“O who will o’re the Downs so free…….

….. o who with me will ride…”

An old song which has been going round my head this afternoon. I once learned it when singing with one of the choirs with which I was involved in the past. Funny how some things pop up into the memory.
I just love the South Downs
We went to see some old friends this morning near where we used to live. It is always so poignant now as he is living on borrowed time. Each time we leave we do not know if we will see him again.
When we went for a bite to eat for a late lunch at a nearby Garden Centre after saying our goodbyes once again, I shed a few tears.
Later having ascertained that the Butser Hill Ancient Farm Archaeological site which has reconstructed Iron Age buildings, rare animal breeds and a visitor centre would close in half an hour, we set off once again over the Downs via Old Winchester Hill.
Having used that route once already since being here we were driving along on a steaming road as there had obviously been a cloud burst in a thunderstorm.
Suddenly in front of us lay a huge tree blocking the entire road.
We got out to investigate and saw that some very large heavy thick branches had been ripped off the trunk leaving a huge gash. Around the scar was blackened. So it was caused by a lightning strike.
We were fortunate not to have been there earlier. The road was not closed at that point. And as we stood and looked we could hear a car drive up at the other side of the fallen tree, only to have to stop.
As we turned round to drive back the way we had come and find another route back, we tried to warn other cars by flashing headlights and me trying to make them slow down.
All attempts were ignored so we let them get on with it, until they realised!
Tomorrow we’ve decided to go to see the Ancient Farm in the morning.
Here’s a link if you are interested.
https://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/
We are having an early dinner this evening, so I’ll stop here.
Picture of fallen tree in extras