Nice Weather for Ducks
Light rain turned out to be a bit heavier and persistent than I had dressed for and my route to Chichester was curtailed at East Wittering. This was no bad thing and the gloom followed by mocking sunshine lent atmospherics to a special kind of place. The isolation of some parts of my walk, allowed me to moan out loud at the sigh-worthy downpour and my sodden feet. On the positive side and despite the hardship, the birds were very special and this is one to save for a crisper and brighter day. Winter is as good a season as any. It's also very flat and I wasn't so very far from completing a route back up to the canal. I'll be back to make the route better.
Bognor Regis is reached by train via Brighton and Barnham. The same return ticket was accepted to get back from Chichester (I don't know why, I just forgot to get an additional ticket), with the 53 bus getting me there from East Wittering.
Head straight down Canada Grove from the station. I headed up the wrong street initially and that's why I ended up joining Argylle Road further down. At the prom, turn right on the cycle route 2 and the England Coast Path or play on the beach as you see fit. You'll continue beyond the outfalls. Walking on the shingle is quite a good workout for the ankles but the sand was exposed and I went right down. Just stick with the Aldwick Bay beach as far as Pagham. I took a little unnecessary detour inland on Channel View and back via The Causeway and The Parade, which gave my legs a rest. You should probably continue to opposite Beach Road to join Well Road going west.
The idea was to get to the north side of Pagham Lagoon but the footpath led into the bushes and a flooded path. I was forced to join Lagoon Road and turn right on the south side of the water. Follow the path at the edge. I thought maybe I could cross it at the end with the bridge but it was underwater. Rejoin the coast path if necessary. I overshot a little to see the shags and the oyster catchers and then backtracked to take the path around the harbour. It was too wet to follow the entire bank side on the footpath but slipped my way on the Coast Path. There are a couple of gates through to the wild harbourside from which I watched a breathtaking murmuration of lapwings. Later, I checked my recorded footage and found a 10 second clip of the inside of my pocket. Lucky for me I used my own eyes for memories.
Follow the signs away from the water onto Church Lane and turn left. You will reach The Salthouse. I sheltered with some twitchers here until their mate unlocked the building. Then follow the North Wall Trail. Some ladies had been slipping on the path in front of me. I'd lost them when I took a look at the birds but now they were coming back in the other direction. There way to Horner Farm was flooded and I wondered whether I'd be able to continue. Turns out my way west was still clear. At Halsey's Farm turn left onto the road that leads to Mill Lane. I said hi to the postman. The Crab and Lobster is at Sidlesham Quay. The sun broke out and I was beginning to dry. At the far side, you follow the Selsey tram path. This looks like a route for the future and then look for the sign to the visitor's centre. Sadly the centre was shut due to a lack of staff.
Go through the car park and join the Medmerry Cycle Link over the Chichester Road. My way to Oakhurst Farm looked very wet so I continued. Big sighs as I realised the rain was setting in. There is an upper walkers path and a lower track and I switched between the two to find the drier. As the boring path curves west, leave the cycle route and rejoin the coast path on the north side of the Medmerry Reserve. Save for the sound of sea birds, there was little to look up for in the reserve that surrounds the Easton Rife. This would have been a different story in the sun. Much of the interior is wild and inaccessible and there were diefinitely hunting birds. More sighing and I recalled another particular wet day in my sodden yoga pants at Goodwood. Despite the gloom, I had the impression someone was shining a torch at my back.
I resolved to make it to East Wittering. As I approached the sea front and the conspicuous periwinkle sculpture, the sun blasted out between the brows of grey. It was dry for the first time in an hour. I watched the waves at high tide and then followed the waterside to Bracklesham. I took myself away from the sea to East Bracklesham Drive and then crossed the car park at Billy's. I would have stopped for lunch if I hadn't been wet through. Instead, I returned to the main road and took the footpath through to Legion Way and the Stocks Lane bus stop.
Patches of blue in the sky now but not quite bright enough to persuade me to continue. The breeze was chilling. No ice-cream.
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