Cheriton [Holden Farm] to Exton (South Downs Way 2)

We started our second leg of the South Downs Way with the weather forecast promising a nice sunny day, but for most of the way it was very grey. It was at least quite mild.

We set off from Holden Farm on the A272 and headed south through farm buildings. I liked the sculptural properties of a fallen tree at the edge of the farm - it reminded me of similar ones we saw a few months back on the beach in Tulum in Mexico.

Heading uphill between some trees I spotted my first Speckled Wood of the year ...

... and very soon afterwards my first male Orange Tip. (Only the male has an orange tip to its upper wings - this could just be spotted on this specimen.)

We headed almost due south through farm land and climbed steadily to emerge by a pub, The Milburys. We followed the road, now heading west and had some pleasant views to the north east ...

... and north. Both were dominated by brilliant yellow rape fields and hazy sky.

Mercifully we soon found a footpath parallel to the road and followed this to reach Wind Farm, where we walked through the farm yard and then took a field edge track, now heading south west.

Soon we headed a lot of yapping and sound of horns: it was some hunting types who turned out to be training their dogs. They were very friendly and pleasant - we didn't enquire exactly to what use the dogs were to be put.

Soon after we passed Lomer Farm I was delighted to spot a pristine Peacock sitting on the ground, as they do.

Soon afterwards a nice male Brimstone perched on a bluebell obliged for a photo

This was part of nice little blue bell clump.

The next major landmark was Beacon Hill (201m). The signs and the map were slightly at odds, but we successfully passed to the west of the hill ...

... and followed the path downhill and across fields to reach Exton, today's target destination. Here is Exton church.

Conditions: mild but grey.

Distance: 5.5 miles.

Map: Explorer 132 (Winchester, New Alresford & East Meon).

Rating: four stars. A good day for early season butterflies: a Holly Blue and a Red Admiral also spotted.

Winchester to Cheriton (South Downs Way 1)

Winchester Cathedral

Last year was dominated by doing up our new house, but this year we intend to get back to normal life by doing some long distance paths. We decided we would start with the South Downs Way, 100 or so miles from Winchester to Eastbourne. The day we chose to get started turned out to be quite misty and the great Cathedral, consecrated in 1093, could not be seen clearly.

Actually, when I hear the words "Winchester Cathedral" I think of the song by the New Vaudeville Band released in 1966: "Winchester Cathedral / You're bringing me down / You stood and you watched as / My baby left town…"

We headed around the south side of the church and had a wonderful view of the flying buttresses as we walked through them.

A little further on, if I have understood correctly, was the footprint of the original Saxon church, known as Old Minster.

We passed a couple of fine old buildings ...

... and left the Cathedral precinct by the Kingsgate.

We passed Winchester College (I think the New Vaudeville Band were pupils there) and headed past the Bishop's Palace. Only the modern buildings could be clearly seen, but the medieval buildings could be glimpsed in the background.

We managed to find our way out of Winchester (this seems to be generally regarded as the greatest navigational challenge on the South Downs Way) with only one slight detour and crossed a bridge over the busy M3. Almost immediately we were in the country, heading east along a field-edge path.

We reached the village of Chilcomb and began to climb steadily. As we reached the top we passed this delightful drift of snowdrops on a bank outside a house.

Further on the hedgerow was covered with Old Man's Beard.

We passed under the top of Telegraph Hill (one of many of the same name) and crossed the busy A272 by Cheesefoot Head. This overlooks a large natural amphitheatre and a helpful information panel told how General Eisenhauer spoke to 100, 000 troops there just before D Day.

We could see even less now, but the narrow path through a clump of trees was pleasingly atmospheric.

At the end of this we turned right onto a track called, rather grandly, Kings Way and followed this for a couple of miles to a point just near Cheriton. I tried to capture a few skeletal trees across the fields, but without great success.

The only interesting development was when four black SUVs came from the opposite direction and roared past. We speculated inconclusively about their purpose and destination,

At this point, near Holden Farm, we decided the only sensible strategy was to detour to Cheriton and hope to summon a taxi to the pub there (the Flower Pots -  a nice village pub, very friendly and helpful customers and staff). This worked well and we were soon back in Winchester.

Conditions: cool, grey.

Distance: 6.5 miles along the SDW plus over a mile detour.

Map: Explorer 132 (Winchester, New Alresford & East Meon).

Rating: four stars.