Canal & SBP Home Circuit

 It has rained for several days now and more forecast today, however getting restless and I decided on a local walk where I could get wet and not be far from dry clothes. My idea was to walk up the canal over the newly refurbished section between Gennets Bridge and Sidney Wood, and through the woods to the car park. If it was still dry I would continue on the canal path over the A281and along Lions lane to the Downs link. From here, if still dry, then down the downs link to the SBP and back along this path until the junction of paths that leads down to Loxwood. Through Loxwood and back to the canal before returning home.

Starting from home and walking through the village, then down the Lane and along Ifold Bridge lane to reach the canal. Along to the lock at Gennets bridge and onto the newly refurbished towpath.

The new towpath was looking good, and most of the canal had been cleared. Along this to the edge of Sydney wood.

Through Sydney Wood and back onto the towpath after the old lock house. Continuing beside the canal trace into the nature reserve, before doubling back at the privet sign to go through the car park and up to Dunsfold road, beside the new foot bridge. Along the road to the Compasses junction.

Into the bushes beside the mobile home park - this was the first time today that the undergrowth encroached on the path and my trousers got wet. Over the field behind and across the A281, following Alfold road over flash bridge to pick up Lion's lane.

Along this Byway to Knowle lane, a small zigzag into fields before reaching the Downs link.

Down the Downs link as it gently curved left before reaching Baynards station - now a residential place. Still on the Downs link up the hill and into South Wood to reach the junction with the Sussex Border Path (SBP). The rain had just started once again.

Along the SBP out of the woods into what was now heavy rain and low cloud covering the view to the south downs. Along the SBO onto Hillhouse lane passing numerous holes created by the water people replacing water mains. Into the grounds of the Japanese school. The path now was more overgrown and I was soaked at this point below my jacket. Through Hope rough and up the farm drive way to the junction where I turned south towards Loxwood.

The rain had dried up a bit and the low clouds risen slightly in the fields approaching Loxwood. Turning off this to descend to the village and over Spy lane to the B2133

Down the path behind the old post office to Devil's hole lock. Along the canal for the short section to the path through the adder field and up the twitten o the village. Through the village back home.