3 in warm with a breeze weather

We were lucky insofar as most of the either notoriously or just seasonally overgrown paths and areas had very recently been cut, so only a stretch of the Extension (after lunch) was a mini-fight with low nettles and errant brambles. Else, there was still plenty of mud present on several of the wooded stretches, of which there were plenty, which was of course quite convenient on this sunny day. Plenty of dragonflies, butterflies and moths along the enclosed paths. And a very fine lunch for us on the Extension in the Fox & Hounds in East Knoyle. If only all country pubs would be like that one...

1 was always going to walk the extended walk to check the text directions, 1 other joined him but then walked the afternoon shortcuts. Number 3 walked the Main Walk. I walked through the Nadder Meadows just after 6 and heard the (delayed) 18.01 depart from behind the high hedge, and didn't meet the other two in 'town' or later on the 19.01, so presumably they were on that earlier train.

I had loads of time for the Bennett Arms and the Co-op, as Tisbury tradition kind of dictates.

6 off the train for a walk in sunny then lightly cloudy weather.

Very fine day out in good company all the way, apart from one who early on went over the ankle upon coming off a stile and then took both afternoon shortcuts, as no cabs were available in the afternoon to pick her up from the lunch pub.

Blessed are the small villages that can still support two good pubs in their midst with decent food quality, such as Hindon is. Both the Grosvenor Arms and The Lamb Inn had a table for 6 available, but only The Lamb had one inside, so that's where we went. And stayed for close to two hours! Very nice indeed.

We got to Tisbury with enough time for a visit to the shop before catching the 18.02 train, with the swollen-ankle walker having arrived on the platform about 30 minutes earlier.

8 off a packed train (6 carriages instead of the usual 9) in dry cold with short sunny breaks weather.

The mud wasn't as bad as feared, although there was one farm track crossing where the 'leader' was in it ankle-deep, the kind of stuff where you sometimes read people loose their boots, but he could warn the others and they then skirted it. The cold crisp air made for fine far views over the enchanting landscape of rolling downs, the leaf colour was still ok, sheep and dairy cows were in attendance, some quite cute.

We got to Hindon around 13.25 and chose the newly taken over (and renamed) Grosvenor Arms (the ex-Angel Inn), which - some teething problems aside - was a very pleasant experience: friendly staff, ambitious food menu, tasty fare and very sympathetically refurbished premises.

There was some bolshy talk about people definitely taking the afternoon shortcuts, because: Who'd want to finish in darkness?, but when it came to the decision point for Shortcut I, all turned left to follow the main route. Darkness really only hit at 16.40, by which time we were starting the final descent into the Nadder Valley, with Messums Gallery in full light guiding us down, who were preparing for an evening dinner reception.

We crossed the Nadder by Tisbury Mill in the glow of headtorches, startling the resident dog, and then saw the delayed 17.02 train leaving. But The Bennet pub was the aim anyway, where we met the two that had taken Shortcut II. The Co-op then provided some supplies for the 18.01 train.

A fine day out in very fine company.

9 hot and sunny

9 familiar faces off the train at Tisbury. It wasn't long before we encountered an overgrown section of the route, with not much option but to plough on through the nettles. A challenge, especially for those in shorts.

Everyone decided to do the extension via pretty East Knoyle, meaning lunch was at The Fox and Hounds. The sandwichers, all 6 of them, enjoyed the stunning views from Windmill Hill, while the remaining 3 enjoyed the efficient and friendly service at The Fox and Hounds. The sandwichers arrived, some opting for an ice-cream, which then tempted the pub diners to finish their meal with an ice cream.

Not long after leaving the pub, there was again a challenging overgrown section on the Monarch's Way. More nettles and long grass to trudge through, the path is not maintained. After that, things got easier, and the afternoon was a mix of shady woodland and golden fields of wheat (?). 5 took one of the shortcuts so that they could pay a visit to The Beckford Arms.

3 just made it back in time to catch the 18:28 train, while the rest took advantage of the 30 minutes before the departure of the 19:03 to stock up o provisions at the Co-Op in Tisbury. The journey was back was quite jolly and we made it to London by 21:00.

Overall, the walk was a good option on a hot day as there was quite a bit of walking in the shade. Just a pity about the nettles.

8 on this walk. Some sun but more cloud with a very cold east wind It was in fact sunny on the train down, but then soon clouded up once we started: after lunch we had full sunshine for a while, however, with it becoming hazier later. The key factor in the weather, however, was a bitter east wind. We weren't always in it - in fact we were surprisingly often sheltered from it - but when we were it blew right through you and out the other side.

The cold wind made me find this walk a bit bleak in places, but another part of my brain kept registering how nice it would be in spring or summer. There were several huge bluebell woods, a meadow that would be a sea of buttercups, acres of yellow oilseed rape - but of course none of these were yet in flower.

Others in the walk praised it for its varied landscape, and there are certainly many pretty moments and various points of interest. Quite a few big arable fields too, but also downlands grazed by sheep. Mudwise there were a lot of gloopy spots, often by gates and in the afternoon on forest tracks, also some soft fields. But quite a lot of the walk was firm underfoot, perhaps because mud is now drying out as the days lengthen.

For lunch in the Cotswoldy village of Hindon we had a choice of two pubs. From the outside the Lamb looked cosier and more charming, but the election fell on the Angel which was friendly, served nice food (even if my portion was much smaller than everyone elses!), but perhaps lacked charm. Most did the full walk in the afternoon but two of us did the second of the shortcuts. Four of us ate in the very cosy South Western pub, whose wood burning stove and sofas were very welcome. One tried the Boot (which does not open till 7pm), found it fully booked, but squeezed a pizza and two pints of beer out of them.

Six of us then caught the 20.01 train, which did indeed have a refreshment trolley as promised by the walk creator - one, moreover, which passed not once but twice. Why is this line so favoured when the London to Southampton mainline never has them after dark?