BOC Walk, Loxwood

The day had arrived - this would be my first solo led walk for the Retirees. The recce had gone well, however the forecast for today had changed so many times I was not sure what to believe, however the breakfast forecast showed it OK during the morning with a few showers midday to 1pm then clearing before more showers at 4pm onward.
I was basically going to follow the route of the recce, except if things got really bad we could escape down a number of tracks and shorten the walk.

Pulborough Brooks Stroll

I was looking for a shorter walk that Sue could do to see how her knee was getting on, and pulled an old favourite out of the archives. The idea is park in the library car park just off the A283 in the main street of the village, then follow the trail across to the Brooks visitor centre, wander around to the high point then come back along the opposite side.

We parked in the car park (luckily the annual pass at this one allows for up to 4 hours), and is also next to the Wildart trail to the RSPB Brooks visitors centre.
Out of the car and boots on - I was not sure if it was boots or wellies weather, but stuck with the boots, as the rain had stopped and there were glimpses of sun.

Down the steps to the flood plain, crossing over to the junction of paths. Over the footbridge and following the river Arun on the raised berm.

The path cuts over to the woods at the edge of the RSPB reserve, before climbing up. This was the boggiest part of the walk so far.
The view back to the village as we climbed up the away from the flood plain.

A little bit cheeky - we followed the RSPB trail along to Hanger view, so we could get the better view back to the village.

Back on the footpath up the side of a grass field to the church.

The Wildart trail continued across to the edge of a large pond, before a final small climb to the visitors centre and car park.

Across from the car park were a couple of paths that crossed Wiggonholt common, and we followed one to the view point, before continuing 

At this point we started to follow some toadstool signs, which led to signs on the ground indicating fungi and their properties. This caused us to divert onto the Heathland trail and continue to chase the signs.

There were lots of these signs along the trail as we followed it around the common.

Not sure this was really public access, but we would help out later.

The trail dropped down into Black Wood, before we picked up the public bridleway and followed it back up the hill to the visitors centre.

More of the fungi trail on the way back, and as a treat we popped into the visitors centre and bought a cake and hot chocolate - one way to help their funds rather than paying for a day pass we would not use.

Then to head back - along to the church, then taking the path through the upper fields behind Lickfold.

Down to the flood plain at Banks cottages - really naughty here - someone had knocked the gate latch so it would not open and we had to climb the gate.

The trail here was more overgrown than the other side, but we continued on the edge of the flood plain until we passed the sewage works.
Here I had seen people walking along the berm back to the original path, so we set off.

A couple of points where the fence crossed the berm and we had to drop down to a gate - both of these were flooded and we had to gingerly work through them.
Finally back on our outward track we followed it back up to the car park.

A slightly elongated route - which could be further enhanced if you bought a day ticket into the reserve, and made use of the red route.

Circumnavigation, Billingshurst

Sue was back at Brinsbury after the convalescence time for her cataract operations, but only for a morning, so I chose a route in the series of circumnavigations - this time around Billingshurst, that I could use the college car park as a start point. The route would go up to Billingshurst bypass then along it to the playing pitches. Continuing up to Billy's on Stane street, then turning around to go to Woodhouse, and dropping back south crossing the railway and the A272to get to Kingslea. Still south to the B2133, then back to Brinsbury, via Steepwood and Stall house.

Leaving the car park at the college, through the deserted campus (half term) following the path across the fields to Haybourne, and down the back road.
Continuing down the road to Lee Place house.

Leaving the road onto a grass track with views across to Black down and Hascombe hill.

Into the woods of Lordings rough on grass tracks.

Over the fields to Tanners farm and down its drive to Lordings Lane.

Across the lane and into a grass field and Great Lording Wood.

I wanted to use a path that was new to me around the Sewage works. This path was heavily overgrown and it was only the wire fence around the works that showed where it should go.

Finally out of the brambles and over a grass field to Billingshurst by-pass.
Over the road and onto the path that follows the bypass behind all the new housing estates.

Staying on the by-pass path (including a diversion around a small closure).
Past the first foot bridge and the A272 roundabout to reach the next path across the by-pass.

Into the woods on the far side and selecting one of the many paths around this park area, passing the pond.

Continuing around the playing fields to the far end, before taking the path up to Tedfold - a collection of farm and domestic buildings.

Beyond the buildings the path moved alongside grass fields to reach Leyhold Hanger.

Along the field edges then picking the permissive path down to the back road. Along this to the A29.

Up the side of the major road - luckily there was a small pavement area - past Billy's to the next path leaving it heading East.

The path crossed a field beside a plantation then a small wooded area (with footbridges) to further grass fields.
The grass fields were heavy with dew and I soon had wet feet (once again this year!). 

Across the next grass field to the edge of Dirtydale woods, turning down a trackway through the middle of it.

Across a cow field to the corner (more long wet grass), then a second field where the path was anonymous until it dives into Prior's furze, although marked it is hard to see.

The path through the wood was heavily overgrown with fallen trees across the path in several places.
Finally coming out into yet another grass field.

Along beside the horse paddocks to Woodhouse, and through the farmyard.
across the back road and down a narrow track around Woodhouse.

The path here ran along the fence line beside a number of grass fields, and under some power lines.

At a cross roads of tracks and into some trees in the corner of a field. The path here was very uncertain, and I walked along a fence line until a gate opened up to a bridge under the railway line.

On the far side of the bridge the path weaved along to Fewhurst farm.
Then down its driveway to reach the A272. Here a rough path led in front of some buildings and caravans.

Around the encampment and through the trees of Rosier woods.

Leaving the woods as the path followed the fence line inside grass fields.to the hamlet of Kingslea.
A section along the back road dropped me down to the B2133

Through the gates onto the driveway to Steepwood farm.

At the farm The path diverts around a barn and followed the fence line to join up with the green lane - Steepwood Lane.

Following the lane to the edge of Beeding's copse. I had been here recently and knew the path followed the deer fencing around the woods and down to Stallhouse barn

Along the drive and then down towards the Stall house. The path onwards from here goes aroudn the gardens to the left.
Across a field to the railway line, climbing up and over.
Back down the driveway tot eh A29, and the usual struggle against the traffic to get back to the college entrance.

Through the college to the car park.