South Downs Waywards

 In Geneva for the Lionesses' semi-final on Tuesday evening (which is a whole other story for a different kind of blog), Strictly Lady Lloyd and I continued our European trip with a train ride to Annecy. The 40km circuit of Lake Annecy seemed a bit much of a hike for our 48 hours here, so we investigated bike hire. To be fair, we're not the first people to have thought of this. Apparently, up to 7000 people a day choose to cycle the lake in summer, and nearly a million every year. The first place we approached had no bikes left, but Veloc'annecy came up trumps. Not only did they have bikes available but, crucially, bikes with baskets (for our rustic French picnic). We headed off just after midday this afternoon. On the advice of the helpful staff in the cycle shop, we opted for the anti-clockwise, 'classic' route:  Annecy → Sevrier → Saint-Jorioz → Duingt → Talloires → Menthon-Saint-Bernard → Annecy-le-Vieux. A smooth, gradual tour until the end. (But more of that ...

The Waywards strayed a long way from the South Downs at the weekend, undertaking an organised walk - the Jurassic Coast Mighty Hike half-marathon - for the first time. I realise that makes it sound as if all previous walks have been 'disorganised'. I'm saying nothing. The other difference on this occasion was the addition of a third member for the experience, creating a trio of 'Sole Sisters'.  We were resplendent in our Macmillan Green, though missed the memo about glitter and deely-boppers. I was, however, sporting a shiny new titanium hip, as yet untried on rugged terrain and over distance. We gathered at the starting line at Norden Farm, having taken the chain link from Sandbanks to Swanage.  A small delay ensued due to some dithering over which footwear to select: trainers or hiking boots (went for the latter, thankfully), which socks to wear (I'd forgotten my hiking socks, so begged, borrowed and then bought), and whether or not to take walking poles (did...

Since we last traversed the Downs, the Waywards have had an aborted attempt to complete Stage 2 of the Literary Walk. A route which requires revisiting. In the meantime, a mild and bright October half term offered an inviting opportunity for a local walk.  In the absence of chauffeurs, Strictly Lady Lloyd selected a circular walk beginning at The George pub in Burpham. We parked up and crossed the road, heading through the churchyard and around the church. Once we reached downland, we were greeted by the majestic flight of a large dark coloured bird with the distinctive forked tail of a red kite. I'm not entirely convinced it was a red kite, because the tail was a bright yellowy-orange, but it was certainly that shape. I'm not sure what else it could have been. It was close to us when it took flight, and we watched it for a few minutes before it disappeared into the distance. From open tracts we could look back and just about make out the outline of Arundel Castle against the s...

We Waywards have been thinking about a new walking project since completing the Way. We were keen to embark on the King Charles III coastal route, but information is still difficult to come by and only a few stretches appear to be fully open as yet. We decided to wait until it was a bit more established. Have guidebook, will travel Meanwhile, I had happened upon a copy of the West Sussex Literary Trail book in our local Lions bookstore and, being a literary sort, was intrigued. Thus, we embarked on the first leg on Friday 16th February 2024. We started in Horsham where the trail begins, but in the absence of the Shelley fountain, and until the Shelley Memorial Project comes to fruition with a new memorial in the town, we avoided the town centre and commenced our walk from Spencer’s Place.  We crossed part of Rookwood Golf Course and, after a short while, entered Warnham Deer Park where we encountered several of the red deer for which the Lucas family are famous. The Deer Park...

This was it: the finale. Friday 1st September 2023. The culmination of three years of covid-interrupted walking and planning. The last, spectacular stage of the South Downs Way. The cunning plan was for us to be dropped in Alfriston, then Strictly Lord Lloyd would travel on to deposit our bags at a seafront hotel in Eastbourne ready for our triumphant descent. Perhaps there would be bunting and fanfares... Except that driving to Alfriston took place in near-monsoon conditions. The pace of the windscreenwipers on Lord Lloyd's car was a disturbing indication of what was to come. Marti Pellow sang in a band that best describes how we felt during the first couple of hours. It was 'light rain', true enough, but the drenching kind of light rain that quickly soaks one utterly. A thing that looked good in the wet There was navigating of puddles to be done. Conquering of cows. A longish stop at the Cadence Cafe in Litlington a mere mile or so into the walk in order to see if it migh...