The current heatwave has broken and we got up to a rain shower. I thought it would be good to go for a walk in the lower temperatures, and if it rained it would only be a warm shower. I planned a route over Ashdown forest, starting at Goat car park near Wych Cross, going south and around Chelwood gate and back into the forest. across the open area to Wych Cross junction. From here along to the forest centre working around the golf course and along the edge of Forest Row. Heading West following the edge of the forest and back to the car park.
I parked in the car park next to a line of dog walker cars, and set off south and down a driveway.
The driveway ended at Smockfarthing, and changed to a farm lane, and then a path beside a field, down to a foot bridge.
Up the other side and onto a back road opposite Suttons farm. A short footpath led to a large track.
This almost by-way continued aroudn Twyford lodge. This ended at a back road, with a water splash.
Leaving the back road and into the woods on a tree lined path.
The path came out into a collection of houses. There was a small path leading to a junction of back roads. Over this and down a driveway to a barn.
The path now moved into the Birch Grove estate, through some woods and down to a stream. On the other side it opened put a bit more.
More landscaped fields and into woods up to A275. A zigzag down this on a small verge.
The estate continued on the far side of the major road down beside fields to a sunken track
Into Buttock bank wood following a stream to meet Box's lane.
Along the back roads past the pub, following a curve up past more houses, and down a driveway. The path kind of ended here and I had to follow a diversion around the house at the end.
Down the right hand side of the house and over a stream into the field beyond. Across the field toa path that I followed back left
At the next junction turning back to the house from the far side. In the woods there was no obvious route (although there were lots of tracks), to follow the bridleway that was on the map.
Finding one that went in the approximate direction I followed it through Chelwood common. the woods ended into grassy fields.
Then a driveway leading back to the roads, along this into the village. Here a small path down between gardens.
The path became more open with palisade fences. The path ended at a back road, with a driveway opposite (and it seems it is also used as a car park).
Into the woods of Braberry hatch following a forestry track, around some lakes and over a stream.
Climbing up into teh more open forest area on a large sandy track. This was a very straight track.
Reaching the higher ground gave views around, then the ferns closed in.
Just before reaching the A24 I turned off the big track onto a smaller one that paralleled the major road. Around the reservoir and out of the forest beside a car park.
Along the to the Wych Cross junction, then along the back road on a small verge that sometimes disappeared into the ferns beside the road.
Finally at the forest centre I could leave the road and made into the forest again. This time making my own route following unmarked footpaths.
Occasional glimpses down towards the golf course, then it would disappear as the path moved into the trees.
Across the more open land (and low ferns not blocking what turned out to be cow tracks)
I followed a track beside fence posts but this turned down the slope and I had to loop aroudn and climb back up as I realised it would end up on the golf course.
Back up I found a way across to the major track that was named as the Vanguard Way.
Down the Vanguard way to the edge of the golf course.
Following the track aroudn the edge of the golf course.
Still on the perimeter track of the golf course.
I was not sure whether to continue down into Forest row village of go to the club house. In the end I chose the later, but the paths were not very well marked and I had to avoid golfers on every section.
Down past the club house and Along the driveway to the edge of the village. here taking a byway
Followign the byway to a point where it was closed.
Here I went back to the edge of the golf course and around the closed section, before breaking through the trees to get back to the by-way.
Along the by-way to the A275/A22. After a short section along the busy road I crossed and down a driveway back into the forest.
The path dropped down to cross a stream and up the far side on a forest track.
I followed this forest track until I realised that the bridleway I through I was on did not exist anymore and I cut through the trees and fern to the back road on a compass bearing. Over the back road and down another driveway.
The path was supposed to go past the house, but there was a popup garage across the track blocking it. So I had to free range through the trees to pick up the bridleway on the far side.
Having picked up the bridleway again and followed it to a complex junction and a small path that went int the right direction (more changes!)
Around Lavender Platt and onto its driveway, which I followed to almost the back road, before turning down a path parallel to the road.
Breaking off this path to follow a very likely looking side path that went directly to the car park.
back in the car park it was which was now empty apart from a campervan (same mark as ours), I could finally strip off the wet top (sweat) and soaked socks (from the wet ground).
The rain had come in showers all through the day, but I had a rain jacket and an umbrella, however my trousers and boots got soaked by the wet shrubbery around. It was not cold, and very bearable.
