The weather was back to hot, humid days getting hotter until thunderstorms at the weekend, so I determined to get our before it got too hot.
I planned a route along the South Downs way, starting at Cocking Hill Car park, heading west up the hill to the first junction, dropping down the Lipchis way, and back through the oil well woods to the A286. Following the bridleway along the west dean woods, then back road and Phillis Wood to Hooksway. From her back up to the South Downs Way and along it back to the car park.
I parked in the car park just south of the point the SDW crossed the A286. There were a number of car already there - the dog walkers and several overnighters. From here I crossed over and up the farm driveway to Hill barn.
Onwards up hill beside Manorfarm Down to the path junction near the Tumulus.
Turning down the side of Charlton Forest, then into Singleton Forest.
At Burnoak gate I turned sharply to follow the southern edge of Singleton forest past the oil well. Through the wood to the western end.
Down to the A286, and up the hidden path on the far side. This path parallels the road up to Wolverstone farm.
Opposite the farm I turned onto a bridleway and over the dismantled railway. A scrubby path led off the track and into the woods of Hacking copse.
Through the woods to Hoefield Lane - a track - not the forest road.
The old lane led down through Westdean woods past a woodsman camp and out near Colworth barn.
Along the edge of the woods beside felled trees to the back road at a junction.
Along the road until the path rises up Stapleash Down, and over the top in wheat or barley fields
Onto the back road at Staple Ash farm, and followed it around passing Yewtree Cottage, until leaving it at the driveway to Brooms Farm. The track followed a scrub covered field boundary.
Across a final field and a stubble field into Phillis Wood.
Along hte bridleway through these woods joining up with Philliswood Lane - still a green lane track.
Along the lane to the Royal Oak pub at Hooksway. My path went through the pub car park continuing along the field behind.
Out of the woods below Buriton Hanger, turning north to the ridge on the skyline.
Along the farm track passing Buriton farm
back on the SDW, as it dropped down to the dip before climbing up (diagonally) into the woods on Philliswood Down.
Around to the Devil's Jumps - and a pause for refreshments and a small bite to eat - the humidity was making everything soaked with sweat.
Now with out navigation issues along SDW heading East.
Around Didling Hill - A chinook came over and hovered in the distance.
Along to the Lynch Ball (off to one side)
The chinook came back and hovered over the Lynch Ball. There was a figure in the hatchway looking down. Eventually it moved on.
The long descent down Cocking Down, past another chalk ball.
The final section down past The dairy farm, and ignoring the café (although I did stop to soak my head under the water tap). Back to the car park and lunch.
