The forecast was showing a change with the overcast days moving away and a clearer day predicted. I had an afternoon appointment in the surgery in Petworth for a routine scan and decided that it would be impractical to walk there and back as it woudl be very dark by the time I got home given the time of the appointment. I agreed a lift back afterwards and planned a circle route out rather than the more direct one I have done before. I would walk out to Plaistow then continuing on to Northchapel. Across to Lurgashall, then down to Upperton and over Petworth park.
I started the route along the frequently used path for the standard Bread run. Across the village green and down the lane opposite, then over the fields behind the village.
Luckily the path was not too boggy through Sparrwood hanger, then along the side of grass fields. Finally crossing one of them to the farm track coming from Nell Ball.
The farm track changed into a green lane as it dropped down to cross a stream, then up along to Birchfield.
Down the driveway coming out onto Pipers Lane. Here I turned the wrong way and only reasoned when I reached Frithfold farm.
Back to Piper's cottages and along the correct way past Hammer Cottages. Taking the footpath cutting the bend in the lane.
The path crossed a newly planted field into a ploughed field, before it merged back onto Pipers lane.
Along past the air navigational beacon to Peacock's Farm. Down a gravel lane to the edge of Wet Wood.
At the edge of the wood (well through a corner of it) then across a grass field, and into another part of the wood.
Along the edge of a planted field to the edge of Northchapel. The path skirted the edge of the village, before cutting across to the the A283.
Over the A283 and down Hillgrove Lane to reach a path around the back of some houses. Around a field in some scrub before coming out in a horse paddock.
Over a slope and down the other side through grass fields. Dropping down to a stream then up to a tree on the skyline.
Down the other side through a grass field down to Crossways. From here I followed Brook Hill towards Lurgashall.
At the edge of the village I followed a path around the back of the church coming out on the village green. I stopped here for some lunch on a convenient bench.
I left Lurgashall down Mill Lane, taking the field bypass to reach the driveway to Mill farm.
Down to the large pond at Mill Farm, before following the path through the farm and into the grass field beyond.
Through the field to the edge of the Clay Pidgeon shooting area, then crossing a stream to reach a back road.
Taking the footpath parallel to the road across a stream and climbing into the woods of Outtens Copse.
Back into the fields to cross a shoulder.
Down the southern side and follow a farm track to reach the end of Westland Copse lane.
Into Upperton Common with an initially gentle climb. Now on the Serpents way so more solid underfoot.
The final steep slope up to the boundary of the Petworth Park next to the reservoir tower. then down to the road into the village of Upperton.
Into Petworth Park by the Upperton access gate (I was really lucky here as the NT guardian was just locking it for the annual deer cull, and I only just scraped in).
My initial worry about exiting into the village beside the big house eased when I reached the lake and saw other people walking around.
Down the village exit route via the garages exit, then through the town streets down to the surgery. I did get tempted to stop at the Hungry Guest shop for a small snack that I could eat while waiting for for my time at the surgery. After my appointment I walked back through the town streets to the main car park to wait for my lift home and gazing at the mackerel sky.
