This is about the
fourth time we've done this superb walk and so far it hasn't failed to satisfy.
As soon as you reach the river Arun near Guildenhurst Manor and start walking
along the old, overgrown
Wey &
Arun Canal, the noise from the A272 starts to recede to be replaced by the
songs of Cuckoo, Nightingale and Yellowhammer. You suddenly find yourself in
large, flood-plain meadows that are full of flowers, birds and insects and today
we were immediately struck by the number of Mayflies that were emerging
everywhere. After stopping a while we found that we were also surrounded by many
species of butterfly, grasshoppers, damselflies, spiders and beetles. Maybe not
everyone's idea of bliss but for bug lovers like us it was a little patch of
paradise. Someone who agreed with us was a Hobby, who's insect hunting was
rudely interrupted by an attack from a Carrion Crow.
Everything except the insects seemed to be taking it easy today: we saw; a Red
Fox staking out a rabbit hole, before its cunning game was given away by a
meddlesome magpie; a Roe Deer that was just chilling out in an empty paddock;
Buzzards and a single Sparrowhawk soaring lazily above us in the very hot sun and
we even came across a sleepy Grass Snake sunning itself on the towpath.
The route follows the footpath west from Billingshurst station, out through the
houses at Parbrook and across the A29.
At the next road turn right, walk up to the Limeburners pub and then continue on
the footpath west to Guildenhurst Manor.
From there the route follows the
The Wey South Path all the way to Pulborough.
The wildlife started right on the main road.
But soon you're into large, quiet meadows. Quiet that is except for millions of
insects and hundreds of birds.
Mayflies were hatching in the meadows and thousands were doing their 'up & down'
dance.
Very art nouveau too.
Broad-bodied Chaser. These chunky insects are so territorial they'll even shoo a
hiker along!
Grass Snake (Natrix
natrix) basking in the sun just after Lording's Lock.
This fox was staking out a warren before an angry Magpie sent him packing.
A Roe Deer relaxing in someone's paddock.
Looking up to Toat Monument, which was erected by Samuel Drinkwater in 1827 and
looks over some beautiful Sussex countryside.