The Wey South Path - May 2023

The seventh time now, the route is familiar but still enjoyable, I didn't need to check my navigation at all this time. Have the packing down to a 'T' (see previous walks for what is carried), essentially the bare minimum in a 30L daypack. 4 litres of water to be on the safe side, just 2 litres drunk, some tinned food and high energy flapjacks, but much brought back uneaten, a very hearty breakfast (granola this year) always helps. 0515am at Guildford station, at the official start (Millmead Lock) not long after and at the end marker just past Amberley in West Sussex by 1805, 40 minutes faster than the previous year and the fastest by far. Getting older, but getting fitter, surprising! The weekly outdoor swimming no doubt helping with the fitness, I recommend it.

Perfect weather always helps, low 20's with a gentle cooling breeze, you could not ask for more. 

   Millmead Lock in Guildford, the official start! Not long after 5am.

Old River Cottage shortly after, 1403 AD !

The Weyside pub in Guildford. Coincidentally there for lunch the previous day, lovely riverside pub.

A Swan carrying one of it's young on it's back.

Off the grid vegetable growing, this is not a garden.

The dreaded Bamboo spreading beyond the garden it was originally planted in...

Always intrigued by this house, not exactly crowded by the neighbours.

If only the route were all this straightforward!

Cross the busy road, go through the unmarked gate, and on through someone's private garden...

The house on the hill.

No time to stop, too early anyway, still only 9am!

A brand new road, only 2 months old, not a pothole in sight, yet!

The beginning of the Sidney Wood section, one of the better preserved sections of the Canal route that this walk is based upon.

Peace, birdsong, space, and lots of it.

Surrey meets Sussex.

A rest area next to Gennets Bridge Lock.

Unusual entrance to a home, through the woods.

Hmmm...

A favourite view.

The 18th Century listed Pallingham Quay Farm.

Passing Coombelands Racing Stables.

The White Hart pub and Stopham bridge.

Unusual wildlife.

Greatham bridge.

The South Downs at last.

Seen better days.

Amberley!

The sick joke at the end of the Wey South Path, a steep climb to the walk's end marker :-)

The end at last, meeting the South Downs Way, another walk I hope to do soon. 34.5 miles plus the 0.5 from Guildford station at the start, and still another 0.75 miles to Amberley station before the legs get a well earned rest and the annual 'MOT' is done.

Made the end at 1805, 40 minutes quicker than last year and the quickest ever. Getting fitter or peaking... 

A train ride home never felt so good...