Bertie and I hitched a lift to Billingshurst as Sue was off to Wellcross for her
weekly visit. We walked through from the library car park stopping for a bun
from the bakery in Jenger's Mead. Then across the high street and down the
Little East street. This led alongside the wooded area beyond. Out of the sun it
was freezing and I was glad of the gloves although they could have been
thicker!.
The other side of the woods led to the new estate over a grassy area and pond
then the northern bypass road. Beyond the houses we continued on the path into
the scrub.
Alongside a field and into Duckmoor Copse that came out at Wooddale lane.
Turning off beside some houses then into woods and over some grass fields.
Across New road and through a farm yard, and the paddocks beyond.
Across a grass field and through some trees - Prior's Furze where we
turned West. Across a frozen stream and over a stile.
A strange way across the next grass field, but indicated by the usual oak trees
in the middle. Then down the farm track beyond that went towards Home Farm
We left the track an across more grass fields and over a stream - the ice had
broken so Bertie could take a drink.
The other side went through a newly planted field of trees, then out onto the
footpath along the A29. Down the busy road until we could escape onto Oakhurst
Lane.
Leaving up a track going north and into fields (one of which had a flock of
solar panels).
At the farm buildings next to Inglefield manor school we zigzagged and continued
in the same direction
Opposite the school we passed a light railway track, before following along the
track as it turned West.
We left the track at Leverance farm, and turned sharply alongside the house
through a field and into the woods beyond.
Through Great Wood and Pond Wood to come out on Okehurst road. We had been this
way several times before.
Along the road until we could take a path down to the canal and bridges over the river and canal near Malham
farm. We did cross the canal too early and had to retrack back and go the
correct side.
Over the bridge at the lock and down the farm track to Malham farm, where we passed the cattle byres and zigzagged onto the drive.
I did not need the map from here as we had been many times over the years. Up the drive to the B2133, where we hurry up to the Drungewick lane. Crossing over down beside the house and the track beyond. This tack curved around cooper's copse and through Gunshot common. Across Skiff lane and along the drive to Walthurst farm.
Now we were on the parish boundary track and up to Fox and orchard cottages and thence through Ifold and home.
