South Downs Way - The End!
Saturday 16th February 2019
Did the final section of the South Downs Way today, from East Meon to Winchester. Nearly 20 miles! Alas it was quite foggy all day and not much in the way of views, but it was at least quite atmospheric.
London February 2019
John's Pictures

08:56:26
Where I started my walk, and where I finished the previous one - East Meon church.

08:56:37
It looked very atmospheric in the mist.

08:57:33
It would be lovely to see East Meon one day with blue skies!

09:03:34
I was however treated to lots of snowdrops on today's walk.

09:03:37
Heading out of East Meon.

09:05:47
Leaving East Meon.

09:07:31
The track that led off the road into a misty expanse.

09:14:06
It was a bit misty!

09:15:34
This is where I met the South Downs Way today, much quicker to connect with it than when I'd ended my walk at East Meon the previous time.

09:15:39
Always very reassured by these South Downs Way signs.

09:31:41
One of the buildings of Whitewhool Farm.

09:37:02
Everything looking very atmospheric in the mist!

09:42:16
On the way up Old Winchester Hill. Some atmospheric trees.

09:42:25
...and the atmospheric track.

09:49:09
The sign post for Old Winchester Hill.

10:03:51
The sign for The Hill Fort. I'm sure it was there somewhere.

10:04:54
Old Winchester Hill, a famous viewpoint. Hmmm.

10:05:26
Here I am enjoying the view from Old Winchester Hill.

10:08:42
Sheep grazing on the top of Old Winchester Hill.

10:27:07
Later on, nearing Exton, it was becoming quite muddy.

10:27:13
I thought I should record the state of my boots.

10:31:08

10:34:05
Crossing over the old Meon Valley Railway.

10:34:36
More reassuring signs, here it seems there was a "temporary off road route for walkers".

10:35:01
Underneath the railway bridge over this stream, a tributary of the Meon.

10:36:42
Quite a nice little path that follow the stream to the Meon, I think they should make this a permanent route for the South Downs Way!

10:36:44

10:44:38
Where the stream met the Meon.

10:44:53
Crossing over the Meon.

10:46:19
I havea friend whose surname is Exton, thus the glut of pictures of signs with Exton on.

10:46:25

10:51:06
Snowdrops in Exton.

10:51:45

10:53:48
Houses in Exton.

10:54:14
Exton House.

10:55:20
The Shoe, Exton.

10:56:26
More pretty houses in Exton.

10:56:43
One of the other entrances to Exton House.

10:57:15
Thatched cottage.

11:07:44
I actually managed to get "lost", believe it or not, in the tiny village of Exton, so it was a relief when I finally found this sign post for the South Downs Way heading out of the village.

11:17:44
Another selfie, partly to note my wet hair as a result of the perpetual mist.

11:37:10
The trig point at the Beacon Hill I passed after leaving Exton.

11:57:16
An interesting South Downs Way sign with drinking water tap attached.

12:10:57
More snowdrops.

12:24:41
The hour and a bit from Exton had been a bit of a trudge, if I'm honest - the appeal of the mist was starting to subside - so I was very glad when I reached today's pub stop, the Milburys.

12:25:08
The misty Milburys.

12:31:59
Inside it had a bowling alley...

13:09:07
A 300ft well...

13:12:09
...and this large treadmill.

13:12:14

13:25:32
Back on the road again, and enthusiasm definitely waning.

13:45:23
A lone daffodil near Holden Farm. As I met the A272 here I considered just calling it a day and trying to call a taxi, but in the end I pressed on.

14:08:30
Somewhere around Gander Down?

14:45:05
Nice wooded section (possibly "Great Clump"?) on the approach to the ridiculously named Cheesefoot Head.

14:45:17
Some very characterful trees along this stretch.

14:48:17
Not quite sure what a Teleport is. I scanned the QR code and briefly scaned the webpage and it was something to do with satellites.

14:52:41
Crossing the A272 again next to Cheesefoot Head.

15:13:58
Presumably heading into Chilcomb here, and for the first time I could see more than a few metres in front of me.

15:14:25
More snowdrops around Chilcomb.

15:18:30
A nice old treehouse around Chilcomb.

15:26:38
So, finally the end was in sight...

15:29:34
This was the final stretch of footpath in countryside, across this large field, before the South Downs Way crossed over the M3 into Winchester.

15:29:39

15:37:28

15:37:40
I felt I should wave goodbye to the South Downs here.

15:37:42
Bye South Downs Way!

15:38:35
This for many of course would be the start of the South Downs Way. 99 miles to Eastbourne. Over the course of the last of the last 7 months I'd done that!

15:38:48
The bridge over the M3.

15:39:01
Some blossom by the M3.

15:42:35
Ove the other side, in a park on the edge of Winchester.

15:43:42
I suppose this was to be the last sign I would see!

15:57:38
I thought it appropriate to take a final picture of the statue of King Alfred in the centre of Winchester.