Day 11 - A tale of two Avons

Well our week in the Cotswolds had come to an end, and it was time to move south to Salisbury for a week. Originally we thought it would be as easy as catching the train to Basingstoke via Reading. However, it being a Saturday, there were railworks in the Reading area, so all trains were being halted at the station before Reading and bus service was replacing the train. Angela worked her internet magic and found us an alternative train service that not only cost us less, but provided us first-class service for a portion of the trip (and complimentary tea and biscuits).

The first-class service ended at Swindon where we switched onto a train service known as the TransWilts Line. What's interesting about this line is that it's a public-private partnership where the train is operated by Great Western Rail, but with input from the community around when and where the train travels. This concept is seen as a way to protect vital train services from being cut by commercial operators. Our train was comprised of only one car and the trip took us west into the southern part of the Cotswolds (Chippenham) on its way to Westbury, the location of the famous Westbury White Horse, before we caught another train heading south towards Salisbury. The White Horse is thought to be a symbol of the Saxons who occupied this area during the Dark Ages (500 to 1000 years AD).


Salisbury itself is a cathedral city and the only city within Wiltshire. Originally the area was settled at Old Sarum (we plan on seeing that tomorrow), about a mile or so north of Salisbury, atop a hillfort created during the Iron Age (600 to 300 years BC) with views down the Avon River valley (not to be confused with the Avon river that runs through the Cotswolds). This Avon runs south through Salisbury on its way to the English Channel, and has been integrated into the urban planning of the city.

We've booked the Nadder Barn cottage for this week. It'ss part of the grounds of a stately home, Nadder House, located along the Nadder River just west of the city centre and about a 15-minute walk from the Salisbury Rail Station.


It was close to dinner time when we settled into the cottage, and so we headed into the city center for some food and to pick up groceries for the next few days.  As one would expect, the cathedral dominates the city centre, and there is no shortage of pubs and restaurants in this part of the city.


We wanted something quick to eat, so popped into the King's Head pub for a bite (yes, yet another King's Head pub...see Day 10) and then off to gather supplies for the week ahead.

Ale of the Day: Doom Bar, Sharp's Brewery, Rock, Cornwall