First time on the route - a (brief) account

June 1st saw the whole team meet up early in the QECP car park to tackle the South Downs Way to just past CP1 on the route...a walk of around 20km.

Having trained for the first few months around the hills and moors of the New Forest and eastern trails of the South Downs Way, today was our first opportunity to get together on the real route. A gorgeous start to the day heading off up the path from the car park with a few other hardy souls on foot and on bikes. A fairly gentle, but long, climb out of the Park led to a fairly steep climb down (one for later in reverse)!

Lumps and bumps led us on towards CP1 just before Harting Down and Beacon Hill - plenty of hardened cyclists were out trying their damndest to negotiate the flint and chalk of the uphills (we found out there was a cycling event on our return). We made it with no problems to CP1 and then onwards to the top of Harting for our half-way picnic and rest.

The view was absolutely beautiful from the top and we had lovely sunshine on which to feast (as well as our pork pies, peanut butter sarnies, pizza and bananas!). We were also entertained by the remote controlled gliders being flown from the ridge (I use the term entertained loosely I hasten to add!!).

We had to leave to return to QECP after about 20 mins as we had afternoon appointments to make. So with a full belly and the sun on our backs, we headed back downhill towards CP1 and home.

We can't leave this blog without the mention of our encounter with a serial entrepreneur. Readers of other Trailwalker blogs and any trekkers of the SDW out there will know of him. An Alan Sugar in the making? I am sure of that. Half-way between CP1 and the start, you'll find a little shack across from a house at a cross-road in the paths. Every weekend day from about 11am, you'll find a young lad selling ice lollies from the pack at a very reasonable price! I can only imagine come Trailwalker day, he (and his supplier parents) will be praying for a beautiful day and hundreds of participants looking for a sneaky early treat. He's saving up for Star Wars lego pieces we believe, so why not stop and help this young lad realise his dream!?

Back to QECP in good time...a relaxed 20km in 4 hours...and an enjoyable first experience. The next blog will be our second outing on the SDW - and our first overnight experience!