Having braved and survived the woodland scene of my first ever wild camp, I was up and packing early the next morning; ready for breakfast and the beginning of a new day on this promising National Trail.
This walk had originally been forecast to last a good nineteen miles. But, having walked on a bit further than intended the night before, I was looking forward to a reduced duration.
Although I’d left it quite late with the planning of my accommodation along the South Downs Way (we’re talking about making initial enquiries only two-to-three weeks in advance…), I thought I had everything sorted and that I would be able to follow my daily itinerary as planned.
On that first evening, however, my laid-out hopes began to unravel… Continue reading “My First Wild Camp (SDW: Night One)”
Suddenly, the time had arrived. Not even since I began or completed The Ridgeway, I was to being following the South Downs Way National Trail. After a bit of deliberation and some suggestions from others I know who’ve walked this way; I decided to begin in the west at Winchester, to finish one-hundred miles on in Eastbourne, five-days later.
By this time next week, I intend to be more than halfway along in my hundred-mile trek following the South Downs Way. I find it surreal and a little bit scary to think that, come this weekend, I won’t be home for several days… Each twenty-four hour period may prove to be a challenge; but also, somehow rewarding.
There is a temptation and desire within me (although not great in size) to just take the week off and do nothing… I often yearn for a break from the daily grind. But my plans are in place. I have committed to facing this long walk and my finalised plans differ slightly from my previous itinerary.
Walks With Olly 