Felt obliged to walk this again as it would make it 10 times! Was cursing myself after about 25 miles, with the usual aching feet etc! However, yet again the sense of satisfaction at the end is overwhelming and tends to overshadow the earlier physical strains! Ended up thinking I might just do it again...
Interestingly, despite 'not getting any younger' I completed this in my 2nd fastest time, exactly 13 hours, and for a change did not need any Ibuprofen (I'm not an addict!) for sore muscles/ feet. I put this down to a longer and more relaxed stride I've tried recently. 71,000 steps this time as opposed to a more typical 74,000 steps for the walk.
This is a summer or dry weather walk only as the marsh areas before Amberley are otherwise impassable. I also found last year that doing it in July meant reeds etc up to 7 feet tall, very difficult to walk through. I was back to the usual May this year and it makes a huge difference with growth no more than 3 feet tall.
Of the 3 pubs that the walk passes I was sad to see that one closed last September, and another looked a little 'worse for wear', a sign of the times sadly.
Overall this is an attractive walk with some lovely sections and appealing vistas that continues to offer a great deal for walkers, even those that have done it more than once! The distance, especially when carrying your own supplies for the day, is a challenge for most walkers, and that is all part of the appeal. The aforementioned sense of satisfaction can last for weeks and I always feel significantly fitter afterwards.
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