THE BOSHAM CHALLENGE WALK - 18 MILES

The Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a
favourite haunt of mine, along with Hayling Island and Thorney Island. On my last three visits I have been thwarted by either bad weather or lack of time to walk and explore the Chichester Ship Canal, a canal that was missing off my completed walk list: So on my next visit on August Bank Holiday, I planned to go there early the next day to do it in fineweather: the forecast the following day was not good:

As usual | was not content with a short walk - less than to miles - so I decided to join together my favourite places of Bosham and Chichester and include Fishbourne, which I had never visited and ofcourse the Ship Canal. I was up early in the dark and arrived in Bosham at 6.30am. Parking the car, the boots were soon on and with a light rucksack setoff along the road and fields to Fishbourne. The Roman Palace was not open as it was only 7.30am but I noticed they opened at 10am; that would be perfect for tomorrow! Joining the cycle path I pressed on into Chichester, admired the cathedral and and stunning cross and headed down te the canal basin. Apart from a few joggers I had the canal to myself. Coots and moorhens clucked away CriEs overhead the noise of the seagulls broke up the peaceful haven; not that I minded. One of the joys of walking is birdsong.

The canal proved a delight but sadly two roads crossed it making
navigation by boat along it impossible. | can only hope that the five
mile long canal will one day be open from the sea to Chichester for it
has great potential. The end of ake canal is at Salterns Lock beside
Chichester Harbour marina, which bursts with a wide selection of
yachts and motor boats; there is even a cafe here. | was tempted
having had no breakfast but I like to walk, so pressed on despite
thoughts of a full English. As it turned outlatea milk flake and crunchiebar at midday and did not have anything to drink, going more than 15 hours without liquid, but that is my style, mind and body control.

Leaving the yachts | pressed on along the shore to Dell Quay and the
edge of Fishbourne. Then around the other side of the Chichester
Channel and around the Bosham “peninsula”, walking past Bosham
Hoe and along Smugglers Lane. Gaining the foot-passenger ferry to
West lichenor, I saw it arrive, but my route lay along the shore. A path sign pointed the way along a narrow strip of shingle beach. I blindly and unknowingly pressed on, failing to grasp that it was high tide. Soon the path was flooded and I had to wade. Then climb along sea walls until eventually there was no alternative but to take my boots off and paddle. After 2 miles I reached Bosham. having passed several footpath signs! Reaching the road there was another path sign and notice, stating the path is liable to flooding - there was nothing at thestart 2 miles back; typical:

Not that I minded it it made an adventurous end to the walk and
although only 18 miles, it is a worthy addition to my day challenge
walks, just for the flooded path alone. I walked through Bosham back
to the car and quickly drove back to Hayling Island where I was
staying for late lunch. It had been a great morning:

The following day | returned to Fishbourne and explored the amazing
Roman [Palace and its extensive mosaics. Then onto Chichester for
another look round before returning to Bosham and further explora-
tion, and a coffee and cake by the church, one of the earliest Christian foundations in southern England. Turned out a perfect weekend and as I drove home the next day it poured with rain, I had timed it perfectly....... I will be back:

Enjoy the walk which although flat is full of unique interest and a path to walk and explore what ever the tide:

Happy walking,
John Merrill

A5. PLACED IN A PLASTIC WRAP AROUND COVER AND SIGNED BY JOHN MERRILL

Embroidered cloth badge and signed certificate for succesful walkers.

All successful walkers added to me Walkers Roll of Honur page,