The weather was still dry, however a bit of a damp cold breeze, so staying
local Bertie and I headed for the jubilee playing fields near Billingshurst
for a circuit that would take us across the canal through Newpound then back
north and re-crossing the canal at Malham then back through the fields to the
recreational ground.
We parked up, suitable as far as we could from the "exercise" class of people
shadow boxing in a loop in front of the changing rooms. Heading out alongside
the pond to the path along the back. We nipped over the stile into the field
used for dog walking, in the hope that we could meet our projected path on the
other side, however the fence had not holes and we had to keep in the field
until a gat then go back down the correct side
Once on the designated path we followed back along the hedge and then into the
woods - We could have nipped into the woods form the back path I guess, but we
will have another try one day.
The path followed the edge of the wood before turning into pasture fields, all
with stiles and very small dog hole, that required Bertie to be hauled over the
top. This eventually came out on the back road beside Rowner Farm.
Crossing through the farmyard and then down a well rutted muddy track down to
the river, where there were some complex weirs and ponds.
then across Rowner lock - still waiting for the rest of the canal to catch
up.
On the other side of the canal we continued through the sheep grazing field up
to Paplands farm, then down its drive way to the B2133 at Newpound. We came out
opposite the Bat & Ball, before following the minor road down past it
heading for Fisher's farm.
Opposite the attraction we took another farm driveway heading to Howfold farm,
which continued as a farm track once past the farm buildings. Turning sharp
right onto crop fields we headed north back towards the Wey South Path.
Crossing over the B2133 once again and onto a path through the woods (the path
is to the side of the Smale farm drive). In the woods the path follows a vehicle
track in a circuitous route before coming out to arable fields beyond.
This merges with a farm track as it heads north to Malham farm over a slight
shoulder in the land.
The ponds at Malham farm, crossing on the causeway, then through the farmyard
and down the track beside it - we had been down this track several times
before.
Across the canal once again at Malham lock (the one in the middle of nowhere -
the trust does not have access to the canal line either side of it). following
the canal line up to the next bridge before turning back into the fields.
Back over the pasture fields towards Bignor Wood (where we had been earlier in
the year, just heading the other way). the flooded section was still wet but
much drier.
Out on the back road which we followed down to Okehurst farm, which seemed much
more a collection of converted properties, than a farm.
A short section down Rowner road before taking the path left and down into the
woods across a stream.
Out the other side and through a field (marked for cattle but empty today), then
another short section into a wood.
We were back in the area of stiles with impossible small gaps that required
Bertie to be hauled over - he was pretty fed up of it by now! More pasture
fields with sheep and a couple of pigs and lots of mud as we approached Tedfold.
On the other side the fields opened out and the path easier - presumable as we
were now on the outer reach of the dog walkers
Into the playing fields and around the pitches to the clubhouse, before finally
coming around to the van. The carpark a lot emptier once all the classes had
finished.
