It was sunny this morning, with a good forecast, so Bertie and I went
off for a local walk (just in case the mud was still overpowerful). The idea
was to head across to Plaistow then to upper Ifold and across to the Canal.
Finally back down the canal and return home across the adder field.
We set off up the ride and then down the lane (just for a change) to Hogwood
farm. Beside the road the woodland was showing the Bluebells. There we
backtracked through the fields to the normal Bread run route. There was a bit of
mud on the path behind the farm but it was drying. Through the fields - still
slightly waterlogged - up to the driveway to Oakhurst.
Next to Oakhurst and Plaistow Place we followed the bridleway through the field
around the house (also water logged). Then into Hog Wood where the Bluebells
were covering large areas. The section of the bridleway down to the stream was
very boggy and mashed up mud, however once over the path improved.
At the SBP we turned to Dungate farm. Initially there was lots of Bluebells,
however once we had to cross the two streams they disappeared and the mud
returned. In Upper Ifold wood we cut through the trees to gain a second
bridleway heading to Upper Ifold farm, luckily not too many brambles.
This second bridleway was a real swamp and we could not get away from it until
we dropped down to Upper Ifold Farm. One of the farm buildings had a whole
paddock of Bluebells behind it.
We followed the farm driveway up to Knightons until it met the back road.
turning here towards Alfold we picked up the Wey South path through Sydney Wood
coming out at High Bridge. Now on the newly acquired by WACT section of the path
down to Gennets Bridge. This was not as muddy as other routes, since the regular
foot traffic had actually defined a dryer route.
From Gennets bridge lock we continued down the canal - initially on the new
towpath, then on the muddier version past Jodie's old house until it reached the
improved section once again. From here across the Adder field and back down the
drive to get home.
