Tried this again in May 2019, again as a one day walk. Started at 6.10am from the official start point, and finished at 8.10pm (14 hrs). The weather (low 20's, gentle breeze) could only be described as idyllic! As it was my third time there was no need for a map but the guide book was once again very useful for the tricky parts. Brought a compass (just in case) but also tried the old 'watch trick' for basic direction. Using an analogue watch (horizontal/ parallel to the ground), point the hour hand at the sun. Halfway between the hour hand and the 12 is approximately south. This is for the northern hemisphere of course, and doesn't work on cloudy days!
I took 4 litres of water and plenty of calories (cheese sandwiches, banana, flapjacks), had a heavy breakfast and still lost 3 pounds, it's 35 miles carrying weight so you will burn a lot! Probably my most enjoyable so far as knowing the route better was more relaxing than wondering if I'd taken a wrong turn and would soon be retracing my steps. I shaved 50 mins off last years walk duration, probably because of this.
A very peaceful and enjoyable walk, I recommend it!
|
Approaching the start of the walk, just a few minutes from Guildford train station, about 6.05am. |
 |
| Millmead Lock, the official start. About 6.10am. |
 |
| Someone else is up early. |
 |
| At the bottom of the screen, a drone. Big Brother is watching you! |
 |
| That garden again, just stunning... |
 |
| Space, something lacking in our modern lives. |
 |
| You either get it or you don't.... |
 |
| Sadly only 2 years ago this was a complex of greenhouses growing salad vegetables, soon to be a housing estate. |
 |
| Like the tree, this view will soon be gone. |
 |
| This Oak tree is much bigger than it looks in the picture. 500 years old? |
 |
| Not a bad country pile. |
 |
| Mind how you go. |
 |
| Remains of the canal. |
 |
| The tractor is still being reclaimed by nature. |
 |
| This book is a must have for the walk. |
 |
| A country retreat going cheap. |
 |
| Sometimes little remains of the locks. |
 |
| Now in Sussex. |
 |
| Would love to, but no time to stop if you want to finish in daylight. |
 |
| The bridge has seen better days. Some say this area is impassable in winter. I believe them! |
 |
| Amberley in the distance. A sight for sore eyes. |
 |
| Coming up into Amberley. The town is raised for obvious reasons in this wet part of England. |
 |
| The official end (or start if going north) point. It's up quite a steep hill which is 'interesting' at the end of a fairly long walk! |
 |
| Just over two hours from here I'll be back home. |
 |
| A book about someone travelling down the Wey and Arun navigation in a small boat, in 1867. Worth a read to get an idea of what it was like when it was a working route. The route was abandoned in 1871 as it was no longer economically viable. |
 |
| The book! Don't go without it.... A new edition may be available in 2020. |
