Alfold Vets Circular, Local

 It was time for Bertie's health check at the vets ...  so I planned a walk where we could go via the Loxwood surgery to drop off Sue's prescription, then up to the Vets cross country. After the appointment we would go across to the new foot bridge across the canal at Dunsfold, back through Sydney wood, before crossing over to Burningfold Manor, and back home via the Sussex Border Path (SBP) and local routes.

We left going to Loxwood via the path down to the canal, down to Devil's hole lock, and climbing the other side up to the old Shop. through the village to the surgery to drop off the slip, then back out to station road to the track trough the fields beyond the village.

Passing through the fields we had the first shower of the day , followed by a rainbow arcing in front of us. we followed this path up to and beyond the SBP. By now the rain had returned with a vengeance and we got wet quite quickly. Here it bent away from our destination, and we missed the first path back, and had to continue to Hook street then come back to pick up the required route, coming into Alfold opposite the shop and chapel. We arrived at the vet 5 mins late - probably because we missed the short cut, but also because of the heavy rain shower.

We had to wait for 10 mins - opportunity to dry off a bit before we went in . The vet was pleased with him - good heart rate, target weight and looking healthy, then he had his boosters.

Leaving the vet and restoring the rainwear we crossed over and took the path beside the chapel, then the lane beyond. We picked up a path off this - initially well maintained however once passed the field gate this deteriorated to a bramble enclosed muddy track.

We arrived at the fields of Springbok estate, and crossed over them to the drive road. We followed this up to the back road around Dunsfold aerodrome, going past the old sailors rest homes, and fishing pond. Just light showers on the way through the estate.

Along the back road to the new canal footbridge - it is waiting for the council to allow work to start on the road bridge. Then into the Sydney Wood car park - we walked down the drive then took the diversion into the Fir tree copse nature reserve and followed its nature trail. Luckily we were in the woods when a heavy shower passed over and we missed the worse of it. We paralleled the Wey South Path (WSP) on paths in the woods, until we peeled away dropping down to Knightons.

A short section along the back road trying to find the on-going path, which was hidden down a driveway. The path crossed through an eventing training paddock, and grass fields onto another driveway leading to Hurlands. This driveway gradually degraded down to a 2 trace concrete track as it passed through a farm yard, heading towards Furnace Bridge.

Beyond the bridge the track rose gradually towards Burningfold manor. Just before reaching the buildings we separated from the track and crossed a field into Tidy's copse. After the woods our path took us across several grass fields (in streaming rain once again) and past a couple of houses, before we split right and worked our way through the woods to the meet the SBP close to Lee House Farm.

Back on very familiar territory and even the rain had stopped, we followed the SBP along the driveway until it split away and we stayed on the driveway, remaining with it all the way to the top of the ride.

Back home for lunch and some dry clothes.