Given the tidal surge here the drop was large down to the sea level as the
tide was a long way out
The floating houses on the canal in contrast to the marina and services just
next door.
As we crossed the marina lock there was an opportunity to see it all at work,
with a motor launch and two ribs leaving for the great outside
After all the excitement of the boats leaving, the route now picked up a track
heading through a small wood and out into farm land. The steeple of Chichester
cathedral rising over the hedge lines.
Beyond New Barn farm the track followed the farm drive, past an area
(Appledram) that held a portable aerodrome from WW2, now just fields, before
picking up the road down to Dell Quay with all the uncontrolled parking on the
sides.
Down at Dell Quay and beside the boat yard where the route would now follow
the shore line up the Fishbourne Channel.
From the boatyard we stopped on a bench beside a wood looking out over the
estuary for a short snack.
After the stop we continued on the path just above the high water
mark
As the path bent around there were views back to Dell Quay, as well as over
the hedges to the spire on the cathedral.
The path cut up over the end of the estuary which was the old Roman era
harbour.
Finally, just outside Fishbourne, Bertie could drop into some water ... the
estuary was just too muddy to contemplate. The crystal clear water was a real
surprise, and reminiscent of the streams around Salisbury.
The track turned around the end of the channel and started down the Western
side.
This side of the estuary started off in a huge reed bed, stretching off into
the distance.
The track pulled a short way from the shore line before a 90 deg turn inland
just after a small wood of stunted Oak trees.
Cutting across the Bosham peninsular from East to West was in an almost
straight line through fields starting with salad crops , then harvested grains
before field beans.
Approaching Bosham the track cut between houses bounded by high wooden fences,
before coming out opposite the harbour.
We followed the road around the end of the inlet and sat down for lunch on the
sea wall looking over at the church
The road continued following the high water mark to a hamlet called the
Saltings - presumably where they dried salt out of seawater, but now just
expensive house estates.
Th track left the road after Saltings, and continued around the peninsular,
looking over to the other side where we had walked earlier in the year
Rounding the end of the peninsular we started to see the quays at Itchenor,
and with the low tide a long path out to a jetty in the channel.
As luck would have it, the ferry boat arrived just as we reached the end of
the path at the low tide jetty.
We joined the queue and just walked on.
Then, with Bertie a little concerned as he was below the gunnel we turned
around and set out across the channel.
An extra surprise was to drop a local off at the yacht club before cutting back to the pier, and then a long walk up the jetty
Back on land and up the high street before turning down to the car park. about 700m on the crossing the total trip was just under 17km... time for a short rest and drink before heading home.
