The wind had returned overnight along with some rain showers, however by 9am the rain had stopped and the wind had become gusty. I had chosen to catch a lift with Sue as she was on her way to see Barbara at Wellcross grange. The aim was to follow the first return route I had followed from Wellcross to home - this dropped down to the downs link then across the golf course, continuing to the Blue Ship, down to Gibbons Mill and the normal route home from there. Sue dropped me at the Tesco car park, and I set off down the lane beside the car park into the new estate, and then over the new bypass.
Down old Wickhurst lane passing Broadbridge Farm to pick up the bridleway and farm driveway down to the Downs Link.
Once on the Downs link, I followed it under the A264, through Slinfold and under the A29 all on even gradients from the old railway.
Along the lane leading to the Slinfold golf club, then down the side of the course and into the woods at the end. Down a muddy set of steps to a bridge over the stream and up similar on the far side.
Out of the woods onto a path beside a fenced off grass field past Tittlesfold farm.
A zigzag onto the next door field and up to the houses on the side of Haven road. Over this and into Heathers Copse
Taking an opportunity to follow a new path I followed serpentine path leading up to Marshall's farm. Then along Ship road to the Blue Ship Inn.
Down Marles Lane before continuing into Smerrick's Copse. Avoiding the canter track and cutting back into a grass field and up to the back road. Along this to the drive way to Gibbons Mill farm and the mill of the same name.
From the mill, now on tracks I had covered many times before. Up a very muddy track to Newhouse farm, across to Drungewick hill farm, then over Baldwin's Knob to the canal bridge at Brewhurst farm. From here along the canal to the centre at Loxwood and on past Devil's Hole lock and the path into Ifold past Loxwoodhills Pond.
