Strong To The Final Furlong...

We had this Saturday marked in our diaries for some time. This was to be the biggest one to date (until it was prematurely eclipsed by Jo, Gem & Gubbs' walk along the Clarendon Way a couple of weeks ago). This was Stage 7 to the end, 25 miles.

With Gem still feeling some of the effects from the walk a couple of weeks ago, she decided to provide support team cover for us, and even managed to rope in friend Anna to assist and provide company for the day.

Our starting point was a lay by on the A283 relatively near the checkpoint in Botolphs. From here we were able to join the Trailwalker route by the river easily and proceeded on through Upper Beeding, before heading to the dreaded climb out of the village.

The hill that just keeps on giving

We knew what was coming after having done this stage previously. So we made ourselves comfortable, shedding the extra layers of clothes that we would no longer need for the climb, for this would really work up a sweat!

When you get to the top and look back towards the village, you see yourself how far up you have climbed.

We walked on after a quick viewing stop (aka breather). We were headed for Devils Dyke where our support crew would be waiting.

On this section we passed a number of 4 strong teams of young lads we presume were doing DofE, or a scout trip, or something. We passed many of them looking enviously at our light day packs compared to their heavy bags laden with camping gear. This was also when Jo revealed her competitive streak asking if it was just her or "do you just want to get past anyone who is walking in front of you?" We can only imagine the kind of pace Jo'll be looking to lay down on Trailwalker day with hundreds of teams out there!

Further along this section we were dodging the minefield of cowpats and cattle which led Julie to dub this Pat Land (though we thought there was no picture necessary for the blog...)

View from Devil's Dyke car park

As we approached Checkpoint 7 at Devils Dyke we called our support crew to let them know we were almost there, to find that they were not yet! This had us wondering what they have been up to the last two hours! Thankfully they arrived just before we did, apparently fresh from a hot chocolate at Marks & Spencer's and a stroll along the beach in Shoreham!

This is the first time we've had a support crew and we felt almost pampered at the service we were receiving. The car park at Devils Dyke was not too busy with just a group of motorcyclists riding up to catch some of the views.

Heading to Jack & Jill

After a 10 minute break we headed off again on the next stage, momentarily jumping out of the way of a group of cyclists heading down the hill. We had our revenge shortly afterwards though when tackling another incline. These boots were made for climbing, and their bikes (or legs at least) perhaps were better suited for downhill. We overtook the cyclists one by one (perhaps taking in some of Jo's competitive streak).

At the top of this hill we could see the Jack & Jill windmills which is the location for the next checkpoint. Gubbs' phone was chiming to indicate an email which turned out to be a notification of sponsorship! Thanks Elisa for the very well timed sponsorship which had us beaming as we walked on.

Julie's worked flint find

This downhill section towards the A23 crossing was also an unsuspecting place for Julie to make an archaeological find, but nevertheless, she picked up a piece of flint that had been worked into a tool. She explained how the shape on one side is only ever formed by the breaking by force and the claw like workings had also been worked out to form a tool. This was an exiting find, which required an excited picture at the checkpoint!

Unknown to us, Gem and Anna were watching from the windmills and they could just about make us out as we walked down the hill.

When we got to the checkpoint Gem and Anna had coffee and hot chocolate ready for us with a blanket laid out ready for stretches. What service! It wasn't a cold day but something different to drink from water and energy drinks was well received.

Nice view for a stretch

This was also our lunch stop and we tucked into the sandwiches and pasta made the night before and enjoyed the views from Jack & Jill car park.  We stretched a little and applied the sun cream at this checkpoint as the sun was quite strong.

We left our support crew after a 30 minute lunch break, probably our longest ever, and headed out on stage 9, the last unknown quantity for us on the Trailwalker course.

This stage's biggest issue is the distance and some interesting navigation when you get close to Lewes. Other than that it is mostly downhill, until a short sharp incline across a field after crossing the A27.

Say hello to my little friend...

Most of the stage covers open hill tops with some nice views in all directions, passing a couple of Ice cream vans on route, which proved particularly tempting, but we held off!

Part of the way through the stage we saw some horses being ridden around in a field and then we reached the racing stables, which is where we saw a great sight of little and large...

Going strong

We have heard many things of the Gallops area of this stage and so we kept a keen eye out for the sharp right turn that we'd need to take. Gubbs, ever ready, had taken to warning Jo and Julie that he had a feeling it would be very close, and this he claimed about 5 times in about 15 minutes, with no sign of it. In the end he decided to keep his feelings to himself.

As we headed towards the checkpoint at Kingston, which we could for most of the stage by spotting the white windmill without it's sails, we could see a couple of people in the distance with florescent jackets waving - this was Gem's attempt to embarrass Anna as much as possible.

Our support crew for the day

We stopped again for a snack, change of socks and chat, and the time just flew by. It was 25 minutes before we left again for the final two stages, which in total would be less distance than the last one we had walked.

It was also time to say good bye to Gem & Anna, for now, who would meet us at Brighton Racecourse to take us home.

Stage 10 we knew would be about an hour to complete, so pretty short. The only challenge with this one is the large hill on the way out of Kingston. This was a head down and pull yourself up it moment. With legs and feet a little tired after the mileage so far it wasn't fun, but had to be done. We know it will be worse in July after many more miles so little time to complain!

The sheds at checkpoint 10

After reaching the top there was time for another stretch and then onwards to the checkpoint. This we found though fields that were full of sheep last time but they were long gone looking at the growth of the grass. We had found the checkpoint from memory after completing this section previously.

Then it was the final stage which none of us are a fan of for the following reasons:

1. It seems to go on forever.
2. The scenery isn't as nice after about 3km following a track behind houses.
3. It goes on forever.
4. By this stage you are going to be knackered.
5. It really goes on forever.

We worked our way up the final hill of the day, conversation now was getting light, we were tired. There was some delight in seeing the racetrack followed by some confusion as we saw Gem and Anna drive towards us on not the road but the dusty track we were walking parallel with. Apparently they were just checking where we were, but they had no offer of a lift...

So as we watched them drive off towards our finish line we trudged on and on until we finally made it.

And as we did Gem & Anna were providing entertainment of their own giving commentary for the race to the finish!

Time for another stretch/flake, popping some ibuprofen tablets and then crowding into the car for the journey home with our semi-sunburnt faces.

Total distance 25 miles in a total time of 10 hours and 21 minutes, including 1 hour and 20 minutes on breaks at checkpoints (we may need to be a little stricter on that!)