A couple of weekends ago, I ventured across the border from Somerset into Wiltshire to explore the chalk downs around the town of Mere. The morning had been cloudy, but bright sun and clear skies were forecast for the afternoon. Not wanting to miss the opportunity for some October sun, I set off. Walking through fields and over styles, climbing steadily until I reached the top of the chalk hills that loom over the landscape in this corner of the South West.
The view from the top was magnificent, fields stretching out as far as the eye can see, the sun bright yet sinking slowly to the horizon, casting a warm light over the curious ridges and furrows that crisscrossed the ground below my feet. It turns out that the hill is a treasure trove of prehistoric archaeology, boasting a neolithic enclosure, Bronze Age barrows and a large Iron Age hill fort. Stopping a while to take in the view, I found it comforting to know that I was just the latest in a (very) long line of people to enjoy the panoramic views from this promontory.
(Emma)
