yes.... the south downsway THE-OTHER-direction !
The South Downs Way 2018, 9 consecutive days, Winchester to Eastbourne, 105 miles*
I had a feeling in my water that it was so enjoyable in 2017 that we would be tempted to do it all over again! This time it's completely different as it its the other- way-round, Winchester to Eastbourne, the more traditional direction we are told 'prevailing wind' behind us and sun in our faces, only in the late afternoon! It's a totally different view, things we missed last year would be glaring in our faces this year. Different stops through the day and the highlight of the Beachy Head ups & downs at the end instead of facing it within the first 10 minutes of the off! The only challenge will be remembering the sea should always be on our right What could be more simple?......oh, we are a year older, I am just short of 70 now and the sciatica has been playing up giving me jip in the bum and legs. On the plus side: Lesley has cracked her fastest 5-mile run time by several seconds and we still both do a flat Saturday morning Park Run in around 34 minutes....on a good day and we managed to cajole our local Ramblers group to summit the Malvern Hills on a week long walking holiday.
The Plan:
Day 1; Winchester to Exton village, The Shoe
Day 2; Exton, The Shoe to Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Day 3; Queen Elizabeth Country Park to Cocking
Day 4; Cocking to Whiteways ( carpark and cafe )
Day 5; Whiteways to Washington , The Franklin Arms
Day 6; Washington, Franklin Arms to Devils Dyke NT
Day 7; Devils Dyke NT carpark to Newmarket Inn
Day 8; Newmarket Inn to Alfriston, The Smugglers Arms
Day 9; Alfriston village to Eastbourne promenade
The Logistics : As with last year,the superb Worthing Coaches have been commissioned for transport once again by Footprints of Sussex, walk organisers this year and for the last 18 years of the annual Southdowns Way Walk. Our base is again in Shoreham to the start of each day's walk. They then take us back from the end of each day's walk to our base. 3 other base points at Worthing, Arundel and Chichester do likewise ensuring an estimated 250 walkers and dogs** this year all arrive to commence the walk around 9:45 am.
* with side paths to coach ** 3 per coach max.