Blackheath, Farley Wood, and Winterfold Circuit, North Downs

 Sue had gone back to work, so Bertie and I were on our own again ... I had chosen to go north of Cranleigh to the hills between there and the North Downs. There was a route around Farley Wood, but I wanted to extend it slightly so had chosen to start somewhere on Blackheath - there were two car parks marked, albeit down some very narrow lanes.

Driving past the first one on Littleford lane was very full and I did not want to fight for a space, there were some places beside the road, but I went on to Blackheath lane car park and would have come back if that was also full..  however there was a single space left. I suspect this one is used by the local houses as well as dog walkers.

Out of the van we cut through the woods and down to the Fox Way, and followed this through the scots pines and slightly downhill.

We had set off early and the sun was still rising, so there were some interesting shadows through the trees. the route was more like beach walking than in the hills here, until we moved to the side of the forest area, where it was a little more loamy.

Leaving the Fox way and climbing up the the slight incline on the other side of the dip. The track merged into a track emanating from the end of Green lane.

Going through the copses on the other side up to the edge of the open access area near the Farley Heath  carpark. A slight deviation to avoid another walker and we met again at the car park.

The car park was the opposite of the one I had left the van in .. this was huge and empty, however we moved through it, across the road and into Farley Heath.

A brief area of open heathland where the trees had been harvested., before returning to the trees.

A sharp turn West as we reached Madgeholt lane - a straight(ish) trackway, along an old drove track sunken into a gouged out dip. 

AN interesting bridge over the lane linking two of the many Christmas tree enclosures on both sides.

At the point where the lane met a tarmac road we turned and followed it up the drive way to Madgehole farm.

Up past the farm, and the house beyond, into their garden before cutting up a narrow passage beside their garage.

Climbing back up the rolling hills past more Christmas tree plantations, with a number of grouse - who seemed to have escaped the local shoots.

Towards the edge of the ridge, and meeting  the Greensand way feeding in from the West.

Crossing the tarmac road climbing up the steep slope down to our right and up a series of steps on the other side to reach yet another large car park.

Still following the Greensand way, I had hoped to have some views to the south, however it was almost constantly within the woods.

Then all of a sudden we came across this structure ... made of wooden tiles with quotes on them around a metal seat.

At last a view through a cutting, from the seat ... however the haze covered the south downs in the distance.

Then it was back into the trees

A major path crossing where the route of the London to Brighton off road cycle route goes down the steep slope, and a quintessential English sign to keep horse riders (horse and bike) off their drive!

Once more back into the woods as we contoured around the top of the ridge, before another view point with a sculptured seat - although the view was wider than the last one it was less detailed than the previous one due to the height of the trees below!

Dropping down to another car park at the junction of roads, then we crossed over to return along the other side of the ridge past yet another car park.

A brief view to the North downs ... I thought I could see Newlands corner car park.

Then we picked up the course of an old roman road to Winterfold cottage.

We stopped here for a brief drink - Bertie had half a litre so must have been thirsty!

Beyond the cottage we picked up another of the old drove roads - Ride Lane - steadily downhill in a very straight line. We followed this until we arrived at Farley Green.

The large Farley Hall, and the village green.

A welcome swim for Bertie in the village pond, and then we set off down a driveway for several houses.

An open area before entering Blackheath forest. A south facing seat with a flowerpot.

The heathland and heather in the baking sun ...  now we were out of the trees it was very hot and stifling. ... it was good fortune we had spent the majority of the route out of direct sun.

The final area of scots pines standing tall out of the sand, and then back to the car park, now with plenty of room.

Picnic in the van sheltering from the full blaze of the sun, before returning home.