Greensand Way stage 5: Earlswood to Limpsfield Chart, pre-flight prep

Just enough normality back in our lives to actually plan and prep for a long walk! This is my first pre-flight prep post since March, can you believe it. It’s almost July!

Today is the second leg of the ‘home turf’ section of the Greensand Way, starting at Earlswood and then heading east through Nutfield, Oxted and ending at Limpsfield Chart, a leg of about 21km (ish). I know bits of this trail, I take in a chunk of it on my ‘local’ extended circular walk up to South Nutfield and back down via East Surrey Hospital, but I’m excited to extend the knowledge to take in more of East Surrey. It is my proverbial doorstep after all!

This section also marks the halfway point of the overall Greensand Way epic. Pleased to say I am pretty much on target; next stage will take me into Kent!

Right, so here we are, ready to go.....

In the bag:

• 1.5l water and a smaller flask of chai

• Sumptuous lunch of homemade quiche, veggies and dried fruit (the quiche handmade by the boys, so even tastier!)

• Face mask (with a Walking Dead theme, made by my talented Ma)- yes, I am getting the train to Earlswood, first time I will have been on a train since the 17th March!

• Wires and battery pack

Sumptuous lunch (annotated)

Today’s map:

• We’re starting on OS Explorer 146 which takes us most of the way (as far as Oxted)

• After Oxted, we’re on OS Explorer 147 but not for long. Gonna need to get some more maps!

All the maps!!

Finally, before I go to see if a train service still exists.... a word on socks. I have walked many a long distance over the years and generally have failed utterly to get away with not having any blisters. That is until I purchased myself some Smartwool merino wool walking socks. Not a single blister since- they are legendary and highly recommended for anyone planning any kind of distance walk.

Right, times a ticking, I’m off......