AAC Walk, Billingshurst to Pulborough

The next AAC walk has come around - this time It was a walk from Billingshurst station down to Pulborough station, crossing to the Wey & Arun canal, down to Pallingham manor then across to the Mens reserve. Down to Stopham, with a pause at the White hart then around to the railway station. I had chosen to leave our car down at Pulborough and catch the train first thing (after stopping at the local shop for bread and pastries). I was early as usual and waited for the others to arrive. The forecast was for it to be hot, even excessively hot, and several people had dropped out before we started.

Starting out from the station and down the back lane opposite out past the school playing fields. Around the roads and through a residential close to reach the bypass. Up the steps and over the road then an overgrown path down to the sewage works. Taking one of the many paths through Great Lordings Wood and a zigzag to Lordings Lane (B2133).

A section along the lane around the bad corners until reaching the path down Brockhurst Brook to the associated lake below Streele Farm.
Around the river Arun and up the bank above the flood plain to reach the crop fields leading down to the canal.

A pause to look at Lording's lock and the water lift, before continuing down the canal, past the flood barrier. Along the towpath to the swing bridge at Haybarn, where the tow path ends and we had to follow the Wey South path around the farm and down a farm track.
Across the canal again to head across the fields to go around Pallingham manor. Across the driveway beside two cottages and into the fields beyond. These led into a small wooded area between fields and eventually to the back road (Bedham Lane).
Along the lane until we could take the path through the beech woods to Arundel Holt. In these woods we paused for a picnic lunch and refreshments.
Then up to the woods of the Mens nature reserve and around to Bedham.

From Bedham we picked up the Serpents way (alternative route) and droped dwon this past Warren Barn. The path through the field above the barn diverts from the map and follows a separate footpath and needs to jag back to get on track.
Through Lithersgate Common (where a short shower came over - we could hear it on the tree leaves above, but the drops barely reached us and with the heat we were dry very quickly.
Now in Stopham estate we dropped down to Limbourne farm then along to the hamlet church.

From the church we followed the back road down to the A283, then along the pavement to the ancient bridge diversion. Only a footpath goes over this bridge - the road has a newer one.
Into The White Hart pub for some well earned drinks, and a sit-down.

After drinks we continued under the road bridge and up the slope of Park Mound to the houses at the top, then past the pillbox and down to the outskirts of Pulborough.

Along Coombelands lane and over the railway, before following the RSPB path down to the station. The London contingent rushed for a train just arriving, whilst those going to Billingshurst got tickets (they missed this train and had to wait for the next).
I walked back to our car o the Stopham road and hence home.
It was hot, but survivable and we took time on the walk.