Day 8 - Monday September 6th

Today started with breakfast with Tim and Margie and Tim had offered to take me to Bosham as the ferry there from West Itchenor only starts at 9.00a.m I eventually set off from Bosham at 8.50a.m. I had a problem finding the start of the path from the village - when I found it, it was nearly impassible as the tide was in and I had to crawl on hands and feet along a concrete plinth for 20 feet but then it was passable. The route took me around Bosham channel to Chidham and up around the peninsular to Southbourne. At another point before Southbourne the sea made the path impassible and I had to climb over a fence into a field and then at the end climb into a deep ditch about 6 feet deep and then climb out and down to the path again! I then crossed the ishmus of Thorney Island arriving in Emsworth for lunch. After lunch I continued until I arrived at the point where one can go to Hayling Island. I enquired about ferry times and was told every 15 minutes until 10.00p.m. BUT they will not sail if the weather is bad - at which point due to strong winds blowing gale force 5 or 6 it was easy to decide to press on around Langstone Harbour, Farlington Marshes and then turn southward alongside Langstone harbour past Portsea Island and eventually to the seafront at Southsea. Past Portsea the weather changed, the wind dropped and the rain started. It continues torrentially. I was picked up from South Parade Pier at about 6.45p.m. and taken out for a meal which was very nice. [I was hungry by this time].

Tomorrow, God willing I will press on to Southampton and that will feel like "nearly home" but the Isle of Wight beckons!

Distance walked 19 miles