A Christmas Trail (around Isfield)

The logistics on paper appeared to work out for us. The usual 6 suspects would meet at the Laughing Fish at 10am, then walk a pre-planned route (courtesy of an Argos walk published in July 2012), then back to the pub for a Christmas meal after what looked like an achievable 5¼ mile walk in just over 2 hours. Without our usual refreshment break, it seemed the perfect days activity.
What we hadn't bargained for was the the underfoot conditions and the lack of signposting which had us disorientated soon after we'd departed the pub and reaching the first stile.

Looking around and reading the directions we didn't pick out any of the described landmarks. Some instinctive treading along worn walkways in the field led us to one gate and then eventually another stile. It wasn't looking good as we failed to maintain good purchase on the slippery muddy fields.
Heading towards a farm which we thought would lead us out onto the main road was in our sights after crossing fields that had been cordoned off with temporary electric fences that had been organised to allow horses to have their right to roam over our rights.

"Can I help you?"... a lady came from the barn walked towards us. Her manner was pleasant however she informed us that the way along the drive to the road wasn't a 'right of way' and that the owner of the land would be none to pleased about us walking through this route. She advised us of the alternative route, which meant re-tracing our slippery steps in the same few fields.
The toil of walking on this surface was beginning to tell on us and realised there might be difficulty in keeping on track. 

Time was precious and our chances of continuing on the same route to walk across the National Golf course was fading fast. We consulted the OS map and decided on an alternative route that would take us further north yet still encounter the Lavender Line, which was part of the original route.
We found our way across some more fields and eventually out onto the A26 where the convenience of a footpath was a pleasant relief to walk on.

We soon turned off onto a lane with the golf course on our right and Wharton Wood on our left. It wasn't long before we were treading across another field where we'd eventually discover the welcome sight of the Railway line which ran between Isfield and a halt affectionately referred to as Dingly Dell (on the OS map).

But although the railway line was in sight, the challenge to find the crossing point left us concerned about the lack of signposting, but we eventually found it and stopped to observe 3 roe deer attempting to find a way out from the confines of the railway line.

The final phase of the walk would take us through treacherous conditions and that the addition of snorkels in our equipment might have been a good idea. We were about to walk alongside the banks of the Rivere Uck which was swelling and flowing fast.

"This way looks better" every man to his own route seemed to be the optional strategy. Puddles of muddy water were ankle deep and creeping into our boots!!
Horses looked on with bemused wonderment as we made our way through barricaded gateways. Someone was making it difficult for us, even though the green dotted lines on the OS map and the few footpath signs gave us clues that we were on a legitimate route.

Another 10 minutes and we had reached Elms Farm and walked through despite signs that suggested we may have been trespassing.

The Isfield sign welcomed us back into the village and the sight of the pub came into view. It was coming up to midday and after 3.5 miles we had disrobed in the car park and ready to take up our places at the reserved table to consume a tasty Christmas meal....

We spent the afternoon around the table reflecting on the year's walking and all agreed the amazing walks we'd achieved although also considered that the last couple of hours wouldn't necessarily feature as one of the highlighted walks. We will now be taking a couple weeks off and plan some more interesting and maybe adventurous walks for 2015.