I had been meaning to do the circumnavigation of Thorney island since finding
out that there was a permissible path around the MoD land when looking at the
Sussex Border path, which terminates (or starts) with this circular
punctuation mark. We set off early and there was space in the small car park
at Prinstead harbour (really just a small beach)
The footpath started directly from the car park, around the nearby bend and onto
the Marina around the corner.
A pair of narrow footbridges crossed the marina entrances, which Bertie was not
happy with, before the path continued on the shore edge
Approaching Prinstead point and a better bridge for Bertie (less enclosed). By
now we were used to the coast path - a hard packed trail riding on a berm
protected from the waves by a concrete ramp.
Looking out across Pinstead channel over to Chidham Peninsular
Once across the Great Deep we passed through the MoD fence with a simple press
on the intercom.
Around Stanbury point and views over to the airfield buildings one way and over
to the Witterings over the channel.
Approaching the village of West Thorney, and its Jetty out to local boats
Around the head passing the yacht club building (with crowds of people preparing
to go out on the water). Then onwards down the coast path.
The runway and perimeter road for the airfield
Looking out from Longmere Point to the Witterings over Pilsey Island.
The sand dunes around the end of the island, passing Pilsey Island spur, and a
sandy beach (the only real one on the walk)
A slight diversion onto the short sandy beach, which was covered with shells.
Back on the coast path, passing an access point from the perimeter track around
the runways, which some locals were parked up.
After we left the "crowds" we found a small concrete jetty, and some debris to
stop on for a refreshment break.
Back on the coast path as it passed the other end of the runways and turned to
approach Marker Point.
A view down to the channel between the Witterings and Hayling Island. Around the
point and a classic shingle beach with shrubbery.
The view from Marker Point and across to Hayling Island.
Back on the coast path and around a pair of inlets as we approached the the turn
around towards Emsworth.
Around the point in the middle of the inlets looking to the marina at
Emsworth
Around the second inlet looking towards Wicknor point
From the point looking over towards the end of Hayling island where it bent
around to the causeway.
At Wickor point we reached the end of the MoD area and had to pass through the
gate once again
Beyond the gate and over the Great Deep
The coast path now followed the water on a raised levee or causeway, in a
straight direction to the marina at the end of the channel.
At the end of the causeway was a strange holiday camp ... portacabins on
stilts arranged in a park as cottages. Our path ran around the outside of the
camp as they restricted a direct route across it.
Beyond the camp we crossed a pasture field and the MoD camp access road, before
disappearing down a path beside the waterworks. Beyond the works the sides of
the path opened to Oat fields.
We surprised this deer walking down the path the other way, so had to wait for it to go back the other way and dissappear.
The deer went through the gate by the farm house and we followed after a while, then picked up the lane that led back to the car park and the van.
Back at the car park we stepped up to the platform looking over the inlet to have a refreshment break, before jumping back into the van and returning home.
