Local Walking - Bencroft Hill

We had quite a bit of rain last week and the grassy slopes of Cherhill were getting quite slippery so I decided to vary my route and do a bit of road walking instead. I'm lucky enough to have some reasonably quiet country roads nearby so off I set.
Even though it was raining when I set out the birds were in the trees singing. Though this picture was taken at 9am the grey skies and bird silhouettes make it look like evening. I wondered what the birds had to sing about on such a grey day but they knew a secret... ... as I turned the corner and hit the country lanes the sun came out. I know some might think that road walking is pretty dull but with hedgerows down either side of the lane you are accompanied by birdsong all the way and you never know what you might see round the next corner.

I love these ramshackle old farm buildings. They are derelict now and all fenced off, due for demolition soon. I'm sure the land will be used for some shiny new houses. I know things don't stay the same forever but it seems like a shame to me. I especially loved this door, and the surrounding brickwork all lit up in the sunlight.
I forgot to take a picture from the bottom of the hill that I walked up. But there was plenty of beauty to see on the way up as the roadside verges were covered in a wonderful carpet of snowdrops. Spring is on the way :) Not a towering hill by any stretch of the imagination but there are some pretty good views to be had from the top none the less. Lucky Cows!
And in the distance a view over to the white horse where I was the other day. Not a great picture but this little cow stood in the dung pile made me laugh :)

It's amazing what some folk have in their gardens. This phone box was filled with garden tools, I've never seen a shed quite like it. It's amazing what you can find when you venture out even just a few miles away from where you live.