The weather and my companion’s injured back have cancelled Ben Nevis for us this year! I was disappointed but not to be deterred I have started walking the coastline in increments.
September 21st, just after lunch I decided on a whim to walk from Fishbourne (Near Chichester) westward. I didn’t really plan it that well and hadn’t looked at the coastline on the map which is particularly convoluted as it’s an estuary. I decided I needed to get as close to the coast as possible but in many places it was not really accessable being salt marsh. It was a blustery day but dry and actually really good for walking.
Lots of bird life on the estuary including about 30 mute swans, oystercatchers, starlings, curlew and a great black backed gull.
I hardly saw anyone on my trek, just the smell of brine, the sound of sails clanging on the moored yachts and the birds for company. As I headed up towards Bosham I walked on the shoreline and marvelled at the stunted oaks growing with thier toes in what can only be briney water when the tide is in.
Note to self, check he tides before the next walk as although I was lucky this time it’s clear some of the paths become submerged! It’s a tranquil area and all part of Chichester harbour.
As I came around Cobnor point I saw a mixed flock of corvids, crows, jackdaws and the odd rook. I’ve never seen crows flock before so I was astonished.
They also seemed to be flying up about ten feet and hanging in the wind like a kind of game.
I walked a total 14 miles in just under 5 hours to Nutbourne rail station and missed my train by about 5 minutes. You can imagine my frustration. I was kindly rescued by Barney and I’m grateful as I was pretty foot sore by then.
Second note self, plan the route and transport in advance.
I’m used this ap to map my route and I’m finding it really useful; https://gb.mapometer.com/
Not bad for a walk on a whim one afternoon!
The Travelling Bee 