Peasmarsh to Ifold via Wey South Path, Local

 

The van had to go into the garage as there was a terrible "clonk" sound coming from the front suspension, and I was worried it was something important. It was also an opportunity to get the exhaust replaced as well as getting them to check out the alternator squeal - maybe a belt and tightening would prevent a more serious issue.

Dropping het van off at Peasmarsh van centre I planned to walk back home along the canal path, so Bertie and I headed out of the garage and down to the old railway track that would become the downs link path, crossing the Wey navigation on the flood plains.

The track crossed the A281 at Stone bridge passing the new visitors centre for the Wey and Arun canal society. However it also passed the large layby with a very convenient snack van where we snaffled a bacon baguette for an unplanned bonus breakfast.

This part of the path followed the old railtrack bed almost all the way to Cranleigh .. lots of straight and almost level as well as paved at this end wide track walking. There were only a few glimpses of thigs to see through the bushes at either side, which were lush and green at this time of year, even the weir could only be heard and not really seen.

A buzzing overhead turned out to be a flight of three powered parascenders.

Coming into the village of Bramley the track went through the remains of the station, and the permanently open level crossing gates.

There is nothing left of the canal through the village, as it is all built upon, but the old rail track is a well used track.

I did notice someone's garden which was landscaped around a stream that flowed through it and down to the river off to the left of the track.

the track continued into the distance.

Leaving Bramley behind the canal reappeared down below for a while, and the track continued into the distance

A mile post showed 3 miles to Cranleigh, and a long way to South Downs Way. We passed under several bridges before gettign to the bridge at Run common where the road is blocked while they fix the canal crossing.

At this point the Wey South path heads off on a ramble away from the canal, which we could have taken, but with a long way to go I stuck to the shorter route along the old rail track.

A little later the canal came back and crossed under the rail track continuing for a while in the woods very overgrown, although it had been cleared at some point. 

The time arrived to part rom the Downs link track, and cut south ...  the Wey south path was overgrown passing through nettles, brambles and ferns, then over a footbridge and into a field

The field exited onto a wide farm track and picked up the canal as it passed the farm buildings - Bertie had been in several puddles already, but this one was very dark and smelly, which caused several repeated washes to remove later.

A confusing point at the single lane bridge on the Cranleigh road. the path actually went through what looking like a garden gate with no signs on the outside and then across a garden, before continuing along the canal.

There followed a sectionalong the canal before we arrived at one of those odd sections  where the canal was not in public ownership and we had to divert around three sides of a square to bypass the private land. However I do wonder how many just walk down the dry canal bed.. We passed down the side of the old nursery site which is now being converted into housing..

A short section down the road then back to the canal along the drive for Uttworth Manor

A further short section along the canal and then the path diverted back out to the road - if the road was not so busy and narrow then I could have been tempted to by pass this last section of canal and stay on the road all the way to Flash bridge.

The junction at Flash bridge was a major waypoint on this walk as it marked the point where we moved to the local track region we had walked many times.

Across the A281 again and into the tress on the other side for a short bit.

The track opened up into a field leading toe the mobile home park behind the three compasses pub. There was a new crossing built across the canal into Dunsfold Aerodrome, but the Wey South path did not go near it, instead crossing over to follow the road down to Tickner's Heath and works to build a new road crossing for the canal

Moving away from the road into the Sydney Woods car park, and a short respite for some lunch. There used to be a picnic table and benches , but sadly only one bench survived today. I tried to pass a message on about progress but there was no phone reception in this area.

Through the woods and onto the the wider track - the canal a faint trace away in the woods.

Picking up the canal again as we weaved through Sydney wood ... another area where there is a more direct route that if I repeated the journey that would shorten the trip.

Having cleaned off the last layer of the smelly ouse, Bertie just reinforced it again!

Away from the canal as it went through private land around the old lock house. Then back again At High bridge - now on very familiar territory, leading down to the lock at Gennets wood. A short refreshment stop to gather for the final push.

The top cleared section leadign to Jopdy's house and then the final section along to the track back into the village.

The canal looking clear and reflective in the fully restored part we had now reached.

The last lap through the village and back home...  25kilometers in just over 5 hours... Time for putting my feet up and several pints of liquid.