Marmite on Toast

BURGESS HILL, BATCHELORS FARM, DITCHLING COMMON LOOP

Needed to be back by 11ish so a quick loop was plumped for. After shredding my heels on the last walk, I selected a pair of walking socks and protected my still slightly raw feet with hydrocolloid plasters. I'm now an expert on dressings. Saturday last, I had to Google and send the youngest to the pharmacist to fetch me first aid in order to leave the house. C and M the dog were in tow. I was wearing still too many layers. My mind is thinking it's Autumn but the sun and heat are proving otherwise.

This walk can be approached from the station or London Road bus stop, for example. Once Batchelors Farm Nature Reserve has been reached you can pause on the railway bridge for waving at trains before heading towards the iconic Burgess Hill water tower. M is bothered by the sounds of construction in the adjacent field and had a minor freak out, turning to go home. Luckily he was persuaded by his ball and lead to walk with us. We'd only just left home, after all.

In the southeast corner of the field, you can take the path over Ockley Lane and on to Wellhouse Lane. The game to play here is "Which house do you want?" After this, you continue until you reach Common Lane. Head north and enter the field on the other side of the road. The path will take you over the railway line that heads to Lewes. Continue to Folders Lane East, cross the road and you'll be on The Common Proper.

Having been tethered, I took pity on M and released him for sniffs. He promptly rolled in something horrible. We took a pit-stop at the the Industrial Estate Hogg House Café and sat outside in the sun, not least because M smelt slightly offensive. C wanted cake but it's not that kind of café. We had two mugs of tea and marmite on toast shortly before the entire estate descended on the place. It's cheap and it's good. I thoroughly approve of the vitamin B12 but I could have eaten all manner of gut-busting breakfasts if I'd earnt it.

Swinging west before the end of the drive, the path opens up from the cover of trees and on to the Common. You can walk around here, see the pond, have a picnic or, as we did, head roughly north on numerous paths until they hit the junction with the B2112 in the northwest.

Cross the road and head west. You can cross yet more common land with a pond or, for swiftness, as we did, follow the road that borders it, reducing to a path on the western side. At the junction, head southwest between the houses until you cross the Kings Way. The path crosses back over the railway line. Shortly afterwards, you could head into town via Ferndale and Silverdale Road or continue on One O' Clock Lane. Following this path you cross a trickling ditch, pass the playground and exit onto Birchwood Grove Lane.

At the roundabout, head south on Keymer Road, cross and you're back on the trusty Green Circle. When you hit the railway line, you can head north to the station or south to be back at Batchelors.