A Grand Day Out

What a lovely day!  The husband took a sneaky day off, and we headed up to Beacon Hill.  We've never been before although we often go to Watership Down, which is on an opposite hill.

When we arrived, the scale of the hill was a bit daunting, but we set off with a spring in our steps.  We were met by a couple of chaps telling us that they had had to turn back, and the mud was so deep it was dangerous.  Slightly less spring as we pushed forwards.  Well, what a pair of wimps!  It certainly was very muddy, and combined with the steepness of the hill it was a bit tricky, but not too difficult.  There was a guy in his 60's who RAN up and down it 9 times while we were there! 

Anyway, the view from the top was fantastic, and we had certainly picked the best day this week, weather wise.  There was a clear view down to Highclere Castle - Downton Abbey to those who watch it.  We wandered around the Iron Age hill fort, before making our way, carefully (!) back down again.

Pub lunch followed, and then a drive through the Berkshire countryside.  We stopped off at Aldermaston Wharf to have a stroll along the canal.

Knees are now complaining, but it was a great day.