08:23:36
I set off from the hotel at 8am, but it took a good half an hour just to get through Petersfield. Here I am walking through a park somewhere in Petersfield.08:42:27
Some steps.08:43:13
A little country lane which leads to Buriton.08:44:36
Nice old sign.
08:44:39
The country lane leading to Buriton.08:49:16
A farm I passed.08:52:32
Me on the road.09:02:52
In Buriton now, and here's another nice old sign. I'd been walking an hour by this point and still hadn't actually made it to the South Downs Way yet. Should have stayed last night in Buriton!
09:03:37
The Five Bells as I was passing.09:10:18
Buriton pond.09:12:02
Nice little lane leading off from Buriton pond.09:13:50
Going under the railway track here.
09:14:19
Interesing lichen.09:16:43
Apparently there used to be a chalk mine here.09:20:16
So here I am, an hour and a half into my walk, and I've only just joined the South Downs Way!09:31:12
I actually didn't follow it very closely to begin with either, as I tried to make a more direct route through the rather bland Queen Elizabeth Country Park.
09:51:53
Nearly through the Queen Elizabeth Country Park.09:53:57
09:57:40
Very subtle marker for the South Downs Way here where it crosses under the A3.10:01:29
Finally after crossing the A3 I was in something which felt like "proper" open countryside - this is Butser Hill.
10:07:41
The views back down to the A3 from Butser Hill.10:11:54
Further up Butster Hill. I could just see the sea from this high up.10:11:59
Zoomed in a bit so you can see the sea... oh, and the A3.10:16:02
10:18:12
A fallen over South Downs Way signpost.10:21:28
More South Downs Way sign posts.10:24:25
10:31:09
The South Downs Way then followed a road for a bit, which was a tad disappointing - I thought I had finally reached open countryside!
10:31:11
10:39:15
Different South Downs Way signposts here.10:39:55
Watched this bird of prey swooping about for a bit. Unfortunately even with the zoom it's just a line on this photo.10:43:47
I seem to mostly just be taking pictures of the signposts today!
10:45:52
Fairly pleasant rolling hills here.10:55:09
More signposts.10:55:25
Silly selfie. I actually made an executive decision at this point to part ways with the South Downs Way, and head for East meon. I had originally hoped to get all the way to Exton, but there didn't seem to be a bus back to Petersfield from there on Saturdays. Also I was already getting hungry and wanted some lunch!10:57:04
Nice path heading down to East Meon.
11:04:26
Some barns, marked on the OS map as Upper Barnes.11:05:47
Nice tree lined lane.11:09:09
A carved owl beside the track.11:16:47
Around here is the source of the River Meon. Lovely clear waters here.
11:17:09
11:31:09
I took a slightly indirect route into East Meon to avoid having to walk along the road. This footpath skirted round the edges of some fields.11:38:22
Duncoombe Cottage. Looked pleasingly isolated.11:38:24
Closer zoomed in photo of Duncoombe Cottage.
11:49:31
Entering East Meon now. Quite a pretty village.11:49:57
11:52:13
More pretty houses in East Meon. Obviously would look nicer in more picturesque weather!11:53:33
Church Street in East Meon, with the George Inn.
11:54:03
Nice sign in the middle of the village.11:56:28
The church in East Meon.11:58:11
The George Inn. I considered this for lunch but it looked a bit too gentrified for my liking.11:58:44
11:59:54
Pleasingly higgledy piggledy mix of architectural styles.12:00:41
I found these mermaid / unicorn motifs intriguing.12:00:46
12:01:51
A neat row of cottages alongside the river.
12:02:10
12:33:29
I decided to have lunch at the Izaak Walton instead, the other pub in the village.12:33:36
The Meon running through East Meon.12:40:41
Last shot of the river before heading to get the bus back to Petersfield.