A drizzly but quite warm start had us donning then removing then donning again waterproof jackets but the weather steadily improved through the morning. After a brief stop at Seven Barrows we set off up to the top of Blowingstone Hill where Phil, delayed getting to Wantage, was waiting for us.
Having abandoned the idea of a picnic lunch there was no need for a stop at Uffington. The main climb of the day was Knighton Hill to the Ridgeway, slightly muddy and potholed but fine for standard roadbike tyres. Waylands Smithy was then only half a kilometre along one of the flattest parts of the Ridgeway, again easily rideable. By this time the sun was making an occasional appearance (a picnic would have been possible after all!) to brighten up the photos.
A gentleman there told us the local legend of Wayland Smithy: "The smith there will shoe a horse for a passer-by, if a coin is left on the stone and the traveller leaves him alone while he works. But if you try to watch the smithy, the magic will not work."
Returning to the Springline road we were soon esconced at a table outside the Ashbury Cafe enjoying hot drinks, toasties and baguettes. On arriving back in Wantage four of us enjoyed a quick beer in front of the KAH.