A BASINGSTOKE woman has celebrated the 50-year anniversary of the South Downs Way by walking the 100 miles to Seven Sisters with her sister.
Ellisfield resident Charlie Hellewell, 53, walked from Winchester to the Seven Sisters in Sussex accompanied by her sister Miranda Bassett.
Charlie said that the women were inspired to walk the South Downs Way due to its “iconic” nature.
She continued: “It’s just one of those things you have to do.”
The pair set off from Winchester City Mill on May 20 and arrived at the cliffs eight days later.
The sisters walked for an average of 15 miles per day, staying in bed and breakfasts along the way.
Charlie, who has worked for South Downs National Park Authority for six years, said that her favourite part of the trip was the final day when she and Miranda reached Seven Sisters.
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She said: “Coming along the iconic Seven Sisters sheer chalk cliffs, on a fantastic blue-sky day, it’s very undulating, quite up and down.
“It was quite a long way that last day, but it was worth it: we saw peregrines flying, there were a couple of Spitfires that went over, and it just seemed perfect.
“We were waving madly at those Spitfires, as if they had flown over only for us!
“It was a lovely thing to do with my sister, and something we’ll always remember.”
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Charlie said that she would love to walk other national parks in the future.
She continued: “Our country is such a beautiful country, we’re very lucky.
“You don’t need to go away, because we are surrounded by amazing things!
“We have so many national parks, we are very lucky.”
The South Downs Way is a hilltop route that stretches from Winchester to Eastbourne.
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