A Circular Walk at Compton

I have not seen my chum for a while and we have birthday gifts to exchange, so a walk at convenient distance for both of us is planned.  Read all about our walk, which encompasses the Ridgeway here.
It's a very good path, just slightly overgrown at one point leading to wet trousers, with gentle gradients.  Note that the pub now stops serving lunch at 2.30. 

This is the bridge crossing the disused railway line which was built in the 19th century and ran from Newbury to the Great Western Railway depot at Didcot. Compton station became an important centre for the passage of sheep going to and from the sheep fairs in East Ilsley, which used to be the largest in England. The railway closed following the decline of the wool industry in the 1960s, accoding to the leaflet.  I come from a different historical persepective:  the mood at the time was to promote the motor car and motor ways and run down the railways.  Now we suffer every day on the A34 and can only go east-west from Newbury on the train.  
Read more about Beechings legacy here 
There is/was a campaign  to reopen the line, but it sounds very difficult. 

It was a lovely walk in perfect weather:  dry, not too hot, sunny intervals.  
I make a note to join the ramblers and investigate the campaign when other matters calm down.