BOC Walk, Staunton Way (North)

The second BOC retirees walk that I attended was an almost repeat of an AAC walk last year, although later in the year meaning that it would be able to use the subway under the railway line. I was on my own as lunch would be at the Red Lion and I knew that if we were put into the restaurant then Bertie would not be allowed in (with the AAC we could request the snug but that may have been a step too far for this group).

We all met up at the regular stop of the car park beside the church and pond in the village of Buriton. Once we set off along the trail below the ridge line.

Up the milky way track to the ridge line, which only had one steeper section. Over the South Downs way (SDW) and onto the Staunton way (SW) through the woods traversing the side of a spur leading south. This path comes out onto the access track to Ditcham Park school, then (leaving the SW) descending steeply down to Downley Hanger up the other side less steeply and over the Sussex border path  

The environment opened out to crop fields now with a wide chalk track between them. We zigzagged along the field boundaries and down to Cowdown lane. Along this lane until we re-joined the Staunton way, and turned into more fields.

Through the rape and bean fields heading down to Idsworth.

Leaving the SW again to visit the Norman church sitting lonely in a field above the valley bottom.

Looking through the church at the frescos and the Norman structures.

Leaving the church and down to the valley bottom, over the back road and a staggered crossing led to the subway under the railway line. Another climb up the opposite side along the hedge line to the crop fields above the horse paddocks

Back on the SW (and Sussex Border path - SBP), we followed the track along the ridge top of Chalton down. Into the village of the same name through the church yard opposite the Red Lion. 

Lunch stop ...  as is usual with these big groups it takes time to get food and drink for all, but was tasty.

After lunch we continued north along the same path as before, climbing through the fields to the edge of Queen Elizabeth Forest.

In the QE forest we left the SW and SBP dropping to New barn lane. Along the lane slightly before climbing the chalk track into Head Down hanger. This track climbed then traversed around the higher points before a sharp turn led back down to the SDW

The final section was to follow a steep path through the woods back to the car park at Buriton. Short goodbyes and I set off back home.

Sussex Literary Trail, Barns Green Section

Another hot day was predicted so i left Bertie at home and left on my own for a local walk. I aimed to park in Shipley near the windmill, then walk across the Coolham airfield to meet the West Sussex Literary Trail. Up the trail past Barns Green to Itchingfield, before turning across the railway track and down back roads to Dragons green. Over the A272 and back to the car park.

Leaving the van in the layby in the village, and then back along the road towards the school, turning into a grass field at a bend in the road.

Following farm tracks through the fields and across a back road. Into fields leading towards the end of the WWII grass runway location.

Across the end of the runway site - now a wheat field.

On the south side along the edge of the fields to Bridge Hill farm.

Along the B2139 to reach a field gate and into several grass fields leading to Goringlee

After circumventing the yards the path climbed up a farm track to Patmans farm.

Down the farm driveway to the A272 and a staggered crossing onto the Sussex Literary trail. 

The path followed the overgrown edge of a chalk road, which gradually deteriorated.

Into a grass field where the path kind of disappeared and I struggled to find the route (which actually followed the new road rather than the hedge as on the map). Back on the farm track and over a stream continuing on the farm track.

Leaving the farm track to follow the trail up the side of a field to Emmetts farm (now residential). The path went around the edge of the garden, rather than straight across.

Aroudn the farm and up the driveway until it turned, and the trail continued through a recently mown hay field.

After the hay field the track climbed up to a concrete farm track

Past some buildings with old military vehicles - presumably getting ready for the Capel show.

The track continued around a residential house on past Bullbrook house farm and down its drive

The drive crossed the main railway line via a gated crossing

Down a drive on the other side of a back road. At the house boundary the path went into the trees

Coming out between two high hedges,,,  these actually hid a huge campsite - this was Sumners pond and cafe.

Now along a wide dirt track leading up beside the Muntham house school with all its "keep out" signs. The path merged onto a driveway leading away towards Itchingfield.

Just before Itchingfield I turned off the driveway and through the hedge and down an overgrown path to a back road.

Over the road and along the path beside Marlands park estate. Back over the railway line and onto farm tracks past Rye farm Gill to Richmond farm.

Turning the wrong way along the back road before turning around and going the correct way. Finding a bridleway into the woods.

The path merged onto Crookhorn lane - an very rutted track with large tussocks. the track past Crookhorn farm continuing to Netherwood and onto the back road of the same name,

I found a track at the side of the road in the trees, and turned too quickly through the woods as there was a good track. This led to a grass field I had to tramp through until I found a way to cross the fence onto the proper track.

Through the correct grass field to Dragons green road, where after a short refreshment break I began the next road section.

Down the road to the edgeof Dragons Green where I could cut the corner off through a field to the George and Dragon pub

Down beside the pub and over the A272, eventually reaching school lane. down the lane passing some pothole repairers before I could leave into the fields crossing toe Church farm north.

through the fields towards the windmill and the car park. Returning to a very hot van, and soaking in sweat - air conditioning on the way home was desperately needed.