Today’s six mile walk was based on a route described in Fancy Free walks. We started from Crooksbury Hill car park rather than the one in Tilford.
Ten turned up for the walk. Conditions were good—sunny, dry and warm. We set off uphill to the top of Crooksbury Hill and paused to admire the view from here to the South Downs.
Map: OS X 145
Twenty-one turned up for this morning’s five mile walk from Tilford.
Gone are the hot, dry conditions and dusty paths. There were large puddles on the byway near Tilford Common, though the ford (with new bridge) was dry.
Most on the walk set off wearing a fleece or jacket; however, by coffee break they were warm enough to remove them.
From the start by the cricket green we headed north on the Greensand Way to Sheephatch Lane, turned SW to Tilford Road, crossed this to enter the nature reserve, turned south to Tilford Reeds, continued through Tankersford Common to Pierrepont Home Farm (coffee stop), joined a byway and headed NE back to Tilford branching off on a footpath that went past Meadow End Farm.
Map: OS X 145
Eleven turned up for this morning’s 4.7 mile walk. The good weather and the distance might have encouraged more out than on Wednesday.
The route went via Possessionhouse Farm, Elmhurst Farm, The Warren, St Nicolas Church, Itchingfield and the West Sussex Literary Trail.
Map: OS X 134
Four turned up for today’s 9.5 mile walk (others were perhaps put off by the possibility of rain and the distance). We made good progress and arrived back at the car park in Barns Green just before 2.30pm.
The route took us past Little Stammerham Farm, the south side of Christ’s Hospital, Sunnymead Farm, Southwater Country Park, Maripost Wood, Courtlands Farm and Sumners Ponds. It was uneventful apart from one short section of footpath near the end that was very overgrown. Our leader went ahead with his secateurs and bore the brunt of the brambles.
Map: OS X 134
Sixteen turned up for this morning’s five mile walk. Dark clouds looked ominous but no rain fell on us. The heavy rain of the previous two days had not adversely affected paths. Plants at the sides of paths had perked up.
From the top car park we headed south to Rodsall Manor, Gatwick, Broomfields, Britty Wood, The Tarn, General’s Pond, Hillbury, Long Bottom and returned to the car park via Puttenham Common.
Map: OS X 145
There were ten on today’s seven mile walk. We met in Puttenham Common top car park. The surface of the car park had been improved. Holes had been filled in.
Once again it was a hot, sunny day. Paths were dry and sandy and vegetation by them was covered in dust.
From the car park we headed to Cutt Mill House, Gatwick, Peper Harow, Shackleford (picnic lunch stop, the pub had closed), Lydling Farm, Rodsall Manor and then returned to the car park.
Map: OS X 145
This morning’s 5.5 mile walk followed the route of the Four Commons & a Mill walk by Fancy Free Walks. Fourteen turned up for it. The terrain was dry, sandy and dusty. Bracken had started to turn brown. Dead leaves on paths were like conditions in autumn.
Map: OS X 145
Twenty-six arrived for this morning’s five mile walk (almost as many as the total turnout for the four walks yesterday).
We met by the recreation ground and headed south on a byway towards Valewood, turned east on a footpath that took us through the beaver enclosure (surrounded by a sturdy wire fence and managed by the NT), continued to the Sussex Border Path before turning north to Tennyson’s Lane and returning to the start.
Map: OS OL 33, X 133
Turnout was low on our four walks today: 10 miles, 7; 8 miles, 7; 5 miles, 10; 3 miles, 5. Could early morning rain (drizzle) have deterred some?
Rain on the eight mile walk was short-lived. We set off wearing waterproof jackets; after about ten minutes the rain stopped. Dark clouds passed overhead at midday but, if there was rain, it missed us.
The walk started near Ladywell Convent. We walked on footpaths and bridleways past the convent, through Tuesley fruit farm, across the golf course and Buss’s Common, joined the Greensand Way and continued to Hambledon.
The section of footpath after the golf course by the derelict house near Hambledon Field had been restored. Previously it was muddy and overgrown. Walkers had created a detour through the land of the derelict house to avoid it. Now the footpath is wide and has a solid, raised surface. A wooden fence and gate enclose the property.
From Hambledon we continued east on the GSW to the church and then turned north to head back via Hydon Heath and Busbridge Lakes.
Maps: OS X 145, OL 33, X 133
The fifth heatwave had ended but it was still hot and the humidity was high. Grass remained beige, leaves on some rhododendrons had shrivelled, dust covered plants at the side of footpaths.
Nine arrived for the eight mile walk. We met in the car park in Hesworth Common and headed east. The route took us to Fittleworth Common, Stopham (where we stopped by the church for refreshment), Fittleworth Wood, Springs Farm, Warren Barn Copse, Bedham (lunch stop by the ruined church/school), the Serpent Trail, alongside Bognor Common, Little Bognor, Fittleworth House, across the A283 and back to the car park. We made good time and finished at 2pm.
Maps: OS X 121, X 134
Walking Matters