The 9th time I've walked this one now. The route is extremely familiar, didn't look at the guide book once this time, perhaps for the first time. The signage seems thin on the ground still compared to a few years ago, but is there in some crucial places still. Was thinking that I might not be walking this anymore a few years ago, but finding the time to do the Camino de Santiago in Spain is proving very difficult still and this is such a good and useful annual physical burn, it's hard to say no sometimes! Same time as last year, approx 0530 start in Guildford at Millmead Lock, ending at 1900 ish in Amberley, i.e 13.5 hours. Not as fast as 2023 as may have over-done the start with no stopping for the first 5 hours, should have stopped/ rested more as ended up with a sore knee which slowed me down later.
Walked in July this year instead of the usual May (kids exams etc) and the difference was huge in terms of vegetation. On the approach to Amberley towards the end, reeds etc normally a couple of feet high were well over 6 feet high, it was difficult to know where the path was, it was really difficult to traverse and not much fun at all...
Took 3.5 litres of water, drank 2.5 litres and ate very little, just a tin of beans/ sausages and a 200g bag of nuts, stopping just twice for 15 minutes to rest the feet/ change socks (no blisters at all thanks to this). Again, probably should have stopped more often!
Will add my packing/ prep list again, in case useful to anyone doing this as a one day walk:-
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High calorie breakfast - Porridge/ Granola/ Muesli etc
*** Bath/ shower night before, so quick to go in morning, and ensures feet are fully dry - avoids blisters !!!
Sun-cream if hot.
***Phone & charger for train home
Water - 3.5 litres
Food - 3 x easy pull/ no tin opener needed tins of Beans and Sausages or similar. 3 x packs Flapjacks - Energy !!! Plastic Spork, kitchen roll, small 'bin bag' for any rubbish. Electrolyte tablets for water, alternate bottle, don't over-do.) 200g Bag of nuts?
4 x spare pairs socks - at least! (for zero blisters!)
Day back-pack (30L ?), & small easy access side bag to access water etc without stopping.
OS Map Route - print out/ in plastic- if needed (***Wey-South Path guide book might suffice) - available here:- https://weyarun.org.uk/shop/gb/maps-and-books/6-the-wey-south-path.html
Multi-tool etc, Hiking stick - support, probing ahead, clearing overgrown nettles/brambles, fending off dogs etc... v.useful !!!
*** Warm wool hat, fleece for way back if cool in evening. Lightweight poncho (not coat), Light coloured trousers - can see Ticks), cap - keeps rain or sun out of eyes etc.
Sunglasses/ glasses if needed.
Pedometer? Tick remover !!! (I use the O'Tom tick remover)
Compact/ super-lightweight Emergency blanket, Compass, Whistle, Spare laces, string etc - why not!
Cards, (Cash in case need Taxi/ Hotel !!!) ***Rail-Cards !!!
Small torch (& spare batt !!!), small plastic bags for rain protection - phone/ wallet etc
Something to read - for the way back
Plasters, ***Nail clippers (cut toe-nails a few days before...), (Elastic bands)
Pen, paper
1st Aid kit, Medicines - (Diocalm, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Germolene?) (Last few years only took Ibuprofen - essential...)
***((Leave Route Info with someone before you go in case of accident etc)
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Top tip is walk between May - July for plenty of daylight, start very early so less pressure on yourself to finish, be mad enough to start, and pig-headed enough to finish!
Once again, the sense of satisfaction lasts for days, probably longer, that you have pushed yourself to your limit, and beyond.
