11th March - Meon Stoke to Winchester - 14.3 miles. Total so far - 54.7 miles

We left Meon Stoke and climbed Beacon Hill under a brightening sky, 

with distant views back across the Meon Valley.

Spring has clearly sprung when there are very young calves in the fields 
and the primroses are out.
There was a cool wind but we eventually found a sheltered corner for a quick sandwich stop
and I unleashed my poncho again....!
Sally thought I looked like a gnome but when needs must.....!!?
Then onwards.....
and composure soon regained.
We watched a kestrel , scouting the field ahead before it landed on a tree just in front of us.
The trail passes above Chilcombe Down - a vast natural bowl where apparently on the eve of the D-Day landings, Eisenhower addressed 100,000 soldiers on the battle ahead!! 

Then, back to the 21st century...the final descent to Winchester, crossing over the M3 
before arriving at the river
 and the Cathedral 
which we decided we'd visit properly tomorrow.
After checking in to our B&B and watching an impressive French win at Twickenham (10-53) it was down to the Wykeham Arms for supper and a pint of Gales' Seafarer's
Very drinkable!! I might just have another!!

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