South Downs Way 2017: DAY EIGHT: BURITON to EXTON

Another kill you makes you stronger day. I'm not even tracking the miles, by the end I'll have gone much more than the 100 or so for the South Downs Way.

The hotel gives you Wellies in case you want to take a stroll. "Stroll" is sounding good. "Trek" or "Forced March" not so much.

In Queen Elizabeths Country Park just outside Buriton a number of paths converge. This sheep symbolized the start of one of them.

The day started with mists in the valleys as I climbed again up into the higher downs again. I'm definitely seeing a different landscape now. Its starting to look like gentler, arable countryside and Fall.

Butser Hill was a doozy of a climb. It was a steady ascent on soft ground. As most of the higher grounds are, the hill had been used by ancient people for farming, settlements and tumuli.

The Daily Good News-Bad News

78 miles behind me, but probably closer to 90 with all the extra walking. I feel it, I really do.

This is the Countryside I Love So Much

View at Lunch

Hedgerows, Blackberries, Nettles, Mud, Cows, Sheep and Far Away Fields

Yes Tis

The mysterious Old Winchester Hill, an Iron Age settlement and fort, and one of many in the Downs. There's an interpretive sign showing what the fort would have looked like.

Up on the earthworks. Imagine all the manpower it took to build this by digging with antlers and flint tools! And from up top I can get a fill panoramic view of everything around me. You can see anyone coming for miles. Though it wasn't clear today you can supposedly see the Isle of Wight 40 miles away at sea. Approaching armies have no chance of sneaking up.

I had been particularly looking forward to todays stage of the walk. I'd heard the Meon Valley was one of the most timeless places in England and it was true. I could easily imagine being here at any period. The pace is slow, it's quiet.

Exton and the End of Today

The Manor House

But not the end.... our taxi driver never answered. After waiting a half hour, while the village went past us, we went to the pub. They had a list of taxis and one said he'd come in an hour. Too bad it was too early for dinner. The Shoe in Exton looked like a great place.