The cold weather has passed and we are now in a period of warmer weather, although overcast. The ground was still soaked from the rain earlier in the year, so I devised a walk that followed the south coast path, some of which I had covered last year, and some a missing piece.
I would start at the top of Hayling Island (as the parking is free) and walk along the coast path to Emsworth, then through the town to the railway station. Ride the train to Portsmouth Harbour, then along the jubilee trail and the coast path around Southsea to the Hayling ferry at Eastney. Ride the ferry onto Hayling island, then follow the Shipwright's way and the track of the Billy line back up to the car park.
I set off across the car park and aroudn the seaward side of the pub, and past the houses to the second access point beside the Royal Oak pub and a wooden windmill/ lighthouse structure (private residence).
Around Langston Mill pond and onto a raised terrace path. At Wade court park the path moves onto the beach and along the shingle aroudn the curve.
The path then dives inland (presumably to avoid private land) and heads for Warblington Cemetery. Beyond which the path heads towards Emsworth.
The path (Solent way) along here goes through a couple of fields to the edge of Nore barn woods.
Along the side of the woods, and the path comes out at the edge of Emsworth town.
Along the cost line on a raised path, passing the sailing club until forced inland around Slipper Mill pond.to Emsworth Quay.
I thought about walking from there and down through the residential streets to the coast path, however the next train was only 6 mins away and I chose to wait.
This train arrived at Portsmouth Harbour, and I walked out of the north side opposite the Historic dockyard and HMS Warrior - behind which is one of the large aircraft carriers.
I had to walk around the edge of Gunwharf keys to pick up the millennium trail as it passed the ferry port tot he Isle of Wight.
Down to Camber key, opposite the multi-storey boat park. Then up onto the sea wall beside St James tower.
Along the upper levels past battery wall and the long curtain battery. The kings battery and the long spur redoubt. Beyond is the garish modern day chaos of a entertainment arcade.
Past the arcade there is remedial work on shoring up the promenade, so it is all barriered off, with the exception of around the naval war memorial.
Access was restored to the shore edge once at the D-Day memorial, and its restored landing craft.
Behind the memorial is Southsea castle, now more of a battery or Martello tower like structure.
After the castle the path follows the promenade towards South sea.
Past the pier - South Parade pier, and on to further promenade, now beside Eastney.
Past the statue of "The Yomper", and eventually the promenade finishes at Southsea caravan park. However the walk can be continued along the edge of the beach up to Fort Cumberland and the Nudist beach (predominately unused this time of the year).
I explored along the shingle below fort Cumberland, and a stretch of concrete walkway, hoping to get out beside the sailing club.
However it all ended in a barrier that I could not get past. So back along the walkway to the nudist beach access path.
The path crossed the open space behind the fort and crossed to Ferry road. Along this now past the boat yard & Marina.
The ferry road ended after the RNLI station and university research centre. Eventually getting to the pier and the ferry boat. I had 10 minutes until the crossing - which was good timing.
I sat on the ferry and had a bit of lunch and coffee - there was very little swell or movement on the boat. Once it started moving I could see all around Langstone harbour.
On the other side (Hayling Island) the boat pulls in beside the Ferryboat Inn. then along the jetty and onto the island.
From the west end of Hayl;ing Island, I then followed the Shipwrights Way around the seaward side of the golf course (a little inland from the edge as the path had less pebbles!)
At the end of the golf course the path moved onto the scrubby area (marked as pitch & putt on the map) and the area behind a car park. This gave access to a residential road through West Town, that would lead to the Billy line path.
The Billy line (and still the Shipwright's way) started behind an industrial park (and a small free car park - without barrier). Initially this is bounded by high hedges until it merges onto the coast edge.
I stayed on the path as it meandered ion and out of the small coves up the edge of the island.
The path reached the car park behind the petrol station at Stoke Common (alternative site for today), where the ongoing path was closed for maintenance. Luckily I did not have to walk up the main road, but could divert through West Hayling nature Reserve - following a multitude of cycle tracks
This diversion continued around the coast rather than taking a short cut across a promontory. However it also gave views of the original crossing for the railway - now just a series of pillars between two piers.
Back on the main track - it was now all tarmacked - I turned sharply to the top car park where the original railway went across the harbour. The car park was full with afternoon walkers, but I continued to meet up with the A3023 as it met Langstone bridge.
over the bridge (footpaths on both sides) and back to the car park on the northern side up against the pub. A large circular trail enabled by public transport (even if the trains were delayed slightly).
