Another week another piece of the South Downs Way jigsaw. Extending the line to the West filling in the piece between Grafham and Cocking.
Across the East side of the road (quiet at this time of the day) was a very straight lane heading to Hill Barn and a huge sawmill collection of buildings.
At the farm shop we turned left and set off back down the hill to the village of Cocking.
The chalk track, quite steep in places, weaved down the ridge side to the village.
At the edge of the village we turned right along the back lane heading towards Heyshott. A single track road, we only followed for a short way before cutting up a drive to a converted barn. the footpath was not obvious until we found the sign at the barn.
We now followed a path across the arable fields, some of it had been over ploughed, and we were thankful that the rain of the previous weeks had dried sufficiently that the mud was only surface deep.
Nearer Hayshott the fields changed into horse pasture.
Looking up to the South Downs, and the way back, as the sun had finally driven off the low cloud/ mist of the night.
The path exited the pasture back onto the road we had begun the traverse on.
Heyshott was a typical Sussex village, with houses along the roads and a church in the centre.We cut off the road taking a bypass footpath
Cutting behind the village beside more arable fields, some of this had been ploughed away, as it is easier not to lift the plough over it.
The path converted into a farm track, until it met the chalk track heading up to the downs through some woods.
Up hill through the woods, some bits steeper than others.
There were also three deer hiding in the trees ... I only managed to get a photo of their feet!
The sun shining through the trees, causing some nice effects, as we got towards the top of the ridge.
We set of East to start with, just so that we could join up with the spot where we turned around on the neighbouring piece of the jigsaw.
Up on the ridge - flat and wide heading off in both directions.
Stopping at the turnaround point for a snack and drink.
The track back along the ridge was very much like a byway, but with very little traffic.
We made a small diversion to the Trig point and to look North towards the North Downs and Hogsback .... somewhere in the mist.
The byway continued in very much directly to the car park, dropping down to the valley and the road.
Looking across the other side of the valley, the continuing South Downs Way stood out white against the green fields. A route for another day.
Back at the farm/ saw mill we saw a water tap ... seems like water supply on the South Downs way is a problem - I guess in the height of summer. It is strange how you see these things at some times and no others..
Back down the road to the car park and a pleasant picnic in the van, before driving back home.
