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squiz Member Member#: 6644 Location: Registered: 27-05-2007 Diary Entries: 3071 |
30th April 2017 Mt. Biking: Chichester Ship Canal Wind Direction: Wind Stength: Surf / Sea State: Air Temperature: Sea Temperature: Weather: windy, cloudy then rain :( Max Speed: Distance Covered: Sunday 30th April – Bike ***** Chichester Ship Canal – windy, cloudy then rain :( Second good night in our quiet carpark at Church Norton waking to cloud and strong winds but we are sheltered here. A car with RLNI volunteers set up a drinks station next door for a sponsored walk/run and the birders started to arrive so we wanted to move on before being trapped here! Our plan was to look for a shop then head to Bosham as Rob said it was nice there but as usual we got distracted along the way when Mag spotted a canal. We always love a canal and always find it difficult to drive past. We got a mile past the canal but after having seen a couple of cyclists on the tow path the temptation was too great so we turned around to look for the start. We found it and followed it along a Private road to the impressive Chichester Marina, parking at the visitor’s carpark to take the bikes off. Setting off at 10.30 and not sure which route to take, we headed to the marina first past loads of houseboats in the canal. The many fingered Chichester harbour is very like our tidal rivers in Suffolk, very pretty despite the strong winds and cloudy sky! The marina was full of some impressive yachts and as the sign said you could have a month’s mooring here for only £425(!) The marina entrance was controlled by a sea lock like at Shotley and we thought we couldn’t go any farther that way but that was because the lock was opening to let a big rib out full of excited kids:) We watched the rib head seaward then spoke to a nice young mother who told us we could bike to Chichester along this arm of the channel then return along the canal. So, as the lock closed we headed over and onto another pretty bluebell wood. The bike path missed most of the wood so we ignored the no biking sign and took the lovely footpath instead, really near the water, to Dell Quay. The walkers we met on the way didn’t mind sharing their footpath with us and were very smiley. Nearing the quay, we walked the last couple of hundred metres along a shingle beach with many yachts high and dry in the mud as the tide came in. We passed a magnificent house being built on the water’s edge with stunning views - you can only guess what that was worth – millions! Biking onto the Quay it offered good views up and down the channel, to the right there were lots of boats in the mud and a couple of newly thatched buildings worth a look. We were greeted by another no biking sign and as the path was narrow and ran along a sea wall we left the bikes to look at the thatched cottage which was also being renovated. I got some nice pics of the boats in the mud surrounded in thick green seaweed before heading out of Dell on the road to re-join the Salterns Way Cycle Route which took us nearly all the way to Chichester on a path away from the road:) Nearing Chichester, we got in a muddle by the busy road but found the bike route again and were soon at the large Cathedral and busy town centre. It was a pedestrian area so we explored on foot pushing the bikes past loads of old building, as in Godalming many stationary shops with some top buskers, a great guitarist and a four piece with trumpets, double bass and keyboards really going for it:) We were told by yet another friendly local that the canal started by the railway station so headed that way. The people down here have been mostly a breath of fresh air being so nice. Needing a loo, we found one by a huge car boot sale so much to Mag’s dismay joined the crowds with a quick walk through but didn’t buy anything. Over the railway line we soon found the canal basin surrounded by some nice flats with a two-storey Information Centre/Café run by canal volunteers. Seeing a sign for cream teas we decided to treat ourselves with a big mug of hot drink to warm us up as it was decidedly chilly and some delicious cake which we ate on the upstairs balcony overlooking the basin:) Mag even managed to buy a couple of second-hand books being sold to support the canal before starting off along the towpath. On the corner of the basin where the canal started a nice couple of new age youngsters were taking pictures of some Coot babies so we stopped to join in. There were several lovely metal butterfly sculptures lining the banks and a renovated swing bridge. We were soon heading away from Chichester leaving the tall church tower behind. The first section was particularly pretty being tree lined and it was here we came across a tour boat returning to the basin followed by a large family rowing. The navigation ended about half way along the canal at Hunston where the canal became overgrown but lovely non-the less. Then the canal was blocked by a road at which point a swan had built its huge nest. Luckily, we were nearly back at the van as it had started to rain so we packed up quickly and drove into Chichester to find a shop. Mary Simpson would have been impressed as we found a Waitrose and had fun spending £30 on essentials and lots of treats:) Then it was a short drive to Bosham Harbour looking for somewhere to park for the night but arrived at high water and many of the roads were flooded making it very picturesque but meaning overnight options were limited. We tried The Hoe watching two canoeists set off in the rain but with nowhere to park we headed back to Church Norton and our favourite spot with the sheep on the castle mound. Another small camper turned up!! Delicious rotisserie chicken for tea while the rain rattled on the roof. Arranged to pick my new board up tomorrow in Emsworth which is another whole story in itself! Not the easiest transaction! Dan texted and we learned that my 86-year-old Dad had rung to say he is off to Las Vegas tomorrow leaving the key with a neighbour and if the plane goes down we can help ourselves!!!! – that made us laugh. Contact with both our boys – happy days:) Photo Gallery Here |
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