Sue had to go for an X-ray in Cranleigh and as it was timed for 12 noon I
worked out a route to take me there arriving about the time she was to come
back, so I could get a lift. The idea was to cross to the canal, then follow
it to Drungewick then along the usual route to Gibbons Mill. From here
crossing diagonally to Rudgewick where I could pick up the Dows link to
Cranleigh.
Of the many routes we use to get to the canal Bertie wanted to go down the path
to Orchard Cottage - not a direct route but it does avoid the road section down
to Headfoldswood farm. then across the fields to Brewhurst lane and down to the
canal. Then along the canal to Drungewick lane, up the lane and down the path
opposite the farm. There were cows in the field above that chased us but we
hurried through the kissing gate to their annoyance. Past Newhouse farm and down
to Gibbons mill.
The farm of the same name was moving cows around so we hurried across the
field behind the farm and onto a farm track.
Our route left this track to cross a small stream and more scrubby fields (one
with a couple of ponies in it that left us alone)
Approaching Howick farm we had to negotiate a couple of fields of Shetland
ponies who were very curious about us and we had to ignore then and escape
onto the driveway. This came out onto haven road whioh we crossed trying to
find the path onwards.
After visiting a cottage down a driveway I realised the path was the other
side of a fence, however after backtracking we found the entrance very
overgrown, and there was no way through. So back to haven road and following
it until we could take a byway parallel to our original route. The byway led
to a back road/ driveway that we followed until it met our original route, and
we could turn down a driveway on the correct path.
After the house the path followed a narrow channel between fields, down to the
river Arun, where we crossed on a slimy footbridge. The other side we climbed
up the bank towards Rudgwick and the A281.
Over the A281 the path continued between gardens and into a residential area.
We navigated around the estate to find a twitten behind the primary school
that led up to the Downs link.
Along the Downs link, until we reached the Sussex Border path where we had to
zigzag up and through South Wood to avoid the closed section through a
tunnel.
Descending down the other side and back onto the Downs link at Cox green road.
Passing the old station house (now a private residence) on the old railway and
following it all the way to Cranleigh.
We continued on the Downs link past Snohall (where we had started on the
poddle), across Knowle lane and along the back of the new housing estate
before crossing into the car park.
We found Sue's car and then walked back to the pedestrian square outside
Sainsburys to wait (and eat snacks).
Sue was not long and we returned home for lunch.
