We have visitors this week, and so I was limited to what could be achieved, however they had other plans for today, so I took the opportunity to complete a section of the Sussex Ouse Valley Way. The idea was to drive over to Scaynes Hill, and park at the end of the common area, then walk over to Sheffield Park on the SOVW, then down to Newick, and on to a point I had reached on a previous visit near Isfield. Then back over to Chailey, and north across the commons, before returning to Scaynes Hill.
I parked int he car park, after a tedious drive over. I was able to squeeze in near the entrance as all the slots were taken up by doggie day care. After locking and checking the van was not blocking anyone in, I set off along the Sussex Ouse Valley Walk (SOVW) out of the back of the car park which followed a house driveway until it branched off into the fields behind.
Across the fields to Viewlands farm.
Across more fields to the pub at Freshfield Bridges.
Over the back road and into Hammer wood, and out into a camping field.
Over the field and into Wapsbourne Wood, with a sharp righthand turn in the middle
Then out into a second camping field around Wapsbourne farm. Around the buildings and down the farm drive
A shortcut over the fields to the entrance to the 360 brewery, and onto the A275 just below the Sheffield park station on the Bluebell railway line.
Opposite the station and into the field on an overgrown path. this was a huge camping area (the third so far). This was also the point where the SOVW actually touched the river for the first time today.
Along the side of the river in the extended camping fields, this ended where the path followed into a rougher area which bordered on Sheffield park estate - I believe this is open to the public.
Along a gravel track through the Rotherfield wood, and onto a back road. I went along this back road and into Newick. Over the A272 past the bakery (closed for some reason) and down the back road between all the pubs (three in close proximity)
Down this back road to Founthill, and up a narrow lane that climbed up to a corner
Leaving the road to cross fields (the first one had a digger making a huge hole), then down a farm track to Double Barns farm. Then along a hedge beside a grass field.
A zigzag in fields before going over a back road and along a ploughed field. then a compass bearing over it (they had ploughed all sign of the path away!)
After the field the path went around the farm and out past an intriguing old barn and tower.
Along the farm track and a sharp turn into grass fields.
The path through the fields following the river, and just after a weir a canal lock.
The canal used to follow the river Ouse as a navigation. Some bits had been renovated.
After the canal lock the path followed the river and up onto a farm track. Along this to a path junction at the point where I recognised I had been before. I took the path I had not used before leaving the SOVW.
Up the side of a field, to reach a farm track between cow fields - all empty.
At the end of the track into the yard of Beaks farm - lots of byers but still no cows - I suspect the farm was closing down. Down the farm drive to the back road and on to Longford Bridge. Then up the drive way to The Butletts
Around the buildings and across the grass fields. They all looked over to the big house at Newick Park.
Continuing over the grasslands, along a new panelled fence, and down to a pond. They were working on the fence over the bridge, but allowed me through.
Over a back road (via a zigzag to the big house drive) and along to Tutts farm. Over the field behind and across and ancient byway.
The fields behind the farm led down to the disused part of the Bluebell line. Over an old railway bridge
The other side picked up a farm track that followed around a field which contained two camels.
Around the corner and into a field full of alpacas.
Through more fields and into a playing field
Over a back lane and through fields to the outskirts of Chailey.
Across the green in front of the church and down a driveway behind it.
The drive curved away from the path as it went through a wood and out beside a pond.
Then up beside a sheep field and through several crop fields - I followed a tractor path away from the edge as it was easier.
Field followed field until it turned down beside a wood and changed character to a narrow path.
A field that looked boggy but was actually very dry led up to some buildings before going into Pound Common.
Pound common merged into Memorial common, on the other side of Beggar's wood road.
Next into Chailey common - this was completely different to the map, so I zigzagged across it to the A272.
Over the busy road and down the driveway to the windmill, and around its fenceline.
The windmill and manor houses were behind dense foliage so I did not see much, before heading across Red House Common.
More off-piste paths through the common and across a field to Great Noven Farm.
Beyond the farm and through the grass fields to the edge of Great Wood, where they were doing forestry work.
Along a farm track to join the Sussex border path - which followed a tarmacked track.
Along the road to Scaynes Hill village, and down church road towards the car park.
Finally across the common area to the car park, and lunch.
