Plumpton

Day 9 Stats:
Distance: 38.71 km (309.00 km)
Steps: 54,724 (442,390)
Move time: 8h26 (71h02)
Spend: £0.00 (£43.10)

Last night was definitely up there with the most tense I've ever felt during a wild camp. Thomas definitely chose an interesting one to join me for. The first sign of unease came with a disturbing distant scream from some flailing creature in the silent black of night. Clearly dragged by a relentless predator, and with its every struggle, the snapping of twigs and violent rustling of leaves became ever louder as it was hauled alarmingly ever closer to our tent. But even the screams quickly became drowned out by the much more real concern. Up until now, evading the weather warnings has very much been a game of smoke and mirrors, but low and behold just as we had camped on the protruding escarpment, a dark, heavy storm rolls in, hurling lashings of rain from above. Perhaps more concerningly, however, was the lightning. Sharp cracks of thunder reverberated with unsettling volume and proximity, resonating through the ground and up into my body with power like I've never felt before and continuing for several hours. Inevitably though, Thomas forgot to bring his foil suit and so we survived the night and enjoyed a productive day hurdling the South Downs hills, surpassing all sorts of settlements in our stride, most notably including Brighton. Sadly (and with few notable catastrophes considering our track record together), Thomas then had to make his exit; his parting gift some Cadbury treats, and his parting mission to navigate an A-road to Hassocks (due to looking at orchids in the most Thomas way imaginable). Plenty of soggy shuffling from me later, and I'm calling it a day at Blackcap. Many, many thanks to the legendary Thomas for his company. I hope this isn't the last that this trip sees of you!Read more