Stage 2: Wayward Return - Exton to Queen Elizabeth Country Park

 And we're back!

The Waywards Return

After multiple aborted attempts we finally made our return to Exton to continue our walk last Sunday, the 25th April; nearly five months after the first leg. (The less said about our last minute realisation at the beginning of April - that even though we could walk together under the two households rule, we couldn't actually travel in a car together - the better. Who needs to know that we were unceremoniously dumped at the side of the road a mile from home?) 


Pounding the chalk paths once more

 

This time it was all smiles. There was the Shoe Inn, and the stream and all the lovely cottages of Exton that we remembered, and now bathed in warm spring sunshine. It was all worth the wait: we had picked the perfect day to carry on pounding the chalk paths of the South Downs Way. Who cares that we weren't entirely sure which way out of Exton we should head? 


View of Old Winchester Hill

And this walk really was spectacular. I had no idea, for example, that Old Winchester Hill would be quite so dramatic. Possibly best not to mention that we nearly came directionally unstuck there, too - momentarily embarking on the circular route around the Iron Age hill fort.  

Dandelion meadow

I should have realised that spring would bring meadows full of colour, but they were a delightful surprise after the more austere landscapes we met in November. There was lush green crop growth and a winding woodland trail, welcome symbols of renewal in what we hope is approaching a post-pandemic climate.


Just...views

Perhaps we should be used to stunning views by now, but I hope I never tire of them. We had several opportunities for 360 degree vistas throughout the day, in fact, because the route from Exton also took us to the highest point on the chalk ridge of the South Downs, located at Butser Hill. Trivia alert:  although only 271 metres high, it apparently qualifies as one of England's 'Marilyns', which I discovered means a mountain or hill in the British Isles that has a 'topographical prominence above 150 metres, regardless of absolute height or other merits'. So, unbeknownst to us at the time, we actually bagged a Marilyn on Sunday. Not a sentence I expected to be able to write.

Dog-leg from Old Winchester Hill to Whitewool Farm



But what made this walk even more enjoyable was the fact that toilets and refreshments were open along the way (which they weren't in November due to lockdown restrictions). It is with great pleasure I can report on the happy redundancy of the shewee. 

A cup of tea at Alan's Coffee Van atop Old Winchester Hill was the first treat.

Alan's Coffee at Old Winchester Hill

A comfort break at Meon Springs was also an opportunity to get the shorts out. And then what an unexpected pleasure to find ourselves sipping dandelion and burdock, and peppermint tea, at the Beech Cafe in the eco-friendly Sustainability Centre. 

Lady Lloyd checks the next stage of the route at the Beech Cafe

I was nursing an injury on our walk, but the ankle and the knee held out for the 12 miles. By the time we reached the visitor centre at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park we were definitely done for the day. Just time for a well-earned mango sorbet. 


A point where it might have been prudent to apply more sunscreen


This was the only mile marker we saw on this route but we walked on a few more miles from this point. So, after two stages we think we are around a quarter of the way through. 

Eastbourne 78 miles


We were buzzing by the end and really excited for the next stage - though we'll be waiting a few weeks for the sunburn to subside. We have a combined age of nearly one hundred. You'd think we might have learnt by now...







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