I had to go to Midhurst to drop the antique clock off at the shop for a tickle
- it was not not striking properly, and I also wanted to check out a sneaky
car parking place that I could use for a number of walks. I had in mind a walk
along the river Rother from Midhurst to Trotton then back through Iping,
Steadham and Midhurst Commons.
We parked in an area behind some houses and picked up the Jubilee path towards
the South Pond behind the library.
We then crossed the old road and down a back lane called the Wharf . This ended
at an open area looking at the 11th century castle mound. We had a slight
diversion up to the top and down the other side.
Beyond the mound we entered the meadows towards the Cowdray house ruins, then on
following the river down the house drive.
Across the A272, and another diversion to see the weir opposite the mill
building.
A bit further along the A272 we picked up the river path once again as it
followed the side of the college grounds, then through the flood meadows
beyond..
A small section of decking, and then we rose away from the river into a grass
field and continued parallel to the river.
Looking over to Woolbeding and this strange structure, before continuing across
the field, through a small wood and another field.
We crossed Woolbeding bridge and into another field beside the other bank of the
river.
Up a slight bank above the river and around a bend opposite Stedham Mill
Continuing in the fields beside the river, and around a bend opposite Stedham
Hall. Across the bridge and then along the other bank.
Following the bank under Rotherhill house, until it came out at the village of
Iping. Along a narrow path beside the houses, with open fields above.
The path then rose into several fields of horses, mutating into a fenced off
path to the back road from Chithurst
We followed the road back to the A272. Where they met we crossed over and into
Trotton Common beyond.
Across the common and down the slope of the heathland.
Across a back road and into Fitzhall plantation. The path climbed up over a bump
then down a lane before continuing along the edge of the Mitchell's common pond/
lake (hidden behind a bank of laurel)
Across a back road and down a path across the fields of Minsted farm. The path
led into the woods of The Warren - a plantation of tall pine trees.
Across another back road and into Midhurst common (at an unmarked car park).
From here we climbed up in sparse trees crossing the Serpents trail.
Curving around the disused sand pit of Midhurst Common and down past the old industrial site. Continuing on the site driveway to the A286 and the outskirts of Midhurst.
A short section on the A286 before we could turn down Jubilee path that led back to the car park.
Back at the van, I dropped off Bertie, before picking up the clock. I then walked back along the path to the pond then around the back of the post office to reach the clock shop. Then returning the way I had come for lunch.
