For once my alarm wakes me, I must be tired and perhaps the shelter of the trees tricks my body into thinking it's still night time. I'm slow to get up and go. I follow the rocky track as it leads the way, dividing two fields. One harbours sheep and the other with a family of red kites who take off as I pass. Entering a woodland, I see alone cyclist. They turn off through a gate and I follow. I pass by a fancy estate and hear peacocks calling. Wooden out buildings such as summer houses are dotted here and there. A well kept garden and lawn fill in the gap around them with neat paths marking the route between them.
The woodland I'm in skirts the perimeter and is full of ancient trees. Massive, wizened oak trees loom towards the sky and twisted yew trees line the path, having been planted many years ago. I don't see anyone and the air is cool, almost cold as I amble along in the dawn. Rounding a corner, I leave the cover of the trees and descend down a track. A lovely, lone house sit surrounded by a field of broad beans.
Passing through fields the temperature rises as I walk out in the open. Plateauing out, I head up a hill and arrive at a trig point and a monument marking the surrounding area. I pause for a drink and apply sun cream to my face. Down the other side, two ladies emerges and encourage my journey.
Dog walkers breeze by and I head up over a road and into another ancient woodland with signs telling me so. An A-road mirrors the path below and soon I turn off back into farmland. I emerge onto a country lane lined with scarlet beach trees and pass by many beauty homes down well kept drive ways. A large plastic box appears at the end of someones property with flapjack for sale at £1 a piece - I pay using a pound coin I found yesterday and devour the sweet snack with ease.
Next I enter Queen Elizabeths forest which has a stony, gravel track leading the way. Once up, the forest is indeed beautiful and full of trees. I top up my water at the refill point, cross the road and head up a steep hill. I see a little cafe and check it out on google maps - the donuts look amazing! However when I arrive, they are sold out...so I opt for a healthy banana instead...
I ascend Butser Hill, the highest point on the South Downs way before descending into Exton and seeing as I'm out of cous-cous - only dried fruits and nut remain, I'm chuffed at the prospect of a pub meal and a pint of something sweet. Reaching the pub I yank the handle, nothing. Sadly it's not open for another 2hours, so on I hike and enter fields of board beans. I only have 12 miles left to hike so I start looking for a bed for the night.
Passing a ten mile sign, I check out a few hopeful spots but see the remains of campfires and veto them. I road walk a bit and reach a meadow. I startle a lone stag who looks back at me with suspicion. Down I go to arrive at an old Oak tree covered in moss. There I sit and bide my time until I deem it late enough to pitch my tent. Activities include washing and moisturising my face, eating my remaining snacks, brushing my hair, brushing my teeth, writing in my journal, tending to my feet, stretching and surveying the remaining distance into Winchester.
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