The spring bunting is out in Lymington and the pretty cobbled streets lead me down to the quay.
There is a small pond next to the harbour and laid-back parents seem happy for their inquisitive ducklings to swim next to me.
I spend a couple of hours following the winding sea wall perimeter of the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve, a collection of marshes that are home to a wide variety of noisy birds.
My iPhone struggles to capture it, but I see a new bird, which I later identify as an avocet. My resident expert, Duncan, explains that the bird is on the RSPB logo in recognition of the success of breeding it back in the UK. The coastal marshes of East Anglia were flooded in 1947 to defend the country against potential invasion. This created the perfect breeding ground for avocets, and they returned after an absence of more than 100 years.
The nature reserve ends at the spit leading out to Hurst castle. Unfortunately it is closed so I skip the three mile round-trip shingle walk. It is already going to be a long day. The incoming tide washes across the coastal road, although several camper vans are still ploughing through the water.
A short climb reveals the soft sand and clay cliffs, ravaged by the sea.
The walk is wonderfully varied. The path turns inland and then meanders back down to the beach through the attractive, wooded Chewton Bunny, used by smugglers in the 18th century.
I finally reach Mudeford Quay and the ferry crossing. It is getting late, and there are dark rain clouds overhead, with thunder over the sea, so I walk briskly to Christchurch Railway Station.
Christchurch surprises me with splashes of colour, despite the hour and the weather, so I change plans and linger for a while to explore the historic centre. After all, I am not going anywhere this evening, so why pass up the opportunity?
The train journey back to Lymington requires a change at Brockenhurst. On the deserted platform, a dishevelled chap offers me the large box of cider cans under his arm for £8. Perhaps he recognises a kindred spirit? I am definitely in need of a hair-cut. I eventually make it back to the Viano and drive back to Christchurch to park on Hengistbury Head for the night.
Walk distance: 18 miles.
Total distance: 343 miles.
With all your Viano overnights Tony I’ll guess you’ll enjoy Nomadland (which I look forward to when the dvd comes out- Frances McDormand is a brilliant actress!).
I have been looking forward to that film for a very long time, since I watched the trailer. I love Frances McDormand. Hayley has a Disney Plus subscription so I am planning on watching it tonight. I think it deserves the big screen though so I may watch it again when we are allowed back in cinemas. Not long!
The small pond is salterns 8 acre lake .the starting place of many famous sailors. With its 2 small islands.
Hi Ian. Actually I was referring to the tiny pond in the Bath Road Recreation Ground. The Eight Acre Pond is a lot more impressive!