In early 2016 Rashiwe Bayisayi and myself started to explore walking routes from Brighton to London. It took quite some time and over 100 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways {all thanks to Ordnance Survey Map APPs}.
It was Rashi's idea to commemorate Zimbabwe's Hero's Day - {Second Monday in August} with something heroic in the UK. And a 100+ km 30 hour Walk seemed to fit that notion. So we set about planning. This was whilst we were a part of Ephraim Tapa's ROHR/Zimbabwe Vigil - which we were funding at that time {another long story!!}.
History and Development
The 2016 Walk proved far too arduous to be completed over the two days - which included an over-night camping experience in Edenbridge, Kent. Since in the morning very few of the exhausted walkers could be roused. Indeed several had to retire with injuries to muscles and giant blisters. {we still feel bad about that to this day}. See the link to some photos of that ROHR Walk - with the ROHR Walk T Shirts {several are still available!! - but the web links on those T Shirts, are now incorrect}. Click for PHOTOS Here - uploaded in 2025 but all originally from 12-13th August 2016}
So Rashiwe and I refocused the Walk for Freedom {we changed the name once ZHRO was Formed in the October 2016} to use a gentler, mostly level route partly using the Downs Link at Henfield, West Sussex and onwards {see Details Here} and the Rivers Wey and Thames Navigation footpaths. It was a little shorter - but most importantly it was achievable! And the 3 ladies who walked the full route in around 30 hours need to be respected. Myself {john Burke} could only manage Brighton to Guildford Railway Station before ther pain from all my blisters beat my desire to walk any further - I was driven home!!
So the new route is Brighton Pier to Devils Dyke, Cross Country to Henfield, to pick up the Downslink. Then stop at Christ's Hospital Railway Station {for those who want to join us there and for those who may want to retire after 40km}. Then onto Guildford Railway Station by nightfall {approx: see schedule being produced shortly} and for those who wish to join us or leave us. Lastly overnight, with a dawn cup of coffee at (what used to be Geno's Café at Walton-on-Thames {now the Wild Brunch, Cowey Sale Walton Lane, Walton-On-Thames, KT12 1QP}, finally onto Hampton Court Railway Station. to end the Walk for Freedom.
So a big hats off to Rashiwe Bayisayi {route leader}, Salom Nkiwane and guest Patience Musasawa who completed our first Walk for Freedom.
We were also in a position to fund a drone video production of the Walk from Brighton to Devil's Dyke and a little beyond. {Click DRONE VIDEO item to play it - please also listen to the musical accompanyment too}
We did further Walk for Freedom in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 which are all recorded on Flickr and have articles within the 15-105km Walks category for navigation. We fell into a little less walking activity in 2023, and 2024 but now wish to re-start this vital exercise in fitness, activism, mao reading and appreciation of the peace and quiet in the countryside. We did do a few shorter walks during the warmer months in the Yorkshire Dales. And this year intend to try again in the Derbyshire Peak district.
2025 9th and 10th August
It is most fortuitus that on the night of the 9th August around the Guildford Area {where we should be arriving that evening} there will be a FULL MOON - and subject to a cloudless sky {so it would be cold as well} this would be a big help to those walking along our {now} preferred route - being the River Wey Navigation and later the River Thames Navigation paths.
Link to Walk Application CLICK HERE
We are seeking to raise money for the Walk for Freedom for food along the route {Christ's Hospital, Guildford Railway Station, and {What was} Geno's Café car park at Walton-on-Thames). In addition it is imperative to have at least 2 cars full time to ferry the over tired and/or blister victims to a local rail station to get home etc. So myself often ends up doing some of the driving as well as some of the Walk. So for this we need money and vehicles - with requisite insurance cover as needed, or several driving volunteers with up to date SAT NAV's.
Approximate locations times, and Sat Nav post code information See PDF Here and a larger version by clicking the smaller image WE WILL UPDATE THIS SCHEDULE SHORTLY - HOWEVER ALL LOCATIONS AND POST CODES ARE ACCURATE FOR NAVIGATION PURPOSES - even the Anchor Pub at Pyrford Locks in the early hours!
