2 Jun 2008 - Day 1

North Downs Challenge 2008

Stage One from Farnham to Goshall a distance of 17.5 miles

Farnham is on the Hapshire/Surrey border and this marks the start of the North Downs Challenge 2008 with the route beginning at Station Hill and following the banks of the River Wey out of the town. The North Downs Way then follows the Hogs Back before looping just to the south of Guildford before heading east towards Dorking. The highlight of this stage is the numerous pretty villages the route passes through. The days finish is just outside the small village of Gomshall. this first day is relatively flat.

The team set off at 9.10am this morning. the weather was overcast but dry, which should make for good walking weather.

On the way to the first rest break of the day, the team of walkers stumbled across a film set of the BBC series ROBIN HOOD.

The team faced some testing climbs and unual routes including walking through fields of Parsley on the way to Newlands Corner giving them an incredbile view of the countryside below. After a coffee, the team set off in the heavy rain to carry on the walking for the day, causing some slippery and treacherous routes ahead. A slight faux-pas saw the walkers walk an extra 4 miles, eventually stopping nearer to Dorking instead of Gomshall as planned. Due to a mischiefous Shaun (the Sat Nav) the support team were half an hour behind the walkers being misdirected to a mile or two away from the walkers.

The team arrived at their overnight stay in Guildford Travelodge around 6:30pm feeling slightly tired and stayed within the hotel for their evening meal, having an early night afterwards to prepare for the following day.

The walkers were in good spirits and set for the challenge ahead.