I relished half a day wandering up and down the luscious Pewsey Downs, discovering peace at its most tranquil. Deliciously hot and humid – mid September in Britain – a mild heat wave upon us, a day before the flash floods; encircled by sheep, a bleat here and there; a family hiking in the distance; invigorating pollution-free air and a helicopter flying low, its throbbing engine the only sound out of place.

On the southern edge of the Marlborough Downs, the Pewsey Downs National Nature Reserve delivers impressive views of the chalk countryside, famous for the Alton Barnes Whitehorse – learn more about the horse here.

A sunset so vivid, its light changing the shape of the clouds at each blink of the eye: wispy, soft watercolour streaked clouds to the left of the setting sun, a sun resembling the sweetest, juiciest mango and strong clouds as though balls of paint are exploding through the darkening indigo sky to the right. Everything reflected below in puddles of water dotted around the recently ploughed fields. Its beauty left me mesmerised – a perfect way to end a flawless day.

When the weather’s good, the English countryside is a stunning place to ‘be’.