South Downs Way -24

Day 2- July 6th

Awoke refreshed and came down to a cooked breakfast. Next to find a sandwich. A path from the side of the pub lead me through the churchyard and along to the village shop. First I passed a hive of activity on the village green where the fete was being set up. One lady invited me to stay and tried to tempt me by saying there would be burgers and cake – but I declined!

Sandwich purchased I walked back up to the temporary path – flooding apparently- having had a conversation with a local that had walked and cycled the path in her past.

So yesterday’s twelve miles was just over fourteen so I was interested to see how today’s thirteen miles would pan out. Again fantastic stretches of countryside with wonderful bowls and undulations. A theme that would continue throughout the trail was that accommodation in villages was down so the start of the next day was up.

One advantage of walking by yourself was that you are your own pacemaker, so if you have a slow stretch it doesn’t matter! Weather was good so enjoyable walking.

Love the colours of grasses when you have that real mix. Could oregano be the mystery crop?

Today took me up passed Old Winchester Hill – quite glad the route was very definitely signed around the bottom and continued to hug the contours as it went around this significant hill.

As I continued I noticed and increasing number of tumuli and earthworks marked on the map. Butser Hill was the next significant feature- I tempered when they first recreated a Stone Age/ Iron Age village there.

I decided not to go up to the cafe – I’d already had lunch and had plenty of water! Bumped into a Beaver/ cub trip! As I leave Butser I admire the sweep of the hill which brings me down to the A3 – and under it before I meet up with people, parking and signs for Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

The path takes me through woods and overlaps with the Shipwright’s trail – some of which I’ve walked near Liss. Quite near to Petersfield at this point, places familiar from my childhood.

My destination is Buriton and another pub! So a long stretch through the woods, the path coming out above Buriton. Do I turn left and go down a steep hill into the village or through some woods with old quarries- I chose the latter as I leave my signed path behind and contemplate which way I will go back up in the morning.

As I come into the village there is a change in architecture and chalk is being used as a building material plus a very scenic village pond to great me.

Arrived at the pub at 5pm but was tempted more by a beer than the football! Did watch most of the match including extra time and penalties so was a little late down for dinner. Some very good fish and chips tonight.

My route for today plus day 1 which I forgot to post – so just over 14 miles again.