Sue had an appointment at the Horder Centre near Crowborough, So I planned a walk around the environs while she was in the hospital. The weather was initially clear and sunny however getting cloudy then some rain predicted for later. I planned a route our the back of the centre dropping down to the Warren then across to the edge of Ashdown forest. Up into 500 Acre wood before crossing to Friar's gate before returning over Bunker's Hill.
We were too early for the appointment so had a wander around the town and stopped for some lunch, then parked up in the centre car park.
I crossed out the back and through the jungle to pick up the bridleway running south along the centre boundary.
At Glenmore I hit the first road block - the track I planned to follow had big "Keep Out" signs, so I adjusted to follow the residential track that would reach the same Bridleway just a bit further east.
Upon reaching the bridleway along the Warren - it was really a back road. I followed this to its end at Home Farm.
Turning down a track beside the farm, slanting down the slope., and into the woods. The track continued past Old Mill Farm where it crossed a collection of streams.
The bridleway continued through the woods, becoming a gravel track as it climbed up Black hill to cross the B2188 next to Deerswood farm.
Into Ashdown forest, and picking up the Wealdway parallel to the B road I had just crossed, with views over the forest.
The track (muddy in places)contoured around the slope angling away from the B road. I did make a mistake here following the major track and had to work through the trees and scrub back to the Bridleway.
Back on the track and following it through 500 Rough, the track dropped slightly.
The 500 Rough gave way to the 500 Acre Wood, and I stayed onthe track to the edge of the wood, where a sharp right turn worked along the edge of the wood.
A large house and garden hidden in the wood, and the path merged onto its driveway. I had planned to continue around the edge of the wood to Friars Gate, but near Fisher's Gate, I selected the wrong track and climbed into the heart of the wood following a forestry track.
The track left the wood at Fagot Stack Corner and into Church Hill area. I turned up beside the B2188 on a track to reach the car park. The final park followed a vague footpath through the trees directly to the car park.
From the car park I could look across to see the clear patch next to the centre where I needed to end up. I crossed over the B2188 and followed a path down the slope. This path ended part way down and I continued through the grass tussocks. I was not sure how to cross over the stream to climb up the other side and the map did not show the reality of paths.
Following tracks going in roughly the right direction I dropped down to the stream. Luckily there was an old stone arch bridge that saved me having to find alternative ways over.
The final section was to climb the far side on sandy tracks to the trees surrounding the centre.
Once at the tree line the track flattened out and followed the centre boundary until I reached a path that climbed back into the car park. I arrived about 5 mins after Sue got out - very good timing!
