Sussex Border Path, Chiddingfold

A dull day with drizzle in air and a strong wind, the forecast was for this to intensify in the afternoon,  so I planned a local walk. The idea was to follow the general direction of the border path looping in a figure of eight.
I left home early and set off along the back road to Plaistow - I deliberately kept out of the fields (as I would use for the normal bread run)so I could keep away from wet grass that would soak my boots. In Plaistow I continued on the road past Nell Ball, where I had a short discussion with myself about whether to continue on the road or drop down the path to Birchfield copse and join up later with the border path.
I followed the road around and down the Shillinglee junction until the edge of Ashpark Wood. From previous walks I knew a path led from here into the open access woodland. I had a thought to walk around the edge (there was a path on the map) however the woodland would have a say in this and the paths were over grown. I did explore some options through the under growth and got turned around a couple of times before I settled onto a track I had used before.

Looking at the GPS track I had meandered quite a bit and followed several blind tracks. However once on the known route things cleared up.

Following a path through the woods to join up with the border path by the path from Durfold Wood.
I left the border path at the edge of Downlands wood and followed a path that cut up through Fisherlane wood. This path ended at the back of a row of houses, and I had to span out to find where a new path had been cut to escape onto the back road.

Along the back road to Little Tugley, before going down the driveway to Downlands.
Turning off into a field behind the houses to a large house and garden. The path went across the front and past a small pond.

Over the fence and across a couple of gallops before reaching a grass field. This was all part of a racehorse training area with numerous traces.

Here the path climbed up into Surrey Copse on an overgrown path angled across the slope.
At a house I turned right onto a wider path that continued through the wood dropping down to a back road.

Over the road and into a grass field (by now my feet were soaked and socks swimming.
Over the field and onto a path along the edge of Griggs Bottom, before turning deeper into it.

The path came out into another grass field climbing over a shoulder. Then down a farm track dropping over the far side.

Turning away before reaching Gostrode farm along the edge of Sparkes copse.
The path became wider towards the end of the wood.

Coming out into the top of a partially maintained golf course. Following the contour of the land, then dropping down to a stream.

Up the other side climbing to more deserted golf course. 
Down beside a driving practice range (with plantations of golf balls) this bit seems to be in use - but not today.

part way down the range the path crossed a hedge onto a farm track, that I followed to the golf course entrance drive and hence to the A283.
Along this major road to the edge of Chiddingfold where a path left along the end of a row of house gardens.

Into the fields (probably used to be part of the golf course)

Around Highbeech plantation and down to the stream crossing between ponds

Up the other side and across Hazelbridge hanger.

Along beside Pickhurst with its stylish garden shed.
Down its drive to a back road and along the T junction to a path going to Follies farm.
This path went through a garden onto the farm driveway.

Through the farm and along a driveway to a new build mansion beside an older property. The path followed a wide path along the edge of the once formal gardens.

Through Peartree Piece into the plantation of Tugley Wood.
Here following the forestry track as it angled throguh the woods to the back road beside Durfold Hatch Cottage.

Opposite the house was a barrier and the remains of a track into Durfold wood. After my earlier exploits int eh trees I went down it in the general direction until it cleared up and became more walkable.
Into the more used parts of Durfold wood and following the main track across it and back to the Sussex Border Path.

Back on the border path, I followed it to the hamlet of Durfold wood, and hence to the back road (Dunsfold Road). Over this (still on the border path) and across a large grass field to reach Upper Ifold Wood.
I followed the major track - this veers off the border path and back onto it later - despite the more recent "private" signs, since this was the usual route.

Into Hog Wood, and onto the forestry track leaving the border path which veered off to Lee house farm.
The forestry track re-joined the border path on the Lee house driveway and down it to the junction with the Lane.
I followed this back into Ifold and hence aroudn the usual circuit to reach home.