Monday 31 December 2012
25th to 30th DEC. SOUTH DOWNS WAY (WINCHESTER TO EASTBOURNE )
I will summarise the past few days. We have been devoid of charging for the mobiles and therefore blogging, wild camping.
We did not have the best of receptions and had to resort to stealth desparation pitching. It did however give us some fantastic spots over looking villages and towns when visability allowed.
In a way the route was the driest underfoot when flooding was occuring below, we loathed going down.
We had some 50 + mile an hour winds beating us up and was more than exposed. Driven rain and drizzle did not slow us. We did not see it at its best but had glimpses of beauty in sunrise and full moon.
There was a feeling of isolation, a lack of facilities had us diverting off route to drop to villages like Cocking and Steyning. What was impressive was the watering taps at fairly regular intervals.
Josh was generally good, at one time in wind and drizzle I had to boost his moral. His boots were wrecked and leaking like a seive , we later discovered holes in his soles. The boots were done and had clumps of mud internally. Credit for J for not complaining. His boots had done over 1300 miles and were almost falling off his feet.
The South Downs is definately an all year walking heaven.
Highlight was pitched in a dry dew Red Lion pond near a trig point near Itford Hill , view in morning and evening was priceless.
Tuesday 25 December 2012
25th DEC. Leaving Shawford Down
We had spent yesterday eve with mulled wine and mince pies.
I woke through the night with heavy showers beating the tent and the odd rumble of thunder. It continued until we left around 10.
Bloody miserable day. Merry xmas xmas.
Monday 24 December 2012
24th Dec. Crossing Totton Bridge , Southampton
Soon after we stopped for coffee in McDonalds where I did blog and downloaded photos.
H J HALL PROTREK SOCKS
The best socks I have ever used....walked over 1500 miles in these and still have life.
23RD DEC.
We as always when having accommodation left around 10. All our gear was dry but due to xmas goodies picked up we were heavy laden.
The route was fairly easy, roughly follow me the A 35 to Lyndhurst.
We tried to get off the busy roads but were driven back onto them by incredibly wet paths and tracks.
I was so hot today, probably 9 degrees. I sweated like a pig and up to Lyndhurst had only t-shirt on...
Plus trousers!
The terrain had been fairly flat and signs of flooding were everywhere. Rivers were brimming.
We huckered down by the car park / library in Lyndhurst and drank a 2 litre bottle of lemonade before walking out and pitching in a damp woodland before heading into a built up area.
We had a poor cup of tea having pitched and listened to Just William with Matin Jarvis live in Winchester ,on Radio 4. I dozed off and woke a few times with rain falling. I was snug warm and relaxed.
Had given J his xmas pressie - headphones due to unable to pack them properly.
Saturday 22 December 2012
22nd DEC. BOURNEMOUTH to CHRISTCHURCH
As we trudged through Bournemouth folk looked at us as if we were tramps. A woman holding a bottle of cider came up to us sympathizing say she lived on the streets too. She directed us to St.Muriels, apparently they give you a free xmas dinner and pressie. We thanked her, was tempted , Josh was not keen.
Later on we were handed a half price voucher for Mc Donalds and stopped there for lunch.
We walked on to Christchurch stopping at a Premier Inn, I joked that maybe they have a key that they give rough looking folk to keep tgem away from the civilised ones. I trimmed my beard and J did my hair. I miss my cap and tried to find a replacement but none came up to my standard .
It was the most xmasy it had felt. We watched xmas tv, fed on mince pies and relaxed.
Phoned Monique having sent her a new years pressie. Was on phone for over an hour.
Sunny Bournemouth
We left late, enjoying the comfort and made our way through Xmas shoppers on route to Christchurch. It was fairly wet initially but dried up.
Walking back to Studland.
Walked back to Studland Post office and picked up xmas parcels. We arrived back in Swanage in dark.
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