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.

I walked down to the Onslow with Sue, following the standard route - along the road and across Headfoldswood farm. She left me there and walked home along the canal and I waited for everyone else to come along. We had been 16 for the walk but five had dropped out for various reasons, so 11 started off.
Following the canal past Devil's Hole lock, and Southland Lock to reach Gennets bridge and lock.
From here continuing along the canal trace through Bonfire hanger to High Bridge. Along here we had the first rain shower - not much, but enough to get the waterproof on. Into the bottom half of Sydney wood on the forestry commission track to the old lock house, where we re-joined the canal into the northern half of Sydney wood.

From end of this section beside Firtree copse nature reserve and took the track across Sedghurst wood to reach the Byway at Sachel hill Lane.
Down the lane and over Rosemary lane into the fields to reach the lane to Gennets bridge. Along here the rain came down with vengeance and we all got a little damp
Along this lane passing Oakhurst farm and into Alfold Bars to reach the Sir Roger Tichbourne ready for lunch and to dry off slightly.

Having eaten too much we set off up the lane opposite (the Sussex border path) to Songhurst farm and into the Loxwood clay pits woods. The rain had paused now and there was even a few bits of blue sky.
Along the edge of the woods to the main path from the car park, then down it to reach Loxwood road.

Over the road and into Jenkin's wood, following the path to the farm track - here taking the shortcut along it to the path from Baldwin's knob.
Down to the canal at Brewhurst lane, before turning along it to return to the canal centre car park.

After saying goodbye to everyone I then had to walk home along the canal and throguh the adder field. The rain was coming back as I walked along, but held off until I was home safely.