Day 4 begins.
Will post a proper update tonight. Have delayed setting out. Have been waiting for this drizzle to disappear, and this pub is far too warm and welcoming! But the day is wasting, so nothing for it but to pull out the wet weather gear and get moving again…
*
Slow going and miserable weather. Drizzle and mist for more or less the whole way. But warm too, so quite stifling under the dense trees at times.
Started with long trundle through trees back up onto The Way from South Harting, where we spent last night in a cosy little B&B. Rewarded with some pretty great views back across the the valley. The village church steeple like a ship’s mast above the dark treetops, and last night’s rain rising in wisps of white mist far below.
One thing about being up on the Downs is you can see the weather changes miles out. And as we walked along the escarpment of Harting down, I could watch as the next dense cloud bank rolled in, heavy with mist and flurries of fine rain that stayed with us for the rest of the day.
Much of today’s walk has then alternated between the mist-shrouded paths over bare hilltops, or beneath the dripping canopies of dense woodland. Progress is often painfully slow when having to take care with every footstep as you descend the damp chalk and flint pathways. Sun baked and then rain sodden, the summer chalk is just as treacherous as winter ice in these conditions.
Had intended on walking about another 3 or 4 miles today, and to look for a suitable place for our first spot of wild camping. But the conditions got the better of both of us, so when The Way passed right by a handsome little cottage with a vacant shepherd hut that was available to walkers, we decided to treat ourselves to some ‘Glamping’ for the night!
Sméagol looks very tired. And the poor old boy is hobbling about a little tonight. So I’m going to start massaging his muscles at the start and end of each day’s walk from now on.
He’s still in good spirits though. Let’s hope tomorrow gives us nicer weather.
Some Things Written 