End of the Path

We finally finished the Ridgeway. It took us so long we have forgotten when we started, but several years ago now. We began walking on weekends and evenings and have now walked from home to the start of the path and then the whole length of 87 miles. Lots of looking back over our shoulders at the distances we have covered and driving out to a new starting point or home again on a parallel road; the Ridge is the most recognisable feature of the Chiltern hills. We went east to west and there was no walk when we didn't stop several times to marvel at the view, often enhanced by the sunset we were walking into. Apparently many walkers prefer walking with the wind at their back but I like my hair swept off my face. The ground, being high and chalky was almost always good for walking and supports the prettiest flora. Earlier in the year we saw cowlips then orchids and now harebells scattering the slopes. All along the way Red Kites, buzzards, sparrow hawks and kestrels flew alongside, above and sometimes below us and this month we walked through clouds of butterflies: whites of all sizes, brimstones, blues, tortoiseshells, skippers and gatekeepers. Thank goodness the sun has come out at last!