Trailwalker 2004: our recce walk on 3 July

Fran, Helen and Lorna (pic by Iain)

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Iain, Lorna and Helen fixing lunch

I sped down to Sutton, and met up with Lorna, Iain and Helen. Then we were off to recce the checkpoints with Iain, our top supporter. Lorna had driven down from Birmingham so that Iain could get used to her car. We'd decided that Iain would meet us at checkpoint 2, so off we went to deepest Surrey to check out where Iain should be. Good job too - the more we recce'd, the more we found that the Trailwalker directions were...errrr...'eccentric' is probably the best word. Lorna navigated, with help from Helen and her OS map.

Then on to checkpoint 3 in Sussex, and after several attempts, we found the right road. Phew. Time for lunch.

Me, Iain and Lorna at our lunch spot (pic by Helen)

Another checkpoint recce'd, and we headed up for checkpoint 5. There was a wonderful argument about whether we were going north or south, ended when poor Iain shouted, 'Stuck in a car with three women map reading!' We all giggled, and finally found the right direction. When we stopped, Iain carefully noted where to drive.

Top supporter Iain makes notes

At the checkpoint just above Washington, we prepared to leave Iain and walk the 10k to the next checkpoint. We left Iain at Lorna's car, and headed uphill. There was a stiff climb up to Chanctonbury Ring. For some history of this wonderful Iron Age hill fort, go here.

Sheep on the ridge

One of the trees on the edge of the ring

My walking poles helped me up the hill, past lots of no-so-young lambs, who skittered away as we walked past. The scenery was wonderful, and from the ridge we could see to the sea. So far, it had been a warm day, with little bursts of rain, but once we were at the top of the ridge, the heavens opened and gave us a squall of wind and hail. Helen and Lorna remembered how foul the weather had been when they did Trailwalker last year, and how they'd never seen any of the views on offer today.

July in England - Helen and Fran (pic by Lorna)

The route was now downhill, and we came down off the ridge in a flurry of hailstones.

Helen and Lorna check the route

Our legs got very wet, courtesy of the long wet grass along the path, but we headed in good order down towards Botolphs. We met up with Iain, and drove on to the hanger at checkpoint 7, where curry will be on offer. Then to Brighton, where I said my goodbyes at the rail station.

A lovely day but yikes!! in a fortnight I'll be walking 62 miles...mad or what.