South Downs Way -24

Day 3 – July 7th

Another comfortable night, I was apparently upgraded from the attic so I could have a shower. Nightingale Room – two cupboard doors – one with a loo and basin behind and the other with a shower cubicle, so the bath mat was on the bedroom carpet – could just say creative use of space. Chose to stick to just continental this morning as cooked would have cost extra! Bought a packed lunch from the pub as no alternative and then waited for the torrential rain to stop!

After a while it seemed to have paused so I set off. I’d been directed by the landlady to go between the church and pond and follow the footpath, which led to the Milky Way, and then joined the SDW. That way, same distance but avoided a steep uphill and a trudge along a road!

Didn’t pause for long, waterproof on and quite a downpour – wet grass, wet boots – again! I’d been looking forward to this section as the views were out over familiar places. Friends from school had lived in Totton and Elsted, camped as a guide at Stedham and can still remember the very dramatic thunderstorm one night. More recently walked at Woolbedding and then of course there is Midhurst itself.

Quite an on top of the world feel to start with today as the land falls steeply to the north but also away to the south. No straight lines though, plenty of swirls and dips. The chalk land flowers are becoming even more evident. Nature is so clever with complimentary colours. South Harting is nestled under the escarpment and Blackdown – the highest peak in Sussex, must be out there somewhere!

This section, as I approach Harting Hill has the whole texture and feel of what I remember from the South Downs as a child. Some wide grassy tracks, short grass and bits of chalk popping through and edged with wild flowers. The pyramidal orchids are abundant here, such a joy to see.

I wish I could remember where we came to in the sixth form and spotted musk orchids. I can still remember the xerophytic adaption of plants – daisies with their leaves flat to the grass- difficult to nibble but also cuts down on water loss as the stoma, tiny pores, are on the undersurface of the leaf. I also noticed along this section the way that plants and then shrubs had reclaimed land previously grazed, scrub land.

It did feel a bit fraudulent going round Beacon Hill, but it’s where the path is signed. I guess some of this is because most of the trail is intended for foot, bike and horse.

Not sure what I think of these distance reminders!

The meadow flowers and variety of species has me stopping too often but I am enjoying soaking it up.

I take a quick detour to see the ‘Devil’s Jumps’ above Treyford Hill. They are Bronze Age burial mounds, it’s just the thought of people inhabiting this area so many thousands of years ago.

After Didling Hill and Lynch Down the path begins to drop down to the main road between Midhurst and Chichester. I’m quite glad that tonight I’m not dropping down to the village of Cocking, but ‘glamping’ in a shepherd’s hut at a farm just across the road. The fence behind my abode is a couple of metres from the path!

Should have said the rain although very heavy didn’t last too long and I soon dried out and could take off my coat. Advertised as 11 miles it was just over 12 today. A great section.