Saturday, 14 August 2010
Thank You!
I want to say a huge thank you to all who sponsored me:
Mary
Geoff
Elaine
Jon
Jemima
Japhy
Sarah
Robin
Marcus
Lizzie
Jos
Chris
Jonathan
Saz
Kathleen
Rob
Hugh
Ruth
Ric
Copper Beeches
Lucy
PCST
Stephen
You are all stars!!!
I raised £250 which will be divided evenly between Brighton Voices in Exile and the Migrant English Project. Thanks so much.
Mary
Geoff
Elaine
Jon
Jemima
Japhy
Sarah
Robin
Marcus
Lizzie
Jos
Chris
Jonathan
Saz
Kathleen
Rob
Hugh
Ruth
Ric
Copper Beeches
Lucy
PCST
Stephen
You are all stars!!!
I raised £250 which will be divided evenly between Brighton Voices in Exile and the Migrant English Project. Thanks so much.
Leg 2
Day 1 Upper Beeding to Pyecombe
I got the bus back to Upper Beeding and headed up Beeding Hill. It was an incredably beautiful but it was unbelieveably hot. I started walking at 5pm after work and it was still scorching, the sun relecting off the chalk path. I walked most of the way up the hill completely covered in my thin multi-purpose wrap, looking something like a child playing ghost games, but slightly cooler nonetheless. I hid in the shade behind the infrequent trees displacing birds who'd had the same idea while I drank pints of water to rehydrate. I reapplied sunscreen right up until I finished walking that evening and luckily avoided the burn! I finished in the tiny, sweet village of Pyecombe in time for a pint and the remainder of the Uraguay v Ghana football match!
Day 2 Pyecombe to Southease
The next day I set off from Pyecombe early, getting up onto the downs for 08:00. It was a good day for walking, not too sunny and not too cold and the day's walk should have been quite an easy one, being near my home and therefore mainly familiar. I did however manage to get lost in Falmer, a place I walk to almost weekly! I had made an assumption that I knew what I was doing and trundled on down a familiar path, knowing I was heading for a bridge over the A27, not knowing that there were two! I had gone to the wrong one and walked 45 minutes out of my way! Oops! I walked back along the roadside path and found a footbridge bridge with a hidden entrance that I had never noticed before that lead me to a path that wound up a hill and opened out into a beautiful quarry shaped field full of grain crops and poppies, the path followed a ridge round the edge and back up onto the path which often constitutes my walk home from work and therefore back into familiar territory. The path that interlinked two of my most frequent walking routes was a stunning one and a route that I will definately be revisiting. I continued over the downs above the Ouse with great views, all the way from Lewes to the sea. And headed down to Southease mid afternoon. I caught the train home and rested!
Day 3 Southease to Alfriston
I walked this day with a group of friends so we set of later than normal, around 10. We started and Southease station and headed up the steep, curved hill that lead to the downs path. It was a lovely walk over gentle ridges with gorgeous views into the valley from Firle Beacon. We made it to Alfriston in time for a picnic, a potter round the shops and a pint! My friends headed home and I stayed the night in the lovely Alfriston Youth Hostel where I ate dinner in the gardens under the apple tree and had an early night.
Day 4 Alfriston to Eastbourne
Today was my earliest start of all, not being restricted by B&B breakfast times or the arrival of walking companions. I set off at 6:30 with the mist just lifting off the river. I walked over the river to Littlington and saw a family of swans and tiny cygnets feeding in the reeds. I then headed over hills and through forests to come out at the stunning Cuckmere Haven. From there I walked over the Seven sisters which felt a bit like a slow speed rollercoaster but was quite fun. I ran the downhills to make it even more exciting (I'm easily excited!). I came up to Beachy head in late morning and walked over and then headed down to Meads village to meet a friend for a celebratory lunch! We ate toasties and Tea in the The Black Cat Tea Rooms in Meads village and toasted my success! my friend had done the same walk about a decade ago and so fully understood my sense of achievement! It was a lovely end to a lovely walk!
I got the bus back to Upper Beeding and headed up Beeding Hill. It was an incredably beautiful but it was unbelieveably hot. I started walking at 5pm after work and it was still scorching, the sun relecting off the chalk path. I walked most of the way up the hill completely covered in my thin multi-purpose wrap, looking something like a child playing ghost games, but slightly cooler nonetheless. I hid in the shade behind the infrequent trees displacing birds who'd had the same idea while I drank pints of water to rehydrate. I reapplied sunscreen right up until I finished walking that evening and luckily avoided the burn! I finished in the tiny, sweet village of Pyecombe in time for a pint and the remainder of the Uraguay v Ghana football match!
Day 2 Pyecombe to Southease
The next day I set off from Pyecombe early, getting up onto the downs for 08:00. It was a good day for walking, not too sunny and not too cold and the day's walk should have been quite an easy one, being near my home and therefore mainly familiar. I did however manage to get lost in Falmer, a place I walk to almost weekly! I had made an assumption that I knew what I was doing and trundled on down a familiar path, knowing I was heading for a bridge over the A27, not knowing that there were two! I had gone to the wrong one and walked 45 minutes out of my way! Oops! I walked back along the roadside path and found a footbridge bridge with a hidden entrance that I had never noticed before that lead me to a path that wound up a hill and opened out into a beautiful quarry shaped field full of grain crops and poppies, the path followed a ridge round the edge and back up onto the path which often constitutes my walk home from work and therefore back into familiar territory. The path that interlinked two of my most frequent walking routes was a stunning one and a route that I will definately be revisiting. I continued over the downs above the Ouse with great views, all the way from Lewes to the sea. And headed down to Southease mid afternoon. I caught the train home and rested!
Day 3 Southease to Alfriston
I walked this day with a group of friends so we set of later than normal, around 10. We started and Southease station and headed up the steep, curved hill that lead to the downs path. It was a lovely walk over gentle ridges with gorgeous views into the valley from Firle Beacon. We made it to Alfriston in time for a picnic, a potter round the shops and a pint! My friends headed home and I stayed the night in the lovely Alfriston Youth Hostel where I ate dinner in the gardens under the apple tree and had an early night.
Day 4 Alfriston to Eastbourne
Today was my earliest start of all, not being restricted by B&B breakfast times or the arrival of walking companions. I set off at 6:30 with the mist just lifting off the river. I walked over the river to Littlington and saw a family of swans and tiny cygnets feeding in the reeds. I then headed over hills and through forests to come out at the stunning Cuckmere Haven. From there I walked over the Seven sisters which felt a bit like a slow speed rollercoaster but was quite fun. I ran the downhills to make it even more exciting (I'm easily excited!). I came up to Beachy head in late morning and walked over and then headed down to Meads village to meet a friend for a celebratory lunch! We ate toasties and Tea in the The Black Cat Tea Rooms in Meads village and toasted my success! my friend had done the same walk about a decade ago and so fully understood my sense of achievement! It was a lovely end to a lovely walk!
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Broken Glass
Had a slight accident just before I was due to walk Leg 2. I stood on a glass and couldn't walk for a week. I am fully fit now and will start leg 2 tomorrow! Here is the plan:
Friday - Upper Beeding to Pyecombe 8.5 miles
Saturday - Pyecombe to Southease 14.5 miles
Sunday - Southease to Alfriston 8 miles
Monday - Alfriston to Eastbourne 11 miles
Friday - Upper Beeding to Pyecombe 8.5 miles
Saturday - Pyecombe to Southease 14.5 miles
Sunday - Southease to Alfriston 8 miles
Monday - Alfriston to Eastbourne 11 miles
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Leg 1
The first leg of my walk went pretty well with only a day of rain and a few curious cows to slow me down.
Day 1 - Winchester to Exton - 12 miles
This was a gorgeous walk. I arrived in Winchester at about 12, had a picnic lunch by the cathederal and set off walking at 12:45. I got up onto the downs at 1 and the sun was shining, so lots of suntan lotion was needed. I barely saw another person after until I was about 1/2 hour from Exton. I did meet a friendly grouse who ran along a couple of metres in front of me for a few fields. When I arrived above Exton the footpath had been altered as they create a new route to the North of the village and luckily I bumped into a local teacher who walked with me through a field of slightly scared cows and showed me the way to the village. The woman who ran the B&B offered to collect me from the trail and so I called her and she picked me up outside The Shoe Inn. The B&B was gorgeous although I didn't get to see their John Deere combine! Back to the pub for dinner where I ate half a pint of prawns and local trout in local watercress sauce, delicious and then to bed.
Day 2 - Exton to South Harting - 16.5 miles
The day started pretty well, I was out by 7:30 and back on the trail for 8. The walk began along a lovely little stream and through woodland and rose up to the downs later in the morning. By 9 it was raining and then the rain got harder and harder till I was quite drenched. I got changed in a portaloo at the bottom of Butser hill, sorted out my waterproofs and was dry once more. My boots, despite waterproofing decided that they were waterproof no more and so I had squidgy feet the rest of the day! I stopped for lunch at about 13:00 at Buxton, I have never enjoyed a lasagne so much. It decided to clear up while I ate and I took my time so my feet could dry out and my clothes could drip for a while. I set off again at about 14:30 and made my way back to the trail but a herd of cows decided they didn't like me walking through their field and decided to run at me on mass so I took the route through the forest (which was gorgeous but very steep) and got back to the path for 3 at which point it started to rain again! I made it, quite bedragled, to Copper Beeches just outside South Harting for 5 where I had a much needed long bath and then washed out all my clothes and hung them up to dry while I had an early night. Breakfast was amazing, lightly poached smoked haddock and really fresh (the hens pecked outside my window while I ate) poached egg then homemade marmalade on toast!
Day 3 - South Harting to Amberley - 19 miles
A slightly later start got me up to the trail for 8:30. It was a dry if slightly overcast day, thank goodness! Another beautiful walk. Lots of amazing views from the tops of the hills, meadows full of wild flowers and I saw a deer! I made it to Amberly for 3 and caught the train to Arundel. My legs were quite tired by late morning and emergency Worthers saved the day as there seemed to be a lot of hills to get over. 1/2 tube of sweets gives a great kick start and by the time the sugar wore off I had refound my stride! Amberley looked like a really lovely town but I took a wrong turn as I came off the path and ended up nearly running for the train so I didn't get a chance to stop in the pub. I must go back there sometime! Met my man in Arundel and had a well deserved soak in the bath and then out for a massive chinese meal, yum!!! I slept well that night!
Day 4 - Amberley to Upper Beeding - 13 miles
We caught a train to Amberley after breakfast, a much later start than the other days but luckily the sun was not too hot so no sun burn! The walk started easily along the ridge of the downs and continued that way for 6 miles. There were a couple of really steep climbs but all in all this day seemed easier than day 3. I loved Chanctonbury Ring, I had never been there before and it was really beautiful. We ate lunch looking out over the huge surrounding valleys and then headed off for Upper Beeding. The last bit did drag on a bit but we got to my sister's in Upper Beeding in time for a nice cup of tea and then home for dinner and bed!
Day 1 - Winchester to Exton - 12 miles
This was a gorgeous walk. I arrived in Winchester at about 12, had a picnic lunch by the cathederal and set off walking at 12:45. I got up onto the downs at 1 and the sun was shining, so lots of suntan lotion was needed. I barely saw another person after until I was about 1/2 hour from Exton. I did meet a friendly grouse who ran along a couple of metres in front of me for a few fields. When I arrived above Exton the footpath had been altered as they create a new route to the North of the village and luckily I bumped into a local teacher who walked with me through a field of slightly scared cows and showed me the way to the village. The woman who ran the B&B offered to collect me from the trail and so I called her and she picked me up outside The Shoe Inn. The B&B was gorgeous although I didn't get to see their John Deere combine! Back to the pub for dinner where I ate half a pint of prawns and local trout in local watercress sauce, delicious and then to bed.
Day 2 - Exton to South Harting - 16.5 miles
The day started pretty well, I was out by 7:30 and back on the trail for 8. The walk began along a lovely little stream and through woodland and rose up to the downs later in the morning. By 9 it was raining and then the rain got harder and harder till I was quite drenched. I got changed in a portaloo at the bottom of Butser hill, sorted out my waterproofs and was dry once more. My boots, despite waterproofing decided that they were waterproof no more and so I had squidgy feet the rest of the day! I stopped for lunch at about 13:00 at Buxton, I have never enjoyed a lasagne so much. It decided to clear up while I ate and I took my time so my feet could dry out and my clothes could drip for a while. I set off again at about 14:30 and made my way back to the trail but a herd of cows decided they didn't like me walking through their field and decided to run at me on mass so I took the route through the forest (which was gorgeous but very steep) and got back to the path for 3 at which point it started to rain again! I made it, quite bedragled, to Copper Beeches just outside South Harting for 5 where I had a much needed long bath and then washed out all my clothes and hung them up to dry while I had an early night. Breakfast was amazing, lightly poached smoked haddock and really fresh (the hens pecked outside my window while I ate) poached egg then homemade marmalade on toast!
Day 3 - South Harting to Amberley - 19 miles
A slightly later start got me up to the trail for 8:30. It was a dry if slightly overcast day, thank goodness! Another beautiful walk. Lots of amazing views from the tops of the hills, meadows full of wild flowers and I saw a deer! I made it to Amberly for 3 and caught the train to Arundel. My legs were quite tired by late morning and emergency Worthers saved the day as there seemed to be a lot of hills to get over. 1/2 tube of sweets gives a great kick start and by the time the sugar wore off I had refound my stride! Amberley looked like a really lovely town but I took a wrong turn as I came off the path and ended up nearly running for the train so I didn't get a chance to stop in the pub. I must go back there sometime! Met my man in Arundel and had a well deserved soak in the bath and then out for a massive chinese meal, yum!!! I slept well that night!
Day 4 - Amberley to Upper Beeding - 13 miles
We caught a train to Amberley after breakfast, a much later start than the other days but luckily the sun was not too hot so no sun burn! The walk started easily along the ridge of the downs and continued that way for 6 miles. There were a couple of really steep climbs but all in all this day seemed easier than day 3. I loved Chanctonbury Ring, I had never been there before and it was really beautiful. We ate lunch looking out over the huge surrounding valleys and then headed off for Upper Beeding. The last bit did drag on a bit but we got to my sister's in Upper Beeding in time for a nice cup of tea and then home for dinner and bed!
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
My Sponsors
This is a big plea for sponsors. If you can give even just one £1 that would be amazing. If you can afford more brilliant!
Please write a comment with how much you have sponsored me below this post, this way I can keep track of the amount I have raised.
Thank you all so much!
If you do not want to pay via paypal just say so in your message and I will collect the sponsorship money from you via other means. If you post anonymously and do not pay via paypal please email me to let me know how I can collect the sponsorship money.
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
The training - final week!
The training programme looked like this:
Wk 1 8miles
Wk 2 10miles
15 miles
3 miles
Wk3 10 miles
8 miles
Wk4 10 miles
18 miles
10 miles
Wk5 10 miles
9 miles
Wk6 to be decided
Well I think I did about 2/3rds of the walks, I haven't done an 18miler though. There are 10 days left and they will look like this:
Wed - 10miles
Thurs - 4miles
Fri - 4 miles
Sat - 8 miles
Sun - 5 miles
Mon - Swim
Tues - 4 miles
Wed - Swim
Thurs - Rest
The Walk
Friday, 30 April 2010
Itinerary
Friday 28/05/10 Winchester to Meonstoke 10 miles
Saturday 29/05/10 Meonstoke to Heath nr. Petersfield 20 miles
Sunday 30/05/10 Heath to Arundel/Amberley 17 miles
Monday 31/05/10 Amberley to Upper Beeding 11 miles
Saturday 19/06/10 Upper Beeding to Lewes 19 miles
Sunday 20/06/10 Kingston to Alfriston 14 miles
Monday 21/06/10 Alfriston to Eastbourne 10 miles
Saturday 29/05/10 Meonstoke to Heath nr. Petersfield 20 miles
Sunday 30/05/10 Heath to Arundel/Amberley 17 miles
Monday 31/05/10 Amberley to Upper Beeding 11 miles
Saturday 19/06/10 Upper Beeding to Lewes 19 miles
Sunday 20/06/10 Kingston to Alfriston 14 miles
Monday 21/06/10 Alfriston to Eastbourne 10 miles
Monday, 26 April 2010
The Plan
I plan to walk the South Downs Way over a couple of long weekends. I will split the walk into two legs. The first leg I will be from Winchester to Upper Beeding. I will do this part of the walk in the last weekend in May. It is about 56 miles. The second leg, about 44 miles, is from Upper Beeding to Eastbourne. I will walk the second leg over the last weekend of Refugee Week, I hope to finish on the 21st June.
I will be raising money in support of Refugee Week, you can find further information about this by clicking the logo.
I will donate all money raised to two local organisations who support refugees and other migrants. They are Brighton Voices in Exile and the Migrant Refugee Project.
Here is some information about them:
Brighton Voices in ExileBrighton Voices in Exile is a community group that aims to uphold the values of universal human rights, racial equality and civil liberties, by reaching out in faith to those seeking asylum and refugees within Brighton and Hove.
Community group members commit to accompanying those that are seeking asylum in a holistic way in a spirit of friendship and respect, addressing both physical and spiritual needs. Practical support through the distribution of food and toiletries is offered, in addition to assistance when accessing public and legal resources. Brighton Voices in Exile also aims to facilitate the personal development of its’ members through training on subjects relevant to those seeking asylum, complemented by events and programmes that build community.
In the course of this work Brighton Voices in Exile hopes to build bridges with like minded groups from other faiths and traditions, and work with them in solidarity to improve social justice, in the spirit of reconciliation, justice, and peace.
http://www.brightonvoicesinexile.org/index.html
Migrant English Project
* Provide free and informal English lessons for refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants.
* Provide a welcoming, friendly and safe space where people can meet others and receive support
* Provide support, basic advice, referrals and signposting when needed
* Provide free lunch & refreshments during the project
The Migrant English Project is involved in helping people whose first language is not English and who may feel isolated.
The project helps people gain the necessary skills and confidence in written and spoken English and it is also a meeting point for migrants.
The project is about supporting people in all areas of their lives. It is run entirely by volunteers and is a completely independent initiative.
http://mepbrighton.com/about.html
I am currently setting up a just giving page but you can also sponsor me on this page by clicking on the donations button. Be aware that paypal takes a small percentage of the payment, all other monies will be split equally between the charities.
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