Friday 30th
… A good breakfast, then off through already hot sun; we lunched in a lovely cool wood, and rested for about an hour. Then on over bare, scorching hill, in (me) a bad temper. We turned south opposite Harting, and called in for water at a place where a very nice gardener gave us—for the price of 2lbs, 2½[lbs] of tomatoes and free some raspberries. zfd zwk zfl zfr zss zem zwr
On feeling better … at last reached a fine spot, where we ate a great deal of vegetable stew. Had to move after supper due to flying ants. Bed with dark, nightjars. Saw today a hedgehog also. Trains passing. zwk zfl zfr zfd zwl
Saturday 31st
Up and off down the valley to the next crossing; then through the woods of Up Park by an erratic, long short cut to Compton, where we bought food, and had half a pint of watery beer. zwk zfl zfr zfd zwl zss
Above Compton we had a fine shady lunch, then on through pleasantly shaded walks for some way, aiming for the river Lavant at West Dean and a wash. The river was, of course, bone dry, but our souls and tempers were saved by some kindly people who called us into their garden, where we were waited on by daughters with tea and food, and then let loose in the bathroom. Heaven and thank god for such people. zwk zfl zfr zfd zwl zss
Up the downs by a walled-in estate, and then as the first drops fell, a rush into the private woods to a ? waterproof pine. A real thunderstorm; we donned bathing things, put everything into a waterproof sleeping bag, and in this manner (washed for no-one saw us) we ate rawish stoup from the billy can, by a fire we made from an army petrol can. zwk zfl zfr zfd zwr
The storm passed and we dressed and passed the Trundle [ancient fort] in search of a barn. RAF men’s only suggestion was Chichester, which was out of the question, so we decided to make for home. zwk zfl zfr zwr zwl zss
… by failing light, and with a pause for food, to Up Waltham. Nerves were ragged, and the woods were too dark to go torchless, so we went on towards Chichester and up by the Willow Herb patch zwk zfl zfr zem
