Parham & Amberley circuit, South Downs

A longer walk with some up and down bits today..  a circuit from the car park at Kithurst on the South Downs way, around Parham house, along the river to Amberley, back up to the south downs way and along the ridge to the car park.  This did mean that the ascent was more to the back end of the walk.

First off it is down the side, through the woods to the bottom of the valley. then across on a back lane to the main road, and into the park surrounding the big house.

All locked down because of Covid ...  but the paths were still open. Above the gliders were taking off from the airfield close by.

the big house was all quiet, the lack of people making it pleasant.

From the other side of the park, we shuffled through some more woods before picking up the river. This is the flat plains here, and open all the way up the valley.

We had a slight pause whilst they moved some cattle around..  dogs and bullocks not a good mix, then up past the old mill to the back road into Amberley

On the road through Amberley, the tea room was rather full, but in hindsight it would have been a good place to stop before the ascent up to the ridge. ...  straight up to the top

Once on top the views around were great ..  looking over towards the West and the A29

A stop for some lunch, to reward the ascent, and then it was flat and slightly downhill back to the van

Bertie was worn out, and jumped into the van as soon as it was open.

Back home for a rest.

Ebernoe wildlife trust walk, Sussex

This weekend we went for a walk around Ebernoe common ...  a figure of eight track, and slightly less distance than the previous week.

the start was in a woodland area with wide paths 

before we cam out on the track that lead back to the Balls cross village and pub.

From the pub we continued up the metalled road for a while  before turning back around into the woods ...  this crossed some dried up streams before meeting back at the metalled road

then the wider vehicle tracks up to the church, before a slight back track to disappear into the woods again for the the return to the van.

 

Canal Stroll 2, Wisberough Green

 Headed off to a part of the canal I had not been to before..  it was part of one poddle that I did not go on.

The idea was to park at the Bat and Ball and then do a circuit back after going down the canal to the newest bridge beyond Lording's lock, taking in some f the earliest restoration that had gone on.

However we did not find a suitable place to park the car at the Bat and Ball, so left it by the green in Wisborough Green, then walked back yup the road to our original stat point ... would mean we had done that road section at the start rather than the end.

Then down the lane tot he canal and the first restored lock, which was looking slightly neglected - I guess because it does not have any water transport through it.

Then continuing south past the first lifting bridge ...  which is actually in use.

Once over the A272 the route continues through a load of open fields which were baked in the heat and it was good to get back to the canal once it resurfaced...  on to Lordings lock and the water wheel (used to lift water from the river into the canal when there is a shortage).

The lock itself is dry and partially filled in

Continuing on to the sea gates adn then the new bridge at Pallings..

Finally turning back North to head to Wisborough Green and the van. This went along the tracks of the local estate - very open and sun baked.

Bertie liked to drop into the canal and cool off every so often ...  not quite swimming, but a deep paddle. Just had to avoid the spray when he got out.

Canal stroll, Dunsfold

We parked the car at the sydney woods car park and set off back towards Loxwood along the route of the canal ...  the start was a little ways away, but we soon converged.

this part the canal s quite cleared and very obvious

After the lock keepers cottage excursion ...  private land issues..  we came back to the canal for the section to the Gennets wood lock

After the lock we then took a more direct route back to the car.