Chidham Ramble – March 9th 2019
Some forty odd members and one dog gathered in the car park of The Bosham Inn for the last Ramble of the winter series which was to be round the perimeter of the Chidham peninsular. After the preceding weeks worth of inclement weather the day dawned bright and clear with a brisk breeze blowing from the Southwest.
At 1000hrs prompt the walkers set off firstly along the road for a short distance in order to join the coastal path at it’s eastern extremity and thereafter along the top of the floodbank adjacent to the foreshore. After a short while many paused to take advantage of the perspective that was presented by the historic Bosham Church on the opposite side of the creek and after the photographs it was then on along the coastal path towards Cobnor Point with short detours past some highly desirable dwellings on Harbour Way and round the back of the Cobnor Activity Centre. Coming out onto Cobnor Point itself it became apparent just how windy it was and how tiring it became walking against the wind but relief was in sight in the shape of a bird watching hide on the foreshore thankfully devoid of twitchers where the party stopped for a rest and refreshments. Then it was off along the shingle foreshore for a short distance until the path rose onto an elevated grassy floodbank which ran along almost the entire length of the western side of the peninsular with far reaching views over the estuary, surrounding countryside with the backdrop of the South Downs rising to the North.
Leaving this path and cutting through Chidham village brought the party back onto the main road for the final leg back to The Bosham Inn arriving just before 1300hrs and where lunch was being prepared. Those with sophisticated instruments on their wrists estimated the total distance covered was just over 7 miles a fitting end to this year’s rambles!
– by Robert King