With the weather forecast not looking promising I dawdled over breakfast in the hope that it would improve. It did!

There were a few others at breakfast, one couple who'd done the same as me yesterday but managed to get lost (which was impressive) and another lad who was bivvying and had come in for breakfast and reckoned he was going to abandon, also impressive after just one day. I felt rather smug that I'd (a) not got lost and (b) had the good sense to book B&B type accommodation.

I left just before 9am and retraced my steps of yesterday back up to the Ridgeway. It was dry but very overcast and rain threatened. Not far into the walk, I came to a road with a signpost left. Looking at the guide I expected to go straight on so was a little surprised to be following a road for some distance. Just as I was thinking I must have missed a turning, I came to a crossroads and realised that it was the crossroads I thought I had arrived at earlier! Straight on.

I was about an hour into the walk and the heavens opened, so on came the waterproofs just in time. It was seriously wet. I did think of seeking shelter under some trees but the rain was so hard I would have got just as wet, plus cold from standing around so I continued on. I started feeling damp quite quickly - my new Rab waterproofs we're letting me down already and they haven't even been reviewed yet!

A further hour or so saw me at Liddington Hill which was a short diversion off the footpath via a permissive path. It was barely worth it, other than to claim the trig point at the highest point along the way (277m). A short way down the hill I came to a road and, as the rain had stopped, off came the waterproofs.

There is a section of road walking here which is unfortunate and crosses the busy M4. Thankfully it is short-lived. I hate roads when I'm doing long distance footpaths, they just bring home how selfish and thoughtless car drivers are. A number of times I had to step well back to avoid being soaked by spray or cars through puddles. I was well pleased to be back on footpaths again.

From here it is a few miles of fairly uninteresting and similar track walking until the arrival of Waylands Smithy. As it was about 1pm, I decided it would be lunchtime so sat on the Long Barrow to eat my lunch and admire the work of the Ancients. It is definitely worth a visit, being very similar to the Long Barrow at Belas Knap.

Next stop, Uffington Castle which is a huge set of ramparts with views for miles. It is on Whitehorse Hill but again, the horse can't be seen from the castle. From there some undulations until the final rise and walk up to the B&B. 25km walked in 5 1/2 hours which is pretty much exactly what I was expecting to do.

The B&B was excellent, my room had a bath and I took full advantage. I had arranged for an evening meal as it is in quite a remote location but the owners had phoned me earlier in the week to tell me that wouldn't be possible but they would happily take me in the car to the local pub a couple of miles away. As it was raining I took advantage of the lift and dined at the 'Star Inn' in Sparsholt which proved inspired. Amazing bread, soup to die for and even a simple burger and chips tasted incredible. Of course I had a dessert so left feeling very fat! The B&B owners even came to collect me which was extremely kind I thought.