SOUTH DOWNS WAY

SUNDAY 7TH APRIL 2019 - THE BEGINNING

ON OLD WINCHESTER HILL

LUNCH ON BUTSER HILL

BURITON & STILL GOING STRONG

BURITON POND & CHURCH

WILDCAMP NEAR AMBERLEY

STILL HANGING IN THERE

'JILL' WINDMILL

SEVEN SISTERS

MADE IT!

From the Sunday the 7th to Wednesday the 17th of April 2019, Rubi and I walked the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne. To get to the start we left the car in Fareham and took the train (although part of the journey ended up on the bus due to work on the line). After being photographed by the sign at Winchester's City Mill, we commenced our journey at about midday.

The first part of the journey took us 13 miles east across Cheesefoot Head to Exton, where friend Andy picked us up so that we could spend the night at my house. He took us back next morning to continue the walk, which involved crossing Old Winchester Hill and Butser Hill until we reached Queen Elizabeth II Country Park. We continued through the park to reach Buriton, where this time we were collected by Simon, who took us back to Rubi's house for the night, picking us up again in the morning to return us to Buriton.

From Tuesday 9th, we were on our own, and we walked from Buriton to Cocking via Harting Downs. We stayed in the delightful Moonlight Cottage in Cocking, where they served us an evening meal as well as breakfast. From there we continued to Amberley via Bignor Hill. Accommodation was expensive in Amberley, but we were carrying sleeping bags and a tent, so pitched up at nearby High Titten Wind Camping Plot. Along the way we met Chris, another long distance walker, who accompanied us much of the way and also camped at High Titten. We ate dinner together at the Bridge Inn, but the night was cold and there was ice on the tent when we arose in the morning. Chris continued on his way while we took the short walk back to Amberley to enjoy breakfast at Riverside Tearooms before resuming our easterly heading.

Thursday's walk was a long 15 mile stretch that took us past Washington and Steyning, and over the River Adur, to the YHA Hostel at Truleigh Hill, where we had booked a private room. We caught up with Chris along the way, and he accompanied us to the hostel where he was also staying. However, whilst we enjoyed our warm room, he braved the cold outdoors in his tent. We parted company next day as we headed to Lewes, deviating a little from the official route. We were met in the Tesco's car park by Alison and the grandchildren Isaac and Susanna to be taken back to their house for a couple of nights. It was great to relax and rest our feet as we shared our Saturday with the family.

We were dropped back in Lewes town on Sunday morning, and walked south along the River Ouse to rejoin the official South Downs Way path. It was a shortish walk (only 11 miles) that took us to Alfriston, where we stayed in the village Camping Park. The night was still cold, but not as much so as before. In the morning we walked back to Alfriston village for breakfast before continuing with the final leg our walk to Eastbourne via the Seven Sisters. We had booked two nights at the Berkeley Guest House. This gave us time to have a good look around Eastbourne, which made Tuesday 16th a very relaxing day.

To return home on the 17th we decided to catch the train from Berwick railway station, just north of Alfriston. Getting to Berwick took us past the Long Man of Wilmington and made our total walking distance 111 miles. We had enjoyed every part of the walk and, although not always warm because of the north-easterly wind in our faces, the weather had been generally good.