25 January 2021

Canal south Loxwood circuit, Local

 

Yesterday it snowed leaving around 1 cm on the ground, but then it was washed by rain. A clear night left a very heavy frost on the remnants, but with the sun shining we set out early (earlier than usual) to get through before everyone else came out of their cocoons.

The road was icy, and the verge crispy, as we headed down through the village to the cut through to the canal.

Down by Loxwood pond with the geese and ducks walking on the ice, the sun peeping over the trees.
Across the field - very frosted and up tot eh canal tow path - crunchy underfoot.
The light on the canal was brilliant as we continued down the well worn trail to Loxwood. The Devil's hole lock sitting serene in the early light.
We achieved the goal of beating the crowds as we only met a couple of joggers by the time we reached Brewhurst locak
Gradually warming up, as we passed Baldwins Knob lock, with a brilliantly sunny day.
Reflections in the stillness before the sharp turn approaching Drungewick.
Not everything was frozen ...  we had to cross the overflow that drains into the river.
The Drungewick lock and where we left the towpath to head south down the road ...  the canal goes over private land from here for a while and there is no towpath unfortunately.
This part of the walk follows the minor road past the kennels before turning off at Trenchmore farm ... the path follows the side of the houses and into the woods again ...  now the path got muddy, with memories of last weeks walk flashing in our minds. The frost had not sufficiently got through the trees.

The track opened out into fields, freshly sown with grass. Eventually reaching the Malham estate - a large collection of farm buildings, and a cross road of tracks.
Here we took the farm drive as it wound up to the Newpound road. The road surface was still very frosty and we had to avoid the icy patches.
Up at the orad we cut up to the junction with Drungewick lane before crossing and taking the path going west. This track stuck to the wooded boundary of the fields and was back to the mud skipping.
The track then curved all the way around a large house before emerging onto the back road to Wisborough Green.
We crossed over and took the drive heading towards Wephurst park ... and the area of a number of our short walks.
There are some large cattle barns ... no longer used for cattle, where this drive crosses the parish boundary track we followed last week. This was a good place to sit on some tree roots and eat an early lunch.
From here we chose not to return up last weeks track, but to cut over to the next bridleway as it was less muddy.
Then up to Orchard cottage and back to the main road passed Ormond house.
This last section we were accompanied by another walker as the dogs socialised we talked across the track. 


18 January 2021

Kirdford / Plaistow Circuit, Local

 This week's walk was another local favourite stretched to bring in some new elements. The aim was to head down the parish boundary track to Kirdford, then cut across diagonally to Plaistow, before cutting back to Ifold.

Setting off across the Plaistow road, down the side of Ormond house. The overnight frost still in evidence on the hedge.
Taking the border track by fox cottage ..  avoiding the muddy sections on the main track by using the woods at first then the "bluebell" track on the bank at the side. Eventually these options ran out and we had to return to wallowing in the track - a feature of today's walk.
As the route continued below the Wephurst Park drive, we were on the extension...  but the mud just continued ... with occasional excursions into the fields by the sides to get away for a few meters.
Arriving at the Irrigation reservoirs the path opened out, but still very muddy. With arable crops each side
Closer to Chandler Barn things improved as the track converted into a road/ drive, dropping down through the woods to the river.
After the river the track returned to a more muddy versions as we cut across towards Kirdford.
The track cut across the fields for the Stud - distinguishable by the post and rail fencing. Some narrow muddy swamps before it opened onto a concrete path.
Through the stud buildings, and out onto the Wisborough Green road and into Kirdford.
Back out up a farm drive/ track, evolving into another muddy track which lead down to the same river we had crossed earlier.
Well used track, presumably by the local dog walkers, across the river and through the trees.
Into the field beside the local football pitch and Bertie had his mad moment, splashing in the puddles and chasing sticks.
Around a field that had a sheep dog trials set up and over a mud wallow to get to a drive heading to the Ifold road.
I had not realised there was some National trust land around here ...  later on there was a sign detailing the butterfly work going on. The map shows this as Mackerel's common.
Once more we could take tot eh woods to escape the muddy path.
The track came out of the woods and opened out as we moved into sheep pasture territory.
looking now for somewhere to have early lunch we came past Crouchlands house, with some escapee shrubbery.
We stopped at the barrier which closed off the "lagoon area" of the now obsolete Farm fuel venture. The lagoons were still contentiously being made safe.
After our break, we passed the cow sheds of the farm, following the track up to Plaistow - thankfully mud free
At the next junction we cut right now heading back towards Ifold. 
Not surprising a muddy path cut through the woods and then around a field with specimen sheep and an Emu, before exiting onto Rickman's lane.
Crossing over and down a track to yet another stream crossing and more mud.
On the other side, through a sheep pasture to the deer enclosure and the "always muddy" gate entrances. We were back on familiar territory, as this is one of the regular circuits to Plaistow, coming out on Foxbridge lane. Down the lane and out into Ifold village and home. 



09 January 2021

Plastow/ Alfold/ Loxwood Circuit, Local

 Deep in the second lock down of Covid-19 ...  encouraged to stay local we chose not to use the van to get to a walk, but use the local tracks...  with the exception of going a little further than usual.


The idea was to head out to Plaistow for the usual Saturday bread run, then cut over to the Sussex border path, crossing the canal and through Alfold Bars, before cutting down to the canal again at Loxwood and back home.

Bertie, of course, was happy to head in the direction of the Croissant shop, and although we were too late for bread loaves there was still his favourites, and a little treat for lunch.
Next up the track to Plaistow place.
Plaistow place ...  a very interesting looking house, before cutting across the fields to the north, and into Hog Wood.
Gradually things got muddier.
Dropping down hill the path got narrow and very slippy, until it rose up the other side of the valley and met up with the Sussex border path, which was worse for wear with the number of people that had recently used it
At Lee House farm the border path mutates into The Lane ...  A glorified drive but as a prepared surface has survived the mud, and makes for easier walking.
At the "designer" house, we follow. again. the bnorder path as it cuts up tot he canal ... this is an old favourite track, though usually in the opposite direction.
The canal looking peaceful, apart from some people cutting firewood.
I did like the lichen growing on the old footpath sign, as we followed the track that was prepared for the restoration of the lock, past Okehurst farm and up the road to the "Titch".
Crossing the road and continuing on the other side ...  this is the back road to village houses and a number of farms.
Stopping at some convenient logs in a sun break for lunch. Bertie poised for any scraps.
At the end of the drive, the path continues into the woods, and quickly degenerates into a mud quagmire. We frequently took to the banks on either side to escape the sucking oose.
This is the wood that is currently under protest against being used for clay extraction.
We started on the north side of the woods before cutting down a forestry track south to come out at the farm and workshops on the back road from Loxwood to Buck's Green.
there were a number of these traps attached to the brush in the woods - presumably to check for endangered species for the clay extraction.
Across the road, the path continued down to the canal through some fields of winter fodder, eventually coming out at Brewhurst lock.
The lock was bathed in the afternoon sunlight, and we were not alone in taking pictures.
From here, we followed the well worn track back home, taking the road, to avoid the "crowds" on the tow path, then across the fields to headsfoldwood farm and the road to Ifold.
The longest walk of the Covid era as we boke 15kms!