Day fifteen – Queen Elizabeth Country Park to Meon Springs

Day fifteen – Queen Elizabeth Country Park to Meon Springs 

“Hrududil!” *vehicles such as a cars or tractors in rabbit language (see Watership Down)  

Just before I set off on today’s walk I saw a penny farthing and unicycle pass by in the car park.   The two men were riding the South Downs Way in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.  I was amazed they would be able to cover the terrain, but apparently they could for about 60% of the journey.  Quite how the back of the penny farthing rider became so splashed with mud being up so high, I don't know!     

The first hill I climbed was taxing in the heart but radiantly beautiful with yellow flowers which took the mind off the struggle and made it all worth while.  I spoke to a lady on the way up who said she had just stuck a pin in the map this morning. It occurred to me how arbitrary who you cross paths with in life (quite literally in this case!) can be.  Note to all those thinking of an alternative breed to a springer spaniel in latter years: Cocker Spaniel’s are no less lively!  This she assured me with a look of exasperation!     

When I reached the top of the hill I heard a engine so loud I thought a fighter jet would fly overhead at any moment, but after scanning the sky I realised it was just a passenger plane.   I think it was the combination of my being high and them being low that had given the effect.  By sight it felt like I could almost touch it, but illusively, on camera it appeared distant.   

Over the top of the hill and I spotted what looked like a building out of an iron age settlement.   I was quite excited when I saw it, thinking it was a replica, so much so that I even went to investigate.  Turned out just to be a building on a car park!  Still, the impression was great while I thought it was true.   

I discovered later that sheep can snort.  A black ewe was grazing while two lambs, one black, one white, nibbled at a tree close to the wire fence.  I stopped to take some photos and after a while the elder must have become concerned as I can only assume a snort is not a friendly gesture!  I left them alone after that.        

Farther along came the telegraph pole mystery.  The cable securing it to the ground was flapping about, clearly being pulled on by someone or something. Being on the other side of a tall, thick hedge, it was impossible to see and I never did find out if it was someone fixing the pole or a animal itching itself with the help of its cable. 

As I walked down the hill, the path became significantly sunken and at one particular point, tractors were tending their fields.   The sound of the motors were terrifically loud and this is when I had my movie moment!  Twice the farm vehicles came right up to the edge above my head.   So many times I have watched on TV the low camera angle as a cowering rabbit or mouse is confronted by a combine harvester or the like.  Okay I wasn't cowering,  but the intensity of the sound and is towing nature were quite daunting.   Thankfully the farmers know how to control their vehicles (possibly even done by satellite nowadays) and didn't fall off the edge!  I live to breathe another day... as do most of the animals in the previously mentioned movies and documentaries!