Sue had a meeting at Brinsbury College and I went along for a lift. I had planned to walk back home, going across the farm towards the Toat monument, around Pallingham, and up to Bedham. The through the Mens and crossing the A272 up to Kirdford. Finally along one of the much followed trails back to Ifold. There had been some drizzle first thing in the morning, which had cooled the atmosphere slightly, and the sky was cloudy, although humid.
After leaving Sue, I walked through the college and down the farm lane behind it.
I left the farm lane and the footpath that went around the edge of the farm lands following the stream
Part way along the path moves to the other side of the hedge at a gate, before recrossing back.
This came out into horse paddocks with a path between leading up to a farm track beside a wood.
In the woods I disturbed a deer, but it only ran a little way, before stopping to look at me.
I followed the famr track to the stabels at teh end, and realised that this was not a path and needed to retrace my steps to the point I had seen the deer and cross into the field to the right of the track that led past the college farm and out to a back road.
Along the drive to Toatwood farm before turning along a path around the edge of a field containing the Toat memorial tower.
The path traverse around the base of this mound to Parson's Field Where I turned down the back road to Pickhurst. Continuing along Toat lane to circumvent the tower and up to Thorn Common.
At the common following the path down to Pallingham Bridge.
Over the canal at its final trace before it merged into the river Arun. Then over the river and up to Pallingham Quay Farm.
Around the farm and the wheat field behind following the edge of the woods. At the top of the curve the path went into the woods.
Up past a lonely cottage and climbing up besides woods.
Across and aroudn the edge of a grass field to Springs farm. Then down its drive to the back road.
The continuation of the path on the other side of the road was overgrown with brambles, and I had to force my way through before it opened out to the crop field beyond. This was the reverse of last Saturday's route.
Down to Bedham, before climbing again to enter into the Mens - a nature reserve of ancient woodland. Past a ruined church.
Down to the lane where we had lost the track on Saturday, and on into Hammonds wood, leaving the last route to continue through the Mens.
Joining a metaled road at Hawhurst court (passing a duck pond) and up to the big house.
Past the big house and its memorials.
Continuing on through the Mens and over a stream.
On to a driveway, turning down it to Bulchins farm. Over the A272 and around a house to a path following the edge of Croucham's Copse.
This led to a back road that I followed - I was aiming for a path through Brownings Copse, however there was a large "closed" sign at the start due to overhead power cable work.
I continued on the back road as it zigzagged up to Kirdford, but not as interesting. Arriving there past teh Half Moon.
A pause for some lunch in the bus stop as it had a bench to sit on. then I followed on of the usual routes backup to Ifold. Up past Boxalland farm, around to Hollands Heath Farm, through Wephurst Furze. This gave me a vision on the fields below Wephurst Park which was covered in blue flowers.
Past the Wephurst Park drive way and along the Bridlepath to Orchard Cottage, along to Ormond house where the path has got very overgrown. Finally down the drive to the village.
