I got back to my campsite at 9:45 last night and went straight to bed. I was anticipating falling straight to sleep after all of yesterday’s exertions, but for some reason, my brain was still ‘wired up’. I was buzzing and it felt like I’d drank several strong coffees just before going to bed. Needless to say, I didn’t sleep well and I got up at 6:15 totally un-refreshed!
By the time I’d packed away my tent etc, it was 7:30 and I set off to walk up the hill from East Meon, to join up with the SDW.
It was a misty start and incredibly humid, so despite not being that warm, I was a sweaty mess in no time!
After re-joining the path, I headed over to Butser Hill, where there should have been a fantastic view, but due to the mist, I saw nothing!
I dropped down to the Queen Elizabeth Country Park, which was really busy with sporty looking people. It transpired that not only was it the location of a Park Run, but there was also an ultra-endurance running event taking place.
Fortunately, all the competitors were far too athletic for a greasy breakfast, so I had the cafe pretty much to myself, for a bit of brekkie!
After that little pick-me-up, I had a steady climb up through the woods of the country park. The SDW then continued on a series of bridleways with high hedges on either side, meaning there were no views to be had.
This part of the SDW is a joint route, meaning that there are a lot of cyclists using it.
Some of them sneak up behind you at a fair rate of knots, scaring the living daylights out of you!
After walking 11 miles, I reached a point where I had a choice to make. Either continue on the SDW with no facilities for miles, or divert off into South Harting, where there was a couple of pubs and a shop. Guess which I did?
By this time the sun had come out and the temperature shot up, so for purely safety reasons, I headed down to the White Hart in the village, where I ordered a pint of water! Ok, I also ordered a pint of IPA, but the water was the important bit!
I also had some lunch and generally relaxed for a couple of hours, under the parasols in the beer garden.
I re-joined the path at 3:30 pm and whilst there was a steep climb up from the village, the next mile or so was in woodland with a bit of shade.
Eventually, I broke out of cover to my first real view of the day at Harting Down. Yes the sun was beating down, but up there on top of the downs, there was a strong breeze keeping the edge off the temperature.
I soon reached Beacon Hill, where the official path circumvents the hill. I decided to climb up the hill for the views. Even though it was a tortuous climb, the views were definitely worth it!
There were a few more ups and downs after that, but once again what the path takes away in energy, it gives back in scenery.
By now, I was beginning to run on reserves and had to keep stopping, to rest a while. The last mile or so was torture on the feet, because it was a hard flinty pebbly path, with absolutely no give.
Eventually, I reached Manor Farm about a mile south of Cocking. It’s very rustic but at least there is a tap and portaloo!
After pitching my tent ( sorry, forgot to take a pic) I have hobbled down to the Blue Bell Inn for a lasagne and copious beers!
That’s another 18 miles of the SDW walked ( plus another 3 miles toing and froing).
The forecast is for scorchio for the next 3 days. I think I will get up really early and try to get some miles in before it gets too hot.
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