JJ sees the boat and walkers safely on their way

The Mike Harding show on Radio 2 last night – start around 20 minutes in: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b01ks5ws

Just set off from Avebury on a colder but thankfully clearer day with patches of blue sky. Yesterday was as difficult a day as you could wish to be walking on the Ridgeway on wet and slippery chalk. But we had a great gig last night in Marlborough – many thanks to Andrew Bumphrey. Also the great news that on Radio 2 last night, Mike Harding played an early demo of The Wanderer, a new song we’ve been using to open the show, and gave the tour a great plug. Radio Wiltshire have also got well behind the tour and are following our progress to the new Village Pump festival in Westbury, catching up with us at intervals along the way. Meanwhile, the reality of walking and gigging hit everyone in the band last night – the transition from soggy tired walkers to a band playing in front of a full house is the hardest part and the time between end of walk and start of gig seems to get shorter each day. But an early night has left everyone feeling better this morning as we set off. Amazing views across to Tan Hill to the east and Roundway Hill ahead of us.

Walking down into Avebury with the stones in sight – one of the moments of the walk I’ve been really looking forward to. Being blown by a strong wind but at least it’s drying me after a tough wet day. Exhilarating walking up on the Ridgeway but we’ve been heading into the rain and I know it’s had an effect on me, heaven knows about the others but I hope they’re not cursing me! Great lunch stop at the Inn With The Well in Ogbourne St George which opened just for us – many thanks to them! We set off for the afternoon in high spirits but the rain has taken a toll. We stopped at Barbary Castle – a huge hill fort. The Ridgeway itself is slippery underfoot, you can see the wear and tear from four-wheel drives – there’s a constant battle between walkers and riders and the mechanised brigade for this space which is precious to all of us. Twenty people strung out behind us, due in the Red Lion shortly and very much looking forward to it!