The weather was changeable today with some rain forecast, so I chose to get a
lift to Wellcross Grange with Sue, as she was off to see her mother, then we
would walk back. This time crossing to Christ's Hospital then following the
downs link route to the outskirts of Slinfold, before taking a vaguely direct
route back home with only a slight zigzag in the middle. The second half would
follow one of the well used tracks along the canal route.
The usual start to walks from the nursing home, back along teh drive then along
the path across the landing strip. For a change there was a plane tied up
nearby.
Beyond the landing strip we crossed teh grain field and down the bridle path,
before following the river Arun towards Christ's hospital.
Bertie took a dip in the river before we curved around to pick up the Downs Link
path at Southwater (old) station
From here we joined the trace of the old railway heading back towards
Slinfold.
Along the Downs link corridor, passing the A264 and towards Slinfold, until we
could follow a path into a grass field. Crossing to the woods on the other side,
where we branched off through the trees.
More grass fields on the other side leading to Holmbush manor farm.
We merged onto one of the other "return from Wellcross" routes as we turned into
Chafers Copse. Across a back road and through a series of more grass fields that
eventually came out at teh A29. The path became more overgrown the closer we got
with the final field having blocked stiles.
The footpath continued on the other side of the A29 (a slight zigzag along the
road that could have been avoided using the house driveway). The start of the
path is through a garden gate and onto the house drive, then around the edge of
the house garden and down the back lawn to teh trees beyond.
through a field and into the back garden of Black Barn Farm - now more overgrown
than last time... presumable meadow planting without the flowers. Beyond
into a hay field heading around Riddens farm.
Over a back road and through a light wooded area, then through several pasture
fields - very over grazed.
A pause to tank up at teh field boundary before crossing back into the woods of
Furze field
Out of teh woods and alongside a grass field. A small navigation error where we
followed the wrong fence in a field and had to cut back, then climb the fence to
drop onto a concrete track. This led past a small lake where Bertie braved teh
black goo to have a dip.
passing Leverance farm we went through a huge wheat field, and across a dry
stream in the woods beyond to reach Shortloes farm. Across a back road and
through more random woods to teh side of Heathers Farm.
At a back road we followed it up to Gibbons Mill Farm, and then down the drive
to Gibbons Mill itself - we were now on one of the well used routes back
home.
From Gibbons Mill we continued past Newhouse farm and on to Drungewick Hill farm. From here we continued into Jenkins wood and on to Baldwin's Knob.
Finally dropping down to the Wey & Arun Canal at Brewhurst Lock. From the lock we took the lane passing Brewhurst Farm and up to B2133. Then across to Headfoldswood farm and along Plaistow road back home.
