South Downs Odyssey
Odýssey n. a long, wandering and eventful journey!
South Downs Way legs
Leg 7
QE Country Park to Harting Hill
5.5 miles
We were on home territory today for a 5.5 miles leg from Queen Elizabeth Country Park to Harting Hill. Both cars were needed and Liz turned up in style in her Mazda MX5. A quick selfie at the start and we were on our way, soon encountering our first hill. Shouldn’t really make excuses so early on, but we were both feeling the after effects of the recent cold virus, so there was quite a bit of puffing!
Spring had well and truly sprung and along the lanes there were bluebells, violets, primroses and celandine. The wildlife was prolific too with bees and butterflies.
A break for lunch in the lane near to the entrance to Ditcham Park School then on we went. Apart from a couple of cyclists and walkers we didn’t see anyone else so it was a very peaceful walk (apart from our constant nattering).
Walking through Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Across the road to Uppark, and a brief sit down on a convenient fallen tree, and we were ready for the final push across the Chichester road and up to the car park.
It is fair to say that we were both fairly knackered towards the end, but exhilarated to have completed another leg.
Our 5.5 miles took us 3 hours but this did include our lunch break as well as numerous stops for photos and breath control! Recovery was in Buriton at the renamed Maple Inn (formerly the Master Robert), amazing the healing power of a diet coke and a bag of crisps!