chapter 5 ; what direction does frodo intend to head when they first leave crickhollow?

It it is agreed that the group will avoid the main road so as to elude the Black Riders. But this forces them to sojourn in the Old Forest - a rather unpalatable option. Fatty Bolger remains at Crickhollow to keep up appearances; he will also brief Gandalf on what has transpired whenever Gandalf arrives.