Last nights barking dogs eventually stopped. The de-lamination of my Thermarest sleeping mat that started last night was worse by morning. I was packed up by 7am and away shortly afterwards. Susan wasn’t up so last night’s goodbye would have to do. The roads were already busy with commuter traffic and even though I thought I’d picked the quiet roads none seemed to escape the rushing commuters. Through Odiham the B3349 was narrow and very busy. There were a high proportion of BMW drivers which may be a function of the geographic area. There is no doubt that most of them give cyclists the least consideration. Thankfully I reached the ‘Golden Pot’ and turned off left then right to follow quiet lanes into Alton.

Nice house near East Worldham

I seemed to be through the town in no time and managed to keep on quiet roads until reaching the B3006. Thankfully the road was wider though still busy. I left the main road before Steep and paid the price of quiet lanes. I had a long steep climb but at least I had the road to myself. The roads were still quiet as I rode into Petersfield. Over a railway crossing I stopped to buy 4 lt of water from a mini-msupermarket. An old man came up and commented on my bike and panniers. He began to chat and spoke about his time in the merchant navy in the early 1950s. His stories didn’t make much sense and I think he just wanted someone to talk to. At least he recognised my accent and though I was from Manchester. He wasn’t far out. I rode through Petersfield but couldn’t find anything of interest. I left to the SE to South Harting then took the left fork in the road. I’d checked the map beforehand and knew I was in for a steep climb. I was glad of my low gear and used it all the way to the summit. After a long descent I turned right on to minor roads and started to look for somewhere to camp. I had a couple of possible sites based on the map but the first was unsuitable, as was the second. I continued to the approach to Walderton and found a narrow gap in the hedge leading to a footpath alongside a field. It seemed ideal as I couldn’t be seen from the road and I was a long way from the nearest houses. I put the groundsheet out in the hot sun then realised if the sun stayed the tent would be too hot. I moved to the shade of a tree and put the tent up. Later in the afternoon a couple of walkers came by then in the evening several joggers and walkers passed by from the opposite direction.