Byworth Long Walk on 29th March 2024

The overnight high winds and rain made for some trepidation on Good Friday morning as we met up in The Welldiggers Arms car park in Byworth clambering into an assortment of wet weather gear. The 9:00 am start of our 9 mile long walk took us up Kingspit Lane up to Flexham Park where we joined the Serpent Trail which formed the majority of our route. By the time we were half way across the Park, in between detours to avoid the mud and lakes on the path, a modicum of disrobing accompanied the rain stopping. By the time we reached Bognor Common we were entertained with a stripper’s jumper twirl as more garments came off as the sun came out and the temperature increased. We turned left up through Mitfords Copse, crossed a field of radish, into the woods again, turned south onto Bedham Lane, then left again into Fittleworth Woods. The Serpent Trail took us south to Churchwood where we stopped for coffee, some nibbles and photos around the capped off well. We encountered the muddiest part of the walk on the footpath down to Fittleworth for a quick dogleg on the pavements before turning west and up onto Hesworth Common where we left the Serpent Trail. At the vantage point on Hesworth Common we stopped for some minor first aid and photos which allowed us walk towards Hesworth Farm and increasing photo opportunities as the sunshine dispersed the clouds to allow the blue sky to lighten our spirits. The footpaths took us west until Highhoes Copse where we headed north through the copse and over the fields onto the main A road. A short distance later we turned right onto the country lane, through Byworth and then taking the footpath at Hallgate Farm which took us back to The Welldiggers Arms. The pub had a roaring trade on the Good Friday allowing us to enjoy a relaxed and extended lunch that we enjoyed immensely as a reward for our 4 ¼ hours hard work.