South Downs Way, Chanctonbury Ring

It was forecast for the rain to hold off today, and maybe some sunny periods, so I excused myself from packing and cleaning duties and ran off to the South Downs. The idea was to go around a circuit of the Chanctonbury and Cissbury that I had done in several variations over the years. Due to the packing I was reliant on electronic devices for navigation, and it helped to have knowledge of the area.

I parked in the Wiston estate car park, just outside Washington - this is quite complex to get to but those that know how to do make it popular.
Then up the gravel track leading to Chanctonbury ring, before taking the more direct footpath through the chalk quarries.

Through the various bumps and troughs f the quarries into the sheep field above.

Now fully in the mist/ cloud with limited visibility. I knew to stay on the track, passing the tree copse on the top. A brief moment to say hello to the witches and on into the mist.

Continuing along the South downs way along the top of the downs ridge. The wind up here was quite biting, and I kept moving to stay warm - hands in pockets.

Past the memorial to a notable family, still on he SDW.
Near New Hill Barn the path goes parallel to a back road.

Following the road down to a field entrance (the field is used by model aircraft flying) and on towards the hill in front.

Below the hill I turned right to head for Cissbury ring - the faint shape ahead. Now on farm tracks. This was more sheltered from the wind.

Across the back road and onto the farm drive that leads past the farm and on to the ring car park.
I had hoped to go along the base of the hill and up the far side, however the path went through a very boggy field and waterlogged track so I cut my losses and headed for the main path.

Up the path through the boundary ditches and up onto the upper rampart.

Along the rampart to the main entrance on the east side, with views back where I had come from.

Continuing around the ramparts to the southern entrance, and views down towards the sea.

Back around to the northern side and the path back down to the car park.

Back on the farm tracks - although these were in a worse state than the ones I had walked so far, with lots of puddles and muddy traces.

Leaving the farm tracks to continue north through the farm buildings and horse fields.

Across to the driveway. Over this and continuing on improved farm tracks climbing back up to the downs ridge.
The wind returned as I climbed up, but the ascent kept everything warm.

The track improved even further as I reached the SDW and followed it back to the car park.

Wakehurst Gardens Stroll

We are deep into a house move and so my walking as been severely curtailed. as such getting out for more than a stroll has been fraught with other priorities. This coupled with the incessant rain has made a large gap in my walking schedules.
However, an opportunity to spend the afternoon in Wakehurst at the Kew gardens second site and location for the millennium seed bank was too good an opportunity to miss.

Sue and I set off to meet a friend in the car park at Wakehurst gardens (close to the village of Ardingly). As members of the National Trust, we were excused the entrance fee, but had to pay the extortionate parking charge.
After the registration formalities we set off for a wander around the outer track of the gardens.

This led down to the older houses, and around the bowl of the lake at the upper level.

the far east corner of the grounds led down to the stream that eventually reached the Ardingly reservoir, which w could see glinting in the distance.

Down to the lake and around it.

Then along the bottom trail that climbed steadily (rather than the steeper descent we had come down), before a sting in the tail for the final section.
then a simple path back to the main reception area for a tea in the café.

 

North Downs, Silent Pool

The rain of the last two days had now stopped and after a frosty night it was time to go for a walk. I thought that the sandy soils of the North down and Greensand ridge would be a good bet for dryer paths. So I worked a route out Starting at Silent pool, up onto the downs then across to Merrow downs by-passing Newlands corner to St Martha's hill. Down to the tilling Bourne and across above Albury to Abinger Hammer. back up the north downs and returning to Silent Pool.

Several things conspired this morning, first the road down past Albury Park was closed for an accident, then Silent Pool now has a parking charge... I thought I would need over 4 hours to get around, but as this was prohibitive I had to settle for up to 4 hours (I would have to adjust the route to ensure I came back in this time. As it turned out other factors would adjust the route.

From Silent pool car park I climbed up the direct path to the ridge line - I attacked this "with gusto" as they say so that I could clear the remnants of the flu out of my lungs - a consequence of last weeks ski trip!

Over the top of the ridge and down the gentler side passing New Scotland farm to the old version. Then along the north side of Clandon Down.

Angling away from the bridle path through the woods to the drive for Wellhouse farm.

Along the drive and down to Shere road (A25) at the separate carriageway section. I crossed over past some traveller caravans and into the woods opposite. I used a path where the fence had been dropped to join up with the one on the map.

Through the woods of Merrow Downs following a wiggly path - over Trodds lane and across to meet the trackway from Newlands Corner. Then over tot eh edge fo the north downs ridge to look over.

The view down the slope south form the edge of the ridge...  all the fog in the low pockets.

Angling down the slope to White Lane farm, and along the path beside the back road. Up the track beside Keepers cottage to join the Pilgrim's way.

Along the very sandy major track to St Martha's church sitting on top of the hill of the same name.

Looking down from the church to the valley below.

Down the track into the mist below, before coming out the other side beside Chilworth vineyard.

Along the track above the vineyard, curving down to Lockner farm. Over the A248 and up the lane opposite to the railway line.

Leaving the lane to cross the fields heading for Postford farm cottages. 

The last cottage had a cloud of steam rising from its fence, just before I turned up a path beside it. This climbed into Blackheath forest.

Through the forest following whatever tracks went my way - the mist was creating a great view.

Eventually reaching the track through Broomfields, and down to Brook farm.

Along the back road and under the railway bridge to Little London. At this point I was feeling the after effects of the flu and getting weary so quickly charted a new course back towards silent pool.
This curved around through Albury Heath and up to park road.

Over the road and down the wide track past exquisite old oaks basking in the sunlight. Down to The stream (Tilling Bourne) at Chantry Bridge.

Rather than use this crossing I elected to continue towards Shire and use the ford at Rectory Lane (just because I had never been across that one before!)

Across a back road and into the fields leading to Silver Wood, along the boundary of Albury Park.

Through the edge of the woods and down towards the church on Albury Street (there is a second church inside Albury Park)

Passing the church and up Albury Street to cross the A25 back to Silent pool car park. Lungs feeling much better for the blow, but legs feeling tired.