Mudeford - Hurst Castle. Sun and Shingle.

For my sixth training walk on Saturday I had planned on doing a longer walk this weekend but a bad case of man flu during week made me rethink my plans. I was staying with my parents in Mudeford so planned a relatively easy 10 miler along the beach - or so I thought!

Sunday - Rain and Mud - 12 miles

Well today has been tough. My legs felt surprisingly good this morning after a good sleep however chaffed areas were still sore. The weather forecast was for heavy rain and sure enough it was chucking it down.

Wet weather gear donned and vaseline liberally applied I headed out. I soon discovered that my biggest problem today was going to be mud. Not the sticky, oozy, squelchy kind but the wet, slippy, slidy kind. I'm certainly glad I had walking poles to support me on a few of the inclines.

Saturday - Lewes to Haywards Heath - 19.5 miles

07.30 - On the train.

I'm sat on the train to Lewes having left the family tucked up in bed. I managed an extra 25mins in bed compare to my usual weekday routine so that was a bonus. I've eaten my body weight in porridge and necked about a litre of water. The weather forecast is dry, overcast and 9C. Bring it on!

(Just read in the free Southern magazine that Lewes Station won a "Loo of the Year" award - might have to check them out on my way through!)

The day before...

Friday evening

So this weekend I head out for two quite serious training walks. Tomorrow I will be catching the early train to Lewes and then walk back home, a 20 mile walk along the Sussex Ouse Valley Way. Followed by a brisk 12 mile walk up to and around Ardingly Reservoir on Sunday.

During my South Downs challenge I will be walking 20 miles on my first day followed by three 24 milers and ending on an easy (!) 10 mile stretch into Eastbourne over the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head on the Friday.