I did actually sleep and probably more than I thought. The only thing to molested me was a molusc judging by the snail trail on my sleeping bag, Im just glad it didn’t get on my face!
I wasnt cold, I was probably too warm and could have taken lighter sleeping bag or removed my clothes of course!
I woke feeling stiff and hungry! The morning was grey and humid but, no storms, hoorah! The Needles on the Isle of Wight that were visible yesterday were cloaked. As my tent was dry I was able to pack up straight away, have a cereal bar and the last of my water before marching to Barton-on-sea in search of a cafe.
I had picked a fairly lonely spot to camp and it was quite a challnge to get back up the cliff to get onto the walk, ending up with dirty knees.
After big breakfast at Barton and a cicuitous route around a caravan park I decended into Chewton Bunny nature reserve. I’ve met this term ‘Bunny’ before at Hamble where it meant culvert, here it means ravine, with a stream running through it. According to the notice board it was a place that smugglers used in days gone by. It was dark and heavily wooded heading down towards the sea, in some ways it reminded me of New Zealand.
Next was my favourite part of todays walk and its a shame I didn’t need to camp at that time because I spied quite a few places on the cliffs below Highcliffe. It was surprisingly wild despite being next to suburbia. lots of pines, Holm oak and blackberries, the latter I used to supplement my diet and about the only healthy thing I’ve eaten today!
I wandered up and admired Highcliffe Castle and then onwards through Steamer point nature reserve towards Mudeford. I came down to the beach and stopped for tea and cake!
I took the little ferry across the entrance to Christchurch Harbour and started across Hengistbury Head. Which is beach hut heaven and a one time a trading port. Some believe that Hengistbury Head was possibly the first urban settlement in England. It was obviously deserted at some point or just washed away! Now it’s a nature reserve.
This was hard work walking as it was loose sand and by now there was quite a breeze blowing. The sea was choppy here and the sky threatening.
I was starting to think about where to sleep as I was getting towards Southbourne.
So three options, camp, couchsurf or hotel? I had tried Campspace (campspace.com) but, the host hadn’t replied. I posted on Couchsurf to two hosts and then waited to see if either responded.
I kept going but now it was definitely too suburban for camping wild. I don’t yet look like a vagrant, people are still happy to spend the time of day with me (anyone who has read Ray Winn’s Salt Path will understand that remark). Anyway I wouldn’t feel safe.
I wandered to Boscome and suddenly felt very tired and cold. One foot has a hot spot and my little toes are painful.
It was four in the afternoon and none of the hosts had responded (I probably had left it a bit late). I had already tried a campsite on the north of Boscombe but they don’t take tents so I checked into a cheap hotel, or at least my room is cheap!
This Hotel must think I’m Harry Potter, the rooms a cupboad with no windows and the smallest bath, I’ve ever seen. But its warm, dry and clean. I have just had the hottest bath I could bear! ( even though my knees were up to my chin). Im so pleased to be clean and in clean clothes.
No wonder I suddenly became cold and tired suddenly, I’ve walked 14 miles!
Now for food and bed! Night Night All.
The Travelling Bee 