Bertie was still not well and I had to leave him at home... So I took the opportunity to park in Woods Mill - an RSPB reserve that has a ban on dogs - then walk through the reserve and pick up a footpath going over to the A23. From there heading north parallel to the major road through Albourne Green, curving around Hickstead. Across to the river Adur, then down to Henfield before trying to find a way back to the reserve.
Parked in the reserve and setting off across the bridge and through a number of picnic areas before picking up a path beside the stream.
The reserve woodland gave way to rough pasture with a few wild cattle. I followed the mown path to the end of the reserve and onto the footpath that touched the boundary. Beyond were the South Downs and the masts on Truleigh Hill.
Turning away from the downs and through grass fields to a driveway towards Oreham manor farm.
Now crossing a sheep field into horse paddocks.
A strange diversion option - perhaps I should have taken it as the path through the paddocks was not obvious and I had to negotiate several fences to get on track. This led to mown grass fields.
Around Lower Edburton Barn and down the concrete farm track after it. This passed a small collection of cottages
Then on looking at Devil's Dyke hill, turning down the side of the field to Perching Sands farm.
Here the path followed the house boundary and past the associated cottages (dated for Victoria and Albert). The driveway looked over to the Downs between Truleigh Hill and Devil's Dyke.
Down the drive slightly until a path on the left, over the fields to Brook house - I had been on this short section before.
Across a back road, then climbing the slope beyond on a diagonal. At a dirt farm track I followed it after a sharp turn towards Poynings Grange farm.
Passing through young vineyards on the track as it approached the farm and a series of paddocks.
Across the horse paddocks angling to the A281, crossing it opposite the scout activity centre - I had been here for my outdoor first aid course.
Down the farm track beside the centre and through more vineyards. reaching a barn in the middle of several grass fields.
A strange zigzag in the fields and the path left the track and over rough grass to Locks Green farm.
Around the farm and down to a stream. I lost the path here and followed a garden path and out down the drive
Along the B2117 to the entrance to Singing Hills golf course. Here along a stone track through the golf course.
Along the track and into the fields beyond.
Up passing Bishop's place and along a green lane
Following the lane to Albourne Green reaching a back road.
Down a twitten beside the local school and through an industrial estate that led to a further green lane.
The lane ended at a harvested field facing Valley farm business park, which was approached beside a corn field.
Around the outside of the industrial park in a rough grass field and through a grass field to Cobbs barn.
Down the drive way to Stuccles farm, then into horse paddocks towards a back road.
Over the road and down a path beside Herrings farm, which mutated into a wider dirt track.
This green track crossed fields to end up at great Wapses farm (now residential with horse stables).
Down beside Wyndham farm and over the lane of the same name. A track then led to the driveway to Roma farm.
Along the driveway to Abbeylands farm, where I transitioned onto a farm track towards the river.
Along the river Adur as it curved slightly around. This was more popular than the other tracks I was using today.
The bridge over the weir was closed for repairs, and luckily it was not the one I was to use.
Instead I turned down towards Shiprods farm, and around it in a meadow field.
Now crossing the fields towards Chestham Park. There were various signs along here indicating "Hidden Henfield" this was the three parishes trail.. There was a route I could have taken here into Henfield along the driveway to Shiprods farm, I will know for a future route.
Instead I followed the track along the side of Chestham park and all its "keep out" signage and "stay in the fields and not on the driveway" signs. I followed this up to the entrance and around to the A281 coming out into a lay-by. From here up the main road into Henfield.
In the village centre after a stop into Sainsburys for some liquid refreshment. Then down a path into the new estates behind the main road. these paths were all bounded by garden fences on both sides.
I worked my way down to Henfield common in a series of knight moves. Now along a dirt track to the end of the common. Past the cricket pitch and over the A281.
Down a driveway to access grass fields looking towards the downs. then up a driveway to the A2037
Along the road for a section then taking the footpath into horse fields where I followed the most used track which diverted to the industrial estate ... after correcting this using the entrance to the golf course, where I got back on track.
This ended at Oreham common, and I used the back road - horn lane to return to the reserve car park.
