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!