My two yearly review at the opticians was up ... so I had to go over and have
my eyes checked out. The optician is in Cranleigh so I made sure the
appointment time would allow me to walk over and back - so 12 noon seemed like
a good time. I would walk up the close(ish) to direct route as I could make ..
so up to Loxwood then through the fields and across the Sussex Border Path and
up to the A281. Through the remains of the Wildwood golf course and woods
beyond to Knowle lane before crossing to the Downs link, hence into Cranleigh.
the return would be along similar lines.
I set out on the usual route to Loxwood - along Plaistow road and through the
fields behind Headfoldswood farm, then down the B2133. Along the Twitten to the
surgery from the canal to the Loxwood road. Now in the fields outside Loxwood
(not as muddy as I expected) which we followed up to new Songhurst farm, and
then the drive to the old Songhurst farm and the SBP.
Across the SBP and through the fields, at first on a farm track and then across
a soggy field dropping down to Hook Street by way.
The last time I went this way the path was difficult to find through Horton
farm, so we followed a forest track through the woods up to the A281 Horsham
road. At the A281 I had to cut back to Pallinghurst farm to take the path beside
it (this tie it had been cut back - last time it was amess of brambles).
Through the field behind and dropping down to Wildwood copse over a couple of
high electric fences.
Into Wildwood copse where the track was a little muddy but drier at the edges.
The bluebells were out under the trees. After the copse the path crossed the
remains of the golf course (now left to re-wild). and down the drive of Little
Wildwood farm.
Across wildwood lane and into Birch copse where more bluebells were showing. Our
path followed a faint track through the bluebells and out into a soggy
field.
Past Waterland - a large modern build, and down the driveway to come out onto
Knowle lane. Up the lane to the driveway leading to Snoxhall farm.
Just before Snoxhall farm the path cut across a mowed area and pond to the
fields beyond. Through the slightly soggy field edges and down to the edge of
the Downs link. Along the bottom of the bank - the path did not merge onto it
until a bridge a bit further along - I climbed the bank as soon as the track got
very muddy.
Now along the Downs link and into Cranleigh, leaving via the leisure centre and
up to the main street.
Along the main street picking up a few things for lunch.
It had started to rain - slightly more than drizzle as I went into the warmer
opticians slightly early to escape.
An hour later I was out and walking back along the high street on the return
journey. Cutting through the back of the shops to pick up the Downs link.
While I was in the Opticians the rain had eased but the wind had increased ion
strength.
Back along the Downs link and down the bank at the side once I was past the
muddy section on the path below. then returning to Snoxhall farm and its
pond.
On the return I took the drive down to Bridge farm and then along the field
behind that met up with our outward track in Birch copse. Through the copse and
across Wildwood lane and down the drive to Little Wildwood farm.
Along the drive, and into the derelict golf course
Through the woods at the edge of the course - muddy with dryer edges
At the Bluebell woods we diverted on a track through the trees to get the full
immersion experience.
Across the electric fences - not sure they were on - and climbing up a crop
field to Pallinghurst farm.
Across the A281 and over the stile opposite - I wanted to see if I could reverse
the path I had failed last year. There was a path on the other side of the stile
leading down the fence line. The path disappeared into the woods below the
field but then disappeared in the swamp. As this was obviously wrong I back
tracked and cut over the field to Horton farm, escaping into the yard and
through the fields beyond.
Looking back the way I came through (over a couple of broken fences) there were
signs all indicating "private" and what seemed like the real route was clogged
with brambles. It looked like it was still not properly sorted out. Now back on
the correct route we dropped through another "wild" field down to a driveway.
Across a field to Males farm and onto Hook street. Along the byway back to the
junction
Now back on the track back to Loxwood that we have walked many times before.
Views across to Hascombe hill and the south downs. the rain had passed over
though the wind was just as strong.
Just outside the barn of new Songhurst farm there was a Kestral hunting whilst
fighting the wind.
The return home I diverted so that I went through Loxwood and and down to the
canal and lock at Devil's hole.
Finally back through Ifold to home and release Bertie from his incarceration.
