3rd JAN. MELKSHAM to BARBURY FORT, RIDGEWAY

I woke a few times with cows rattling gates. It was a cold night, - 2. At six I reluctantly got out the cosy bag to get water on.  I took the stove away from the hay for obvious reasons. Porridge took ages. , water was frozen. Neil the farmer turned up to milk the cows,  Sunday morn!
We packed up in the cold,  it was nippy due to the breeze.
We went to the house and was offered breaky but only requested toast and tea. They had twins babies which were real characters.
We bid farewell and started walking around 8.10. It was not a bad walk,  chilly when we stopped that drove us on. We followed lanes and villages until connecting with the Wessex Ridgeway .
We were now walking on chalk . The route was a bridleway / byway and vehicles had created deep ruts. The chalk was slime and slip and slop.White splatter went up our legs.
We arrived at Avebury having wanted to go direct to Silbury Hill but was unable to to wet fields so made do with distance views.
We went into Avebury to look at the Stones. , plus quick look around. Twee shops that I had expected to get the guide book,  but had to make do with gps ordnance survey maps. A few pagans stood around in circles. Luckily I have walked here a few times so already knew abit of info.
We plodded up Stone avenue to the Sanctuary about a mile on. We finally started the Ridgeway at 2.30.
We were abit hungry but just got on with climbing up Overton Hill.
It was a dull day,  windy from the south west....a biting cold wind.  I realised then I had left my waterproof and spare gloves in the kitchen on leaving that morning. Not the end of the world but a pain.
We walked on the track which was not to bad,  wet in the odd spot, but ok.  We plodded on,  hoping this eas nit going to be to boring. Plenty of mileage is possible to get under our belts. Hopefully a hostel for Tuesday at Streatley.
We got to the Iron age fort,  Barbury. I felt like we had walked 30+ miles where we had only done 22. We helped push a four by 4out of mud.It was fairly late on stopping, asking a chap for a spot to pitch. We had water from a PC nearby,  so just got tent up climbed in,  in semi dark.  Mint tea followed by filling noodles ...yum!
Seven miles of Ridgeway done. Possible to get this done in 5 days we hope.