Annie & Grae picked is up at 11.30, and we had arranged to meet Kim and Dave at Frogham ready to set off at 12.30 (faff time included). We headed east over Hampton Ridge, with fantastic views over the plains to our lunch stop at Fritham. As ever, the beer at the Royal Oak was divine - Titanic Ale served on gravity straight from the barrel.
Next we headed across Fritham plain and through Broomy enclosure for a second stop at the High Corner Inn and a pint of Horizon. It was then a case of following Docken's Water to Linwood. We had planned to pop into the Red Shoot there for a pint of Muddy Boot from their own microbrewery, but time was getting on and we decided to get back to our start point. Up and over Ibsley Common and Hyde Common, a final pint at the newly refurbished Foresters Arms in Frogham then home for tea.
Postscript: Having not drunk beer or anything else much for nearly a year, 3 pints was enough to make me feel rotten on Monday morning. Clearly my quaffing days are behind me and I will stick to the occasional glass of celebratory fizz again from now on!