Thanks. That is something I want to keep doing with all my hikes...make them a little educational about the area for interest purposes rather than just watching me walk, set up camp, look at the view ans walk some more. Appreciate the feedback :-)
@@buck197 Ah, yeah...in a week. Sorry...thought it was a reference to something in the video...lol I'm looking forward to it even if I have to live in a wet suit...
Thank you so much for posting this series of videos - they were a pleasure to watch and I was hooked! I think that this is the best video presentation on the South Downs Way I have ever seen. Clear narration with points of local history discussed made it stimulating throughout. The photography was excellent, capturing the views so well (the best in my view are from Kingston Ridge). It was interesting that you at times went off the South Downs Way e.g. to Alfriston which definitely complimented the videos to let people know what else is possible on the walk. Next time you go, think about checking out Fulking (very close to Devils Dyke) - there, there is a natural water spring, taking natural spring water from the South Downs. During the pandemic I, myself at different times have done various stretches of the walk from Bignor Hill to Beachy Head, but I will take my hat off to anyone that can do those stretches continually on successive days. Hopefully these videos will inspire others to get out their walking shoes and appreciate this green and pleasant land!
Thank you; what a lovely comment to wake up to on a Monday morning. I'm really glad you enjoyed the series and my presentation. I love finding things like natural springs so I will check that out when I am next down that way
Hi CJ, I would just like to add that watching your videos have inspired me to cover a further distances in one day (I am now walking twice as far now in one day than I used to). I realise that it is really just a mind over body thing - if you become mentally stronger the resulting determination can enable you to overcome whatever physical restrictions that you have and go beyond what you think is your limit. A couple of other things on the SDW that you might not know about : on Harting Hill there is a patch of grassland that has been deliberately kept uncultivated leaving long grasses to grow quite high. This means that in June, thousands of glow worms / fire flies can be seen lighting up the field in the night - it is quite a spectacle! (a place to consider a wild camp?) The other thing that I would like to mention is Kingley Vale (4 miles south west of Cocking). This is one of the largest Yew forests in Europe with trees dating back 2000 years - its quite a novel exprience seeing these trees which are absolutley massive (and beautiful).
@@jowood2497 That's amazing to hear...keep at it. I think I know which area.of Harting Down you mean...gorgeous area. As far as Kingley Vale, it has been on my list to do for a while and I haven't made it there yet
Wow ! I’m glad I stumbled across this video set , the narration was top notch, along the the info and knowledge of the areas . I recently out of no where decided I wanted to do the South Downs with my teenage son, we are Southampton based and will be heading out from winch . I had in mind to wild camp , but was a little hesitant, but watching this has relaxed my mind a bit 👌thanks for that . after spending a small fortune on equipment as we are new to hiking and I don’t want my son getting cold , we are nearly ready to have a go at this pretty soon, but am after some advice as what we should actually be taking with us , and what sort of foods you recommend and where can we get these?. We have quick drying clothes, boots , shelter , stove kettle and eating utensils , first aid kits , Bivvys and bags , and new shiney rucksacks.what else should we be taking , and where can we get it . Many thanks , and great videos 🙌 also how much water should we set off with ? I was contemplating 6 litres for myself spread around in a bladder and 2, 2 litre platypus’s ? Maybe slightly less in the boys sack ? What would you suggest .
Hi Shaun. Thank you and glad you enjoyed the videos. Many people wild camp this trail. The key is to set up late and leave early. I tend to find treed areas as they are most stealthy. As far as the gear...you sound well covered but make sure you test it all. I'd even get out for a weekend hike and camp near to you to make sure you are comfortable with your gear and that it works. Also, make sure to get those boots broken in to...blisters can be a nightmare. You also don't mention rain gear...definitely a must have. I wear one set of clothes for any backpacking trip with a dry set for sleeping in/base layer. The only thing I carry extra of is socks and underwear. As for water, 6 liters is way too much. That's a 30 mile desert carry on the Pacific Crest Trail. I carried 2 liters but that was also because I have the dogs and they drink as much as I do between them. There will be water taps along the route and you can fill up at pubs also...almost all places are happy to fill up for you. For a dry camp where I knew I'd be cooking I'd top up and carry 4 liters total but often had a liter left-over. I'm just aware I never want my dogs to go thirsty. I have shared a link below with the location of the water taps. Buy the Cicerone map booklet and mark them on it...I found that was extremely useful. www.bikedowns.co.uk/Water%20taps.htm For food, I ate at a couple of pubs but I usually take things like instant cous cous, Mug Shots noodles as they are quick and easy to cook. Snacks are nuts, chocolate and granola bars. Anyway, hope that all helps and that you enjoy the trail. Thanks for watching.
@@WilderhopeAdventures thanks for the help and links .. super useful . We have got water proofs also as that’s our tent system , its the one Tigris poncho / tent~ hope it lasts out , pretty minimalistic 😬,as for food I wanted to take some dehydrated type survival ready meals that you just boil up or add water too ? Have you ever used these ? Some do seem a little expensive, and that was what I was worried about the extra water , but the tap route should cut a few pounds .👍🏻many thanks... just went to buy the map book and I have it already ... ha ha . ☮️
@@shaunmcintyre5883 Hi Shaun. I do occasionally use the meals you mention, but because of the cost I tend to make do with the Mug Shots/ramen/other instant noodles etc which also require boiled water to be added. Two liters is plenty per person in between taps, and maybe three each for overnight at maximum. Of course that does depend on how hot it gets and how much you drink.
Great to see someone who knows a bit about the areas they're hiking through. Keep it up :)
Thanks. That is something I want to keep doing with all my hikes...make them a little educational about the area for interest purposes rather than just watching me walk, set up camp, look at the view ans walk some more. Appreciate the feedback :-)
Lovely series of videos - really enjoyed watching
Thank you. I appreciate the feedback. Keep an eye out for the Vanguard Way videos coming in November :-) And thanks for watching
Your dogs are sooooo cute! 😃
Ha ha...thanks....they seem to think so too.
Fabulous and inspiring. I hope you enjoy D&C
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed. What is D&C?
Wilderhope Adventures Devon and Cornwall, I thought you was heading this way.
@@buck197 Ah, yeah...in a week. Sorry...thought it was a reference to something in the video...lol I'm looking forward to it even if I have to live in a wet suit...
done & dusted !! some great views along the seven sisters but its a good ole trek. on to the next trail . atb daz
Absolutely...had quite the epic set of views but definitely a tough way to end the trail, especially in the heat. Thanks for watching :-)
Thank you so much for posting this series of videos - they were a pleasure to watch and I was hooked! I think that this is the best video presentation on the South Downs Way I have ever seen. Clear narration with points of local history discussed made it stimulating throughout. The photography was excellent, capturing the views so well (the best in my view are from Kingston Ridge). It was interesting that you at times went off the South Downs Way e.g. to Alfriston which definitely complimented the videos to let people know what else is possible on the walk. Next time you go, think about checking out Fulking (very close to Devils Dyke) - there, there is a natural water spring, taking natural spring water from the South Downs.
During the pandemic I, myself at different times have done various stretches of the walk from Bignor Hill to Beachy Head, but I will take my hat off to anyone that can do those stretches continually on successive days.
Hopefully these videos will inspire others to get out their walking shoes and appreciate this green and pleasant land!
Thank you; what a lovely comment to wake up to on a Monday morning. I'm really glad you enjoyed the series and my presentation.
I love finding things like natural springs so I will check that out when I am next down that way
Hi CJ, I would just like to add that watching your videos have inspired me to cover a further distances in one day (I am now walking twice as far now in one day than I used to). I realise that it is really just a mind over body thing - if you become mentally stronger the resulting determination can enable you to overcome whatever physical restrictions that you have and go beyond what you think is your limit.
A couple of other things on the SDW that you might not know about : on Harting Hill there is a patch of grassland that has been deliberately kept uncultivated leaving long grasses to grow quite high. This means that in June, thousands of glow worms / fire flies can be seen lighting up the field in the night - it is quite a spectacle! (a place to consider a wild camp?)
The other thing that I would like to mention is Kingley Vale (4 miles south west of Cocking). This is one of the largest Yew forests in Europe with trees dating back 2000 years - its quite a novel exprience seeing these trees which are absolutley massive (and beautiful).
@@jowood2497 That's amazing to hear...keep at it.
I think I know which area.of Harting Down you mean...gorgeous area.
As far as Kingley Vale, it has been on my list to do for a while and I haven't made it there yet
Great job, so glad to see the weather cleared for the final stretch along the cliffs.
Thanks. It was a gorgeous day...hotter than expexted
Wow ! I’m glad I stumbled across this video set , the narration was top notch, along the the info and knowledge of the areas . I recently out of no where decided I wanted to do the South Downs with my teenage son, we are Southampton based and will be heading out from winch . I had in mind to wild camp , but was a little hesitant, but watching this has relaxed my mind a bit 👌thanks for that . after spending a small fortune on equipment as we are new to hiking and I don’t want my son getting cold , we are nearly ready to have a go at this pretty soon, but am after some advice as what we should actually be taking with us , and what sort of foods you recommend and where can we get these?. We have quick drying clothes, boots , shelter , stove kettle and eating utensils , first aid kits , Bivvys and bags , and new shiney rucksacks.what else should we be taking , and where can we get it . Many thanks , and great videos 🙌 also how much water should we set off with ? I was contemplating 6 litres for myself spread around in a bladder and 2, 2 litre platypus’s ? Maybe slightly less in the boys sack ? What would you suggest .
Hi Shaun. Thank you and glad you enjoyed the videos. Many people wild camp this trail. The key is to set up late and leave early. I tend to find treed areas as they are most stealthy.
As far as the gear...you sound well covered but make sure you test it all. I'd even get out for a weekend hike and camp near to you to make sure you are comfortable with your gear and that it works. Also, make sure to get those boots broken in to...blisters can be a nightmare. You also don't mention rain gear...definitely a must have. I wear one set of clothes for any backpacking trip with a dry set for sleeping in/base layer. The only thing I carry extra of is socks and underwear.
As for water, 6 liters is way too much. That's a 30 mile desert carry on the Pacific Crest Trail. I carried 2 liters but that was also because I have the dogs and they drink as much as I do between them. There will be water taps along the route and you can fill up at pubs also...almost all places are happy to fill up for you. For a dry camp where I knew I'd be cooking I'd top up and carry 4 liters total but often had a liter left-over. I'm just aware I never want my dogs to go thirsty. I have shared a link below with the location of the water taps. Buy the Cicerone map booklet and mark them on it...I found that was extremely useful.
www.bikedowns.co.uk/Water%20taps.htm
For food, I ate at a couple of pubs but I usually take things like instant cous cous, Mug Shots noodles as they are quick and easy to cook. Snacks are nuts, chocolate and granola bars.
Anyway, hope that all helps and that you enjoy the trail. Thanks for watching.
@@WilderhopeAdventures thanks for the help and links .. super useful . We have got water proofs also as that’s our tent system , its the one Tigris poncho / tent~ hope it lasts out , pretty minimalistic 😬,as for food I wanted to take some dehydrated type survival ready meals that you just boil up or add water too ? Have you ever used these ? Some do seem a little expensive, and that was what I was worried about the extra water , but the tap route should cut a few pounds .👍🏻many thanks... just went to buy the map book and I have it already ... ha ha . ☮️
@@shaunmcintyre5883 Hi Shaun. I do occasionally use the meals you mention, but because of the cost I tend to make do with the Mug Shots/ramen/other instant noodles etc which also require boiled water to be added. Two liters is plenty per person in between taps, and maybe three each for overnight at maximum. Of course that does depend on how hot it gets and how much you drink.
I'm walking this with 4 others over night on the shortest night next week.
Nice. Hope it goes well and the weather isn't too hot
@@WilderhopeAdventures Many thanks. It's been very humid last few days but being over night should be ok!