South Downs, Steyning

Back from the alps and normal service resumed. Chores out of the way during the overcast and showery days, and the sun was out (although there was a wicked wind especially in the exposed areas). I planned a route on the South Downs starting at the lay-by on the Shoreham road. Starting up the South Downs Way heading West, before turning down to Sompting. Along the bottom of Cissbury Ring before returning to the South Downs Way. Around the Steyning bowl and down into the village. Through the village and over the A283 and across to the River Adur through the fields. Back to the lay-by along the side of the river.

I parked in the lay-by on the side of Shoreham road (the west side of the road with the barriers as I was in the car). Following the South Downs Way down to the River Adur and over the footbridge.

Staying on the SDW along the back road through Botolphs, before taking a track that wound up the side of the slope above Winding Bottom.

On top of the ridge through the pig fields - there were less than last time I walked through here, and hence the smell was less. Through the pigs and into the fields beyond in the same direction.

Up to the back road, and along it (the SDW has a separate track beside the road). Over the other side I could see across to Cissbury Ring.

Looking back to the SDW going East, before turning down a farm track heading south through the grass fields.

Staying on the track all the way down to Lychpole farm

The track turned around a barn full of horse carriages and along the drive to Beggars Bush. Turning away from the back road and down to the lower edge of Cissbury Ring.

Along the track following this lower edge. All the way to the barn at the end of Canada Bottom.

A kestrel hunting in the field next to the path took my attention as it was so close.

At the barn turning back towards the East looping around to reach Stump bottom and up the track.

Following this track up to No Mans Land and a junction with the Monarch's Way. Along MW back to a complex junction above Steyning Round Hill.

Looking North over the village

On the track around the top of the valley in the woods.

Down through the nature reserve beside the rifle range on a track into the village.

looking back up through the nature reserve, and then a complex set of streets to get into the centre of the village and the path passing Steyning Grammar school. I missed the intended path and circled around the residential streets.

Over the A283 into the fields below Staplefields, then turning across the bottom of the sheep fields below Greenfields.

Along the fields , including part of the old downs link railway route to get onto the back road serving the Sewage works. Down King's Barn Lane to the farm of the same name.

Across the fields tot he River Adur (the bridge here was closed for maintenance so I remained on the West side.

Staying on the side of the river (there is a path on both sides), over the Upper Beeding back road, and still along the river to go under the A283, and still beside it to the bridge I had crossed earlier. 

back up the SDW to the Lay-by and the car, hence back home.