I’m feeling guilty for not posting a photo of stumpy Bognor Regis Pier last week. The vibrant blue sky is deceptive. It’s 7.30 am and rather chilly. A hot coffee would be great but there is nothing open.
The shingle beach runs for a mile until a house blocks the shore with an imposing sea wall. Forced inland, the nearest route to track the coast is through the Aldwick Bay Estate. Laurel and Hardy lived here but there’s no humour, just an unwelcoming notice: “private, residents and guests only, no access to beach, exit gates all locked”. It’s a lovely stroll along the main boulevard, flanked by gorgeous gardens and houses. I confidently greet joggers and walkers but suspect my backpack and gear give me away as a transient. No one calls security. Of course, there is an unlocked gate to allow me back to the beach.
Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve occupies the morning. The impressive sand and shingle spit at the harbour mouth pulls me off the path.
The water is crystal clear.
The nature reserve is teeming with birds: black-headed gulls, curlews, little egrets, possibly a pair of great crested grebes, and another kestrel. My binoculars create a false knowledgeable appearance, as a dog walker asks about the kestrel.
I bluff: “It has a unique hovering style and is likely hunting for voles”. It’s best to move on before I’m rumbled.
Attractive Sidlesham Quay lies at the halfway point around the reserve. The Crab and Lobster would make a great lunch stop. Only another week until the pubs re-open!
I return to the beach at Church Norton and walk round Selsey Bill. I’m making good time and decide to push on to West Wittering, which is when things start to go wrong.
The plan is to follow the embankment track round the Medmerry Nature Reserve, although the OS map wants to take me on a wider circuit. I soon discover why, reaching a gate with a notice: “Conservation area: Staff and wildlife only beyond this point.” Never doubt the OS map! Backtracking to a minor road, I am forced on a second detour along the road despite trying to find a path marked across a field.
The road eventually leads me back to the embankment track, which winds to the shore. The gorse is stunning and in full bloom.
I leave the beach at West Wittering, with the Isle of Wight on the horizon. It’s late and I’m tired, faced with a long journey home. This is the limit for a one-day trip. I need to switch to walking for two consecutive days and test out sleeping in the back of the stripped-out Viano next week. That should be an interesting experiment.
Walk distance: 19 miles.
Total distance: 274 miles.
That’s a good distance to walk in a single day! I hate it when private property interrupts a beach walk, and we’ll done for finding a way through.
Yes, it is a shame that there are so many restrictions. I dare say someone will confront me one day. I will feign surprise and politely ask how to get to the beach. After all, I will not be passing that way again.
Good set of photos again Tony – and an impressive 19 miles
Thanks Peter. I would not want to do that distance on consecutive days without a hot bath to recover!
Great photos again Tony.
Bed & Breakfast (once they reopen) would be a comfier option.
Those bones aren’t getting any younger!
Hi Judith! I suspect I will mix it up and a lot will depend on what my back thinks about the old Viano. My ultralight tent arrives in a few weeks (no sniggering) so all options are at my disposal. A comfy B&B will always be on the schedule at some point but getting one on the popular coastal paths over the Summer will be impossible now. So needs must.
I was lucky, when I walked this bit of the coast Medmerry didn’t exist and you could simply walk on the beach from Selsey to West Wittering, no need to head inland. West Wittering is another great beach, one of the few sandy beaches on the south coast.
Very interesting. I found this short video on the construction project: https://youtu.be/8bh3JV0ovMo
Looking forward to seeing the white sandy beach at East Head next week.
Lovely photos Tony. I concur with your philosophy about the sillier restrictions in where you can walk. Just apologising and sympathising with them, if accosted, normally brings them round though. Most of the time you’re never even questioned.
Yes, I don’t see what harm walking through does. I did avoid a yard once that had several guard dogs on long chains!