Ifold, Alfold, Loxwood circuit, Local

 Staying very local this week ... the recent relaxation in lockdown had made the roads very busy and we wanted to wait for the novelty to settle down and traffic reduce.

I still had a couple of local routes plotted and we took one of these that headed through Sydney woods to Alfold and then back through Loxwood.

Heading up through Ifold on the Ride before turning down the Hogwood road. It was quite busy first thing with all the resident dog walkers on a short circuit. Once we had met the Sussex Border path we turned north heading for Sydney Farm, through a number of grass fields.

Close to Sydney Farm we entered some kind of animal rehabilitation zone with lots of smaller fields each with one or more styles between them. A bit of a challenge with some of the heights.

From Sydney Farm we turned onto the drive way an extension to Rosemary Lane - a back lane that wound around a number of isolated cottages, however it proved a dry route to walk.

At the entrance to Sydney Wood we passed over the canal path we had been down before. Continuing on the lane we cut over yet another path we had been on with a prior route and entered into the village of Alfold.

Taking a path around the side of the village between a new development, we crossed the road to Loxwood, and came out into more grass fields

The grass gave way to a field that grew sweetcorn last year, but had recently been spread with slurry ...  the path had disappeared under it - a very smelly paddle later even Bertie needed to wash off!

Looking across to the clay pits proposed development, before we met up again with the Sussex border path

A pause on the same log as last time we had been here for coffee and some sustenance ... Bertie of course wanted everything

Across the fields heading to Loxwood, passed the clock tower of Loxwood Hall behind some trees.

Looking across towards Hindhead/ Haslemere and, I think, Black Down and the temple of the Winds.

Closing in on Loxwood we passed this "sculpture" .. it looked good next to the pollarded tree.

Down the lane to the canal we then picked up the tow path route back home

Passing Sue's favourite tree, and the root tangle. Back home along the well trodden route.

Home in time for second lunch.