A bright clear and warm day was forecast and we had signed up for the 20km
poddle (the WACT - Wey and Arun canal trust - annual sponsored
walk), so plenty of water for Bertie, as we would be fed and watered on the
way around. This year's poddle started at Petworth house up to Lurashall and
back again, mainly following routes that Bertie and I had done last year.
We parked in the main Pulborough car park and walked up to the Battery house -
used during the days before mains electricity - to register. We were early and
waited patiently outside to complete the signing in ceremony and collect our
route card, however as the crowd grew so the rudeness began, with later
arrivals barging to the front eager to depart before everything was ready. I
kept Bertie out - he was worried by the crowds and being cornered - while Sue
joined the scrum and collected our map.
The first part was in the Deer park and we entered under the tunnel beside the
big house. Once in the park we turned down the Hawhaw heading towards the
kennels
Then across the lower part of the park and the lower pond, following the track
leading to the lodge and an exit gate. this gate is normally locked, but the
WACT had permission to use it for a short period during the morning.
Into the woods beyond where we settled into a separation for the other groups.
Along the tarmacked track passing the fishing lakes.
A slight climb up to the second lodge and the slope beyond, before the view
opened out to Black Down and the temple of the winds.
Continuing on the track through the estate farmland, passing a refreshment stop
where the track changed to gravel. Exiting onto a back road beside another
lodge, before continuing along the road passing Gatehouse farm.
At a crossroads we left the road and into grass fields climbing slightly heading
towards Northchapel. Several stiles along here, more of a problem for Sue than
Bertie. A sharp turn in a grass field as we began to circle back round to
Lurgashall.
We dropped down into the small hamlet of Hillgrove on a shady back road, before
turning back into a grass field.
The original planned route would soon have turned south towards Lugashall,
however a recent path closure had forced a diversion and we continued towards
Black Down and the visible Temple of the Winds.
Eventually turning down the next track towards Lurgashall - still in grass
fields
Leaving the grass fields onto a farm track, that mutated into a driveway heading
down into Park Farm.
A zigzag between ponds at Park farm, before crossing a field into the back of
the church graveyard. Through the churchyard and onto the Lugashall village
green beside the Noah's Ark pub. Through the village to the village hall and
lunch stop - roll, salad, ham, cheese, crisps, biscuits etc. together with tea.
Slightly too much but marred by the rudeness of people once more pushing
through. Sue was suffering with her feet and legs so I had sat her down whilst I
sorted food, and got wound up by the pushing to get first. Bertie made the most of the excess, hoovering up anything unwanted.
After lunch we headed down Mill lane back towards Petworth, before following a
path beside rape fields. the path came out on the driveway to Mill farm
We crossed the dam at the end of Mill Pond, and past Mill farm - which had some
Clay pigeon shooting going on to Bertie's consternation. Continuing along the
green lane beyond to dirty bridge field (a wooded area).
After the woods we had views of Bexleyhill , then turning through crop fields
past Lord's Wood
Just before Lodge farm we joined the Serpent Trail and followed it down to cross
the stream below the farm. Bertie dropped into the water and looked at the
bridge we would cross.
From Lodge farm we continued on the Serpent Trail through grass fields heading
towards Upperton Common.
Into the woods of Upperton common, climbing - initially fairly modestly, then
steeper, until near the top it was very steep an most people were blowing
hard.
Out at the top and the afternoon refreshment stop - further on than half way,
but ideally suited for a rest after the climb. After a pause we left on the last
lap down through Upperton, and into the deer park via the back gate.
We walked down the opposite side of the park to this morning back towards the big house and passing the Upper pond. The park had views all the way down to the South Downs
After rounding the end of the pond we aimed for the big house and the tunnel route back towards the battery house.
Back at the Battery house we signed out and received out certificates. Then paused for a cup of tea and a slice of cake, luckily we were ahead of most of the crowd so avoided the push and shove. Back to the van in the main village car park with a diversion to the shop for some ice-creams. Sue was worn out and ready for a long rest, Bertie just wanted more ice-cream.
