South Downs Way - Day 6

East Meon to Winchester
Distance: 19 miles
Ascent: 550m
Weather: sunshine and showers

We retraced our steps back to the South Downs Way this morning, passing the furry sheep again,  who were sheltering under the hedge,  so I had to use the zoom on my camera to get a picture - as I promised furry sheep, I've attempted to take a photo of the camera display to give an idea of the furriness, with less than brilliant results.

There was a short but very heavy shower as we were walking through a field with some very clean looking cows, who were standing in the middle of the path, but one by one trotted off to the shelter of some trees.

The sun soon came out again,  as we got to the nature reserve at Old Winchester Hill.  In the nature reserve we saw a pigeon,  a blackbird and some crows. Apparently Rob has a pigeon,  blackbird and crow song, but he won't tell me how it goes. At the top of the hill there are very impressive ancient burial mounds and forts, which are 4000 years old.

A nice track led down the hill on the other side to Exton, on the way there was a footbridge over the River Meon, where we saw lots of very fast fish.  I don't have a clue what sort of fish they were.

The path heads diagonally across fields, quite steeply  and the Cumulonimbus clouds, which are very nimbus indeed, started to leak, we were just underneath some beech trees so decided to shelter under them for a while.  We'd just sat down when the rain stopped, but we had some tea and biscuits anyway.

The next shower, which was hail, happened a little further along, as we were walking on a pretty path sheltered by trees.

A good path led across and around fields, where we were escorted by a pheasant and saw a red kite and a buzzard.

Under Cheesefoot Head, they let complete beginners drive tanks. Great big tanks. Thankfully none of them came crashing through the hedgerow, despite what it sounded like.

There was also a red flag flying over the danger area, where the military were firing guns. Winchester is a lively place.

We made it unscathed into the city and had a visit to the cathedral,  which is still mostly visible despite the scaffolding over one end of the roof.

We are staying at The Westgate Hotel, which is very friendly and we've even had some proper vegetables with our dinner. Plus Red Cat beer.