Subject: 10 go on an adventure

As the X7 bus trundled up Salisbury road this morning it picked up 10 members from various bus stops.  Some stayed downstairs whilst most ventured to the top deck to grab better views.    It’s well worth it as it’s a lovely ride to Salisbury city as the bus weaves its way into and through several villages on the way.   

On arrival we had 20minutes between buses so just enough time to pop into M&S and use its facilities.    Right on time the No2 bus to Devizes glided beside us and so we were off again out towards Wilton and beyond.    Past waterlogged fields and overflowing streams and other fields of cattle, sheep and a few horses, many of which were still sporting their winter blankets.    There were even alpacas in some smaller pastures.    The bus then continued wending its way over a couple of extremely narrow bridges leading into picturesque villages.    There were many attractive houses and cottages constructed with local stone, cobbles and flint some, of course, with thatched roofs and porches.  The sun made them look even better. We travelled on some very narrow lanes too and the driver had some tricky negotiations to deal with oncoming vehicles, especially one enormous tractor on the return journey    Many of the verges were awash with dandelions and daffodils delightfully dancing with the breeze as the bus swept by.    (Did you See what I did there - alliteration?)

Then it was across Salisbury Plain which afforded us great panoramas of open countryside.    There was evidence of military presence shown by the various warning signs but we saw neither personnel nor army vehicles.

Arriving in Devizes we had just over 2 hours to amuse ourselves so split into smaller groups and went looking for sustenance before exploring the town itself.    It is an ancient town with many interesting buildings and a market square dominated by the market cross. The place reminded me of something between Romsey and Salisbury. 

All too soon it was time to board the bus and retrace our route back to Salisbury and from there to Totton spotting deer in the fields along the way.    It’s surprising how tired one feels even when you’ve been sitting most of the day.    Anyway, we all enjoyed ourselves seeing places we wouldn’t normally see so thanks to Christine for organising it for us. 

Ken