Tuesday 17 July 2018

Downs Link Walk July 2018 - Woking to the Sea!

This was an ambitious one! Had wondered whether it was physically possible (for me!) to walk from my front door in Woking to the South coast in a single day. Having done the Downs Link the year before I knew it was no easy distance and adding a few more miles on was pushing it, but the idea grew until I knew I just had to give it a go. 

Choosing July instead of April (as in 2017) gave much more light, 'officially' around 16 hours, but with 'first light' around an hour earlier hopefully it would be more than enough. The Downs Link is 37.5 miles from the usual start point of St Martha's Church near Guildford, but an alternative start point begins in Guildford itself. Adding the walk from Woking to Guildford would make this 42.5 miles, plus a short walk to the beach itself would make 43 miles, a mile longer than the Lyke Wake Walk in the north-east of England that I walked aged 15, a lifetime record for me in one day - another reason why it HAD to be done!


The walk date was in the middle of a heatwave with a temperature in the very late 20's, but luckily the route includes much shade (tree lined paths). Nevertheless, there are few places to stop for refreshments, and those that exist would waste valuable time 'straying' from the path to acquire supplies! I decided to carry everything I needed in a 30L 'day pack' (Berghaus Arrow 30L - very comfortable and recommended). I trained with weights in for a few weeks beforehand to get used to it. I carried 5 litres of water, some high calorie cheese sandwiches, 2 x bananas and quite a few high energy oat based flapjack bars. Fortunately, the bag inevitably became lighter as I proceeded...


For anyone interested in doing this walk, my packing list:-


Phone

5 litres of water, food as described above.

5 spare pairs of socks! (Used them all, 10 minute stops - no blisters!)

Salomon Mudstone Goretex boots - super-light, and very comfortable.

Small haversack (in addition to back-pack) for easy access to water, snacks, phone and so on - saves taking the back-pack on and off.

Map - you should take one, but I never looked at it once, the signage is v.good.

Hiking stick, it can take the strain and be very useful.

Hat for the sun, fleece for the way back in the evening, lightweight poncho - just in case...

Sunglasses, Pedometer, Tick remover !!! (O'Tom Tick removers are great.)

Emergency foil blanket, Compass, Whistle, Spare laces, string etc - because you never know....

Cash - in case it goes 'pear-shaped' and you need a taxi/ hotel etc

Small Torch (& spare batts !!!) Pen, paper, 1st Aid kit (Ibuprofen, plasters etc)

Camera!

Shirt - with collar for sun protection


    I started very early (after a grand total of 3.5 hours sleep...), leaving at 4.20am (officially sunrise was 5am, but 'first light' is about an hour earlier), with more than enough light to walk with, could easily have started at 4am. I walked at a relaxed speed (I normally walk fast, but not for this distance!) and stopped several times to take my boots off, air dry my feet and change into clean socks - this way you get zero blisters and a much nicer walk!

Arrived at the 'official' end of the walk at 8.05pm, and the beach just after 8.30pm, just over 16 hours after setting off.
It's a go.

Heading out of Woking via the Mile Path.

Through the Golf course.


Crossing Hook Heath Road.


Crossing Saunders Lane, turn right, then left into this unmade road.


Crossing Smart's Heath Road - head straight on through the woods.


Leave the wood with the industrial estate on your right, turn left and then right onto Smarts Heath Lane. Cross the small hump backed bridge and turn right onto Burdenshott Road.



The Jolly Farmer near Whitmoor Common. Turn right just before the pub to head towards the Common.









Coming into Guildford.

Guildford Cathedral.

Leaving Guildford.


Nice garden!

Turn left at this bridge over the Wey.


Yikes!

Only 33.5 miles to go....

Bramley station, disused for many years.

There are gardens, and there are gardens...


The Wey South Path signage is not as good as the Downs Link!


The Wey South Path crosses the Downs Link here.

And continues straight over into this wooded path.

But the Downs Link goes on, and on!



Cranleigh is expanding. I hope in another generation the route is as beautiful as it is now, I hope so....

Baynards Station, no longer in use but used for filming the Railway Children, Poirot etc.


The Sussex border.

Sussex!

Tempting, but would have cost me 30 mins or so that I couldn't afford.

Now crossing the "Double Bridge", the bridge that is the symbol of the walk.

The River Arun below.


The bridge seen from the viewpoint.

What? Only 19 miles (plus 4 more to Shoreham beach) to go?




Love these huge open vistas in Sussex.

What's his story I wonder?

Of course, this was when we thought England might win the World Cup. If only!


Horses are welcome too?



Some stations have some physical evidence left.

Others are simply a noticeboard with no remaining physical trace.



West Grinstead station (disused since the 1960's). The carriage was staffed and had some souvenirs and refreshments.


First glimpse of the South Downs - but it's still a heck of a walk, more so when you're tired.


Normally 9 (+4) would be nothing, but at this stage it felt like double that...



I believe that these are anti-invasion road blocks from 1940. On being notified of an invasion, at the appropriate time, the Home Guard would have used tractors etc to pull these blocks into place to close this junction.


A memorial bench with a very pleasant view.

A scene that hasn't changed much for centuries?

South Downs ahead.

At last, the South Downs way where it intersects the Downs Link. The Downs Link has since been extended to Shoreham by Sea, my next stop.




The end of the official walk. But for me, it's on to the beach!



Beautiful evening too.

Finally!



   Must admit the last 15 miles were not easy (as last year), with every mile feeling like three, and the walk becoming more of a mental than a physical struggle, but the sense of satisfaction at dipping my boots in the sea was something else!

Recommend it? Only for gluttons for punishment. 😊


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