Well, after a better night's sleep than I first imagined, with the aching feet and legs, we were up and at breakfast just after 7.30 am. There's nothing like a veggie fry up to feel well fuelled and raring to go, although it was rather foggy and drizzling as we left the Youth Hostel.

We set off, well-seasoned (after a few days!) intrepid explorers, into the largest blanket of fog as we walked up the gentle, meandering slope of the Downs. We had to keep a very close eye on the path and pay attention that morning, while we were chatting as it was very easy to wander away from the Way!

We met runners, walkers and cyclists all along the entire route, some up for the 100 mile challenge; others fundraising or setting out to accomplish some personal record in running or cycling.

As the fog lifted, the beauty of the landscape, once again revealed itself to us and the glitter of the sunlight on the sea and casting its shadow through clouds on the other side of us, over the hills, was a sight to behold!

We had set off a little later than planned, but as the steep inclines and long drops commenced, we kept up the best pace we could. We encountered butterflies and tree tunnels through tiny villages in the middle of nowhere, before arriving at Alfriston, where we were drawn into a beautiful book shop called Much Ado Books, filled with literary goodies and second hand delights. We found a number of Virginia Woolf books and I bought To The Lighthouse as a treat.

It was lunchtime in Alfriston, so we found ourselves looking for something to bolster us for the last stretch along Seven Sisters and so the welcoming Badgers Tea Room was the perfect place to sit down, reapply the suncream and motor through the best cream tea! We even kept a scone for later, which was devoured overlooking the sea at Seven Sisters!

After climbing those relentless and very steep hills later that afternoon and flying at a pace past the lighthouse looking out over the cliffs, we continued onward towards Beachy Head.

Finally, after being left in awe by two biplanes practising acrobatics in the sky, we headed along the long meandering path towards Eastbourne.

The relief and overwhelm at arriving at the end of 100 miles, was 'epic' as Ben would say and my thoughts turned to the children who will benefit from Ben's Epic Christmas Boxes.

After the obligatory photograph as proof of our finishing the whole thing, we decided, perhaps ridiculously after 17 miles already, to walk to the train station.

At the end of the evening, we had walked almost 19 miles and with all of our extra strolls to pubs, tea rooms, houses and off / back to the Way. We have managed to tot up a grand total of 117.5 miles!! I think that is very worthy of a celebration. It was blessed relief to be picked up at Petersfield Station at 10.30 pm on Saturday by hubby and my girls. I hope Ben would also be pleased at our efforts, as I feel he has certainly been encouraging me with enthusiasm and gentle signs in nature, especially on our last day. The South Downs Way in all of her exquisite vastness and beauty has etched herself deep within my heart, a journey never to be forgotten, the reason behind it all, firmly inspiring me always; and my friendship with this amazing human being who agreed to do this with me, rightly planted in my memory forever. Home now for cuddles and a warm bath to soothe my aching bones!!

Thank you so much for your support ... please keep sharing and donating if you can, you are amazing and a couple of days later, my thoughts are already turning to ... 'What next?'