As we leave Alton it is a beautiful day with vendors setting up for a street market. Continuing on we went under another viaduct of the Watercress line.
The Watercress line as I mentioned is now a excursion line operating between Alresford and Alton but was founded in 1865 and got its name from the product it often hauled from this agricultural region. It was important in World War II helping to haul troops and materials from the area to the port at Southampton.
I wish I could take credit for the picture above but I can’t as each time it came by we were either not in position or not quick enough to get a shot. But the chugging of the engine and the big pitched whistle sounded like something out of a movie in the 50’s, very cool.
The day was beautiful and we moved through many fields and horse farms with an occasional impressive manor house.
The area resembles central Illinois other than the massive manor houses.
Along the way we came upon a restoration shop specializing in Austins. I thought the vehicle below looked the the Weasley’s car in Harry Potter.
This trek is not well marked and we have had to rely on gpx files downloaded to my all trails app. This bridge distracted us into about a 200 yard deviation.
After a long day of hiking we bedded down at the Alton house hotel. I grew up in Alton, but on the Mississippi in Illinois not Hampshire UK. Tomorrow we head to Farnham.
Lou Hikes? 
I think you should come with me next year and hike the Caucasian’s and sleep in a yurt. Oh and did I mention eating bread soaked in hot yak fat with a cup of equally hot tea?
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I’m jealous. Love the UK countryside. I had an office in Woking for 15 years. Stop in a few pubs. Engage the locals. Have a great time!
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It is so cool that you are in Alton UK. Happy hiking and congrats on the good weather.
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