Storm Bram was creating havoc to the west but here it was just raining, with no real wind like last week. Sue was off to Brinsbury, so I chose to get out early and hope things dried up later in the day. I was staying local so the walk could be amended if the rain got worse or else there was too much standing water. The idea was to follow the local forestry commission woods towards Chidingfold then back via Dunsfold and the canal.
Along the road to Lee house farm following the Sussex Border path. There I followed the edge of the farm and the edge of the wood.
The track curved around and crossed a flooded stream - luckily there was a point where I could leap over.
The path led through the woods called Ireland, and up to Burningfold manor stud, before going down the driveway and over Plaistow road.
Into Lagfold copse following a wide forestry road
Out of Lagfold copse and down to Highstreet Green on a track between fields.
Over a back road and into Brooklands copse
Through the woods dropping down to a stream, where I could either walk up the side of a field with water streaming down, or wallow through the harvested woodland. I chose the latter which was muddy but the water was navigable.
Through the fields leading to Prestwick manor farm. Here it was very wet and the path flooded, my socks were now soaked.
The path followed the edge of the field rather than straight across which did make it a little more manageable.
From the farm, I walked down Vann lane until a path that cut the corner to White Beech.
This path was more like a river - my socks and boots were definitely now wet through. The path climbed up then down the far side to white beech lane.
The rain had slackened and was now just occasional flurries.
Next into Pignuts copse, along a fairly wide path, but this soon narrowed as it dropped down the hillside to a river. The path was crisscrossed with fallen trees and was more of an obstacle course.
Down by the river the path was flooded, and only dried out where it climbed up to Mill Hanger.
From these buildings I followed the drive.
The drive connected with a tarmacked road (private) that I followed to Loxley Bridge.
I set off on the wrong way down Chiddingfold road, before turning around and along to Wrotham Hill.
Just outside Dunsfold I turned down chapel hill on to Knighton's lane.
Down the lane past Knightons to the end of the road at Sydney Wood.
By now the rain had eased up completely and I could take my jacket off.
I turned down beside the big house and followed the path into the woods. This was the alternative to the Wey-South path, and came out onto the driveway to Sydney farm.
From Sydney farm, I followed the path out to the Wey-South path near Gennets Wood.
Then down the canal tow path to the adder field, before cutting back to the village and down the Drive to home.
Over a back road and into Brooklands copse
The path followed the edge of the field rather than straight across which did make it a little more manageable.
This path was more like a river - my socks and boots were definitely now wet through. The path climbed up then down the far side to white beech lane.
The rain had slackened and was now just occasional flurries.
From these buildings I followed the drive.
I set off on the wrong way down Chiddingfold road, before turning around and along to Wrotham Hill.
Down the lane past Knightons to the end of the road at Sydney Wood.
By now the rain had eased up completely and I could take my jacket off.
Then down the canal tow path to the adder field, before cutting back to the village and down the Drive to home.