PlanetSKI is Back on The South Downs Way – Part 2

twenty eighth July 2024 | James Cove, South Downs Means

In 2022 we got down to stroll the South Downs Means in preparation for summer time mountaineering journey within the Alps. We ran out of time to finish the final couple of sections so now we’re again. NEW

We weren’t ticking packing containers once we began the stroll – we set off on day journeys from London planning to finish sections of the 90-mile route at will – it might take us two weeks, two months or two years.

It now seems to be the latter and we are actually again to complete off the job.

We hiked from Eastbourne to Amberley (60-miles) earlier than heading out the Alps and different mountain ranges in 2022.

We posted on the time:

Final summer time was both too sizzling, too moist, or too chilly.

When it wasn’t any of them we had been away within the mountains of Europe.

Summer season 2024: Amberley to Winchester (45-miles).

See right here for the primary part that we have now now accomplished: Amberley to Cocking (12-miles).

Now its Cocking to Buriton (11-miles)

The beauty of an in a single day cease versus our extra standard day journeys from London is that you simply get up the place you wish to be – close to the South Downs Means.

Breakfast is a leisurely affair, and we strolled out of the fantastic Blue Chook Inn shortly after 9 o’clock.

South Downs Means. Picture © PlanetSKI

The climate was set to be positive and our last vacation spot was the village of Buriton, about 11-miles away.

In truth the climate didn’t develop into positive and we by no means made it to Buriton after a set of slightly unlucky circumstances.

Extra on that later.

The beginning of the day was about as supreme because it will get.

We left Cocking on a bridal path that went underneath a disused railway line to achieve the South Downs Means.

South Downs Means. Picture © PlanetSKI

Quickly we had been on mild meandering paths throughout the Downs with fabulous views.

South Downs Means. Picture © PlanetSKI

The sounds had been uplifting to with not one of the planes flying into Gatwick in our airspace above – simply the occasional gentle plane on a joyride and we even noticed a type of handgliders with a propeller – the kind most popular by Sean Connery’s 007.

There have been some birds singing and the distant ‘phut’ of shotguns being fired.

In any other case it was silence.

The South Downs Means passes close to some attention-grabbing sights and it’s straightforward simply to maintain on going with the will to get some miles underneath the boot.

Yesterday it was the Graffham Downs Reserves, whereas as we speak it’s the Satan’s Jumps.

South Downs Means. Picture © PlanetSKI

We left the route by a slightly obscure little footpath and located a spectacular group of huge Bronze Age grave mounds that date again greater than 3,000 years.

South Downs Means. Picture © PlanetSKI

I puzzled if this was in regards to the time Oetzi the Iceman would have been strolling around the Italy/Austria border within the Alps.

I vowed to test later, however I believe he was round a bit earlier.

Then we noticed what regarded like a small, extra trendy shrine within the woods simply by the principle path.

South Downs Means. Picture © PlanetSKI

It’s devoted to a German pilot from World Warfare 2, Hauptman Joseph Oesterman, who crashed close by on 13 August 1940 in his Junkers JU88A-1 airplane after being shot down by British pilots from 43 and 601 Squadrons.

South Downs Means. Picture © PlanetSKI

As we wandered on considering the futility of battle an the present waste of younger life in Ukraine a person coming the opposite approach stopped.

“Have you ever seen a small black spaniel? I’ve simply handed some individuals who have misplaced their canine and they’re apart from themselves.”

“No, sorry,” I replied.

“They’re a pair with a youthful lady in a wheel-chair and the canine appears to have vanished. I believe he’s known as Teddy.”

“We’ll hold a lookout,” I stated.

Now I’ve to admit I’m not a lot of a canine lover so I can’t say I used to be overly involved and didn’t actually give it a second thought.

Till about 30-seconds later.

South Downs Means. Picture © PlanetSKI

Teddy regarded drained, thirsty and frightened and he shot off the trail into the dense wooden on the sight of us.

I realised his house owners wouldn’t dream of trying deep into the woods and if I didn’t discover him then maybe no-one would.

Happily I’ve my ski touring rucksack with me and in an inside pocket I hold a collection of issues that may turn out to be useful – a small first assist equipment, duck tape, a security pin, small and enormous carabiners, some rope and different odds ‘n’ ends.

I connected the small carabiner and robust elastic band to the tip of my strolling pole (which is, incidently, my adjustable ski touring pole within the winter months).

Hey presto, I had a canine lead.

South Downs Means. Picture © PlanetSKI

Now all I needed to do was discover Teddy and into the undergrowth I went.

After 10-minutes of shouting “Teddy” in as dog-friendly a voice as I may muster a bundle of fur got here working to me and I used to be in a position to seize his collar on the second try and fasten my improvised dog-lead.

As soon as safe I headed by way of the thick woods again to the trail and walked straight into the distraught house owners of Teddy.

“Oh my God it’s been a lifetime looking for Teddy. Thanks so, a lot.”

“I can’t thanks sufficient however I do know your efforts might be rewarded as I imagine in Karma and what goes round comes round,” she stated.

South Downs Means. Picture © PlanetSKI

Little did I understand how quickly the ‘reward’ could be coming.

And with that it was again to the South Downs Means and on to our last vacation spot of Buriton.

We handed by way of some fabulous countryside.

And maybe probably the most ineffective gate on the South Downs Means.

Then the beautiful village if South Harting, which I used to be about to go to however didn’t but comprehend it.

Sadly the forecast climate didn’t fairly develop into true and the falling drizzle shortly turned to rain.

On a steepish down hill part my boot slipped and my leg shot ahead and I knew I had pulled a muscle.

There was about an hour and a half to go, and with heavy rain falling it was removed from supreme.

I made a decision to hobble right down to close by South Harting as an alternative the place we may probably get a bus to Petersfield after which a prepare again to London.

It was not how the day was supposed to finish.

As I stood by the highway trying on the map and the steep descent I would want to make with my injured leg (and now hip) a automotive pulled up and requested if I wished assist.

“Leap in, I may give you a raise to South Harting.”