South Downs Way - Day 5

Cocking to East Meon
Distance: 21.6 miles
Ascent: 950m
Weather: rain in morning,  sunny but windy in afternoon
Buzzard, kestrels , red kite, bunnies, Southdown sheep
Electric toothbrush incidents: 1

We were off at about quarter to ten this morning,  stuffed full of breakfast and coffee. The weather was not good,  heavy rain and strong winds. I tried wearing my hat, which is waterproof but not when the wind is blowing the rain horizontally into one's ear. Hat was duly stuffed into rucksack and hood pulled up.

Our first notable place of the day was Crypt Farm on the link footpath between Cocking and the South Downs Way, which was much prettier than the name suggests.

There were not many views to be had this morning,  and it was a relief when we got to the shelter of the woods near to Didling Hill (where we were careful not to get diddled.) 

A little further on we passed The Devil's Jumps which are burial mounds, where we didn't see any rabbits, let alone the devil.

At Pen Hill we met a couple of other walkers coming the other way,  one of whom was the most cheery person we've met in, well, ever, and another was a very optimistic lady who'd taken off her waterproof trousers.  Too early. I'd got my camera out of its protective waterproofs,  and regretted that. Especially when the interesting little birds were long gone by the time I was ready.

At Beacon Hill we decided to take the steep path up to the trig point and were rewarded with a toposcope and views over to Butser Hill.

The Way goes towards Queen Elizabeth Park, through the Buriton Estate where you really, really are not welcome.  There were signs on each side of the path stating that the woods and fields are private, keep out, no access, private land, strictly private. So many signs.

Here there was a statue of a Southdown Sheep, well Hampshire Down Sheep (which actually does look a bit different, furry faces and black noses) even though we've not seen any of them yet.

At the entrance to the park there were signs about cctv in operation,  and then no using the picnic tables signs. At this point the picnic table police helicopter flew overhead.

At the Country Park, the South Downs Way has been moved around loads, so we just picked a path that led to a picnic spot that was marked on the map and found a bench at a picturesque spot. The sun had come out by now and it was nice and warm. There was much faffing with socks and clothing. 

After a quick visit to the visitor centre,  we headed up to Butser Hill, bit of a detour to the actual top was well worth it for the views.

Then a fairly dull track led near to Leydene Park and Mercury Park, which we think were army barracks now replaced by huge fancy houses.

The nicest part of the walk today was here at the end, a pretty holloway with very old beech trees, lined with flowers.We risked the footpath into East Meon, which was fine and on the way into the village we saw some Southdown Sheep! They appeared to be pet sheep in someone's garden but still Southdown sheep. Will try and get a better picture tomorrow. We are staying at The Olde George Inn, where I had a pint of Sussex Best and Rob had some Badger Beers, plus amazing food and a very comfortable room.