So Saturday arrived with the excitement of a new car. Having enjoyed my Skoda Vrs for a few years the time had come to get something a little more frugal and dare I say it sensible. A 60 mile trip over towards Brighton beckoned and the opportunity to walk near the South Downs was too good to miss. Jo agreed to come with me as long as I provided lunch out! So at 10 we took collection of our pre-loved Jaguar X-type estate, and decided to go to Arundel and do a walk we'd found on the Internet. A tame 6 miler, followed by lunch at the Black Rabbit at 1 was the plan. We departed the start point at 11.15 and although overcast the scenery & river were lovely. The rain hadn't been kind to the route and the mud was thick & slippery, as Jo can testify to! A tricky stile covered in mud was Jo's unfortunate downfall into a deep muddy puddle!
After dusting ourselves down and cleaning the mud as best we could we trekked on into the oncoming rain! A steep ascent led us to the highest point as far as the eye could see. Unfortunately at this point our lack of map and neglect of a sign post proved costly. Half an hour passed and the depressing realisation arrived that we were indeed lost!
We started the walk back to the high point where we were now sure we'd gone wrong. At this point we took the opportunity to call the pub and re-arrange the booking for an hour later!
Our confidence knocked we kept doubting ourselves as we were well and truly soaked by the rain, but the reassuring signs weren't far away and we began making progress again. Arundel castle made a welcome site as we turned the corner of the valley. The home stretch was upon us!
By 2.20 we were in the pub, pie and mash followed by Jo's choice of the 6 deserts platter!
Lessons learned... The right gear is important, both Jo and I ended up with blisters, wet jeans and lost! Maps are good!
Next up a 30 miler with Neil on the actual trailwaker route!
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