Bob and I have officially started our South Downs Way walking tour. It will be approximately 100 miles on foot from Winchester to Eastbourne. Day 1 had us arrive at our Winchester Hotel to pick up our information packet for the tour, spend the evening, and then head out for our first day of walking. The information packet was to contain luggage tags for our daily luggage transfer, detailed route notes, and maps.
We had a crazy afternoon in Winchester at the Windsor Royal Hotel, with Bob heading to a launderette when we were curtly told at 2:40 that Check-in starts at 3, and me on the phone to our tour company to let them know that the hotel didn’t have our information packet as I watched multiple other couples check in. We finally received the information packet on our 3rd request. We later got to leave the hotel for a bit when a fire alarm went off.
where our excursion started
So, not a great start, and can’t recommend their breakfast either, but we were still able to leave Winchester at about 8 am this morning with all of our materials.
The route was very well marked and pretty busy with foot and bike traffic (likely because it’s Saturday). The trails were in good condition too until after lunch when we ran into a stretch of very muddy and rain covered path that eventually ensured that both our shoes and socks would be wet for the remainder of the walk. But after almost 8 hours over 20 miles, Bob and I are relaxing in our bed and breakfast and about to grab some dinner at the pub next door.
We sat on a bench in the grounds for a brief lunch snack.
between Exton and East Meon
Tomorrow, we’re off to Cocking,which makes us smile. It will be a couple miles longer than today.
Peckish Travels 