Sue was back at Optegra for an appointment - scheduled for a couple of hours, so I went for a stroll out towards the hogs back.
Out the same way as last time - through the research park - to the footpath through the woods.
I cut over to the wheat fields and the path around them - walking clockwise following the traces... all of this not on the map.
Effectively straight over past all the field boundaries. The path was well worn so many people had been this way. I joined up with the bridleway near Blackwell farm and continued towards the hogs back.
Along the driveway from some cottages and up to the major road - A3 along the top. The map showed a crossing, however this was overgrown so I went right to the bis stop and next driveway.
Here it was easier to cross - although the traffic was heavy, and I had to wait around for a gap.
On the far side, I had to walk back to find the path - this went through an old gate and looked down the other side passing some dilapidated buildings.
Down more unmarked tracks to the next boundary - although there was a stile no one had used it in a while and it crossed someone's motocross track. Then it went along a horse paddock with electrified fencing - the path was supposed to be outside it, but I went along the inside edge by mistake and had to climb over at the bottom.
At the bottom I turned onto the North Downs way, and around a house and garden to the next collection of cottages.
Here the path went down a messy side of a house and climbed up to the golf course.
Over a couple of runways and into the tress opposite.
Into Greyfriars farm - now a vineyard, walking beside the rows until disturbed by a machine trimming off the excess growth. It had been thundering for a while, but here the rain came ... just enough to require the brolly.
Up to the A3 again - this time the crossing was easier and more direct, apart form a fallen tree.
The far side was along a very straight path through a tunnel of hedges, up to Wanborough manor. Along here the trees protected me from the rain.
Past the church and down the driveway passing the great barn The brolly was up and down along here as more rain then it passed.
Into the fields crossing towards Flexford.
Upto and along the backroad/ lane/ driveway, until it reached Homestead farm.
Here I left the driveway and followed the path on a torturous way between two houses and gardens into the fields again.
The path crossed the field tot eh woods and was supposed to go in and circle around - however this was very overgrown with bracken and brambles, so I had to make a way though. In the woods bit it was slightly easier and I was able to cross to the top of the woods and re-find the path. I suspect they have rerouted the path along the edge of the field.
In backside common, I tried to find a marked path south of the railway line, however this was also rough and I ended up following the power lines with several detours to get around obstacles. Eventually coming out onto a bridleway - I should have gone across on the other side of the railway!
Here I followed a lane with orange dots on the map only to be stopped by a lady who complained it was "private". I showed her the map but she did not understand. Anyway I got through. Then back across the wheat field to the edge of the research park.
Through the park to find Sue waiting, and then fighting the queues to exit the research park to get home.
