Essex Man Does Walking

We decided that with so many miles to walk and the fact we had to get a ferry and train when we finished that we would forget the breakfast and head out early. So we headed out just before 7am, back down to the beach and then a long walk along the promenade all the way to Sandown. We were too early to grab a bite to eat so kept on going. Past the Dinosaur Crazy Golf place, Dino Isle (Excellent place) and the Isle of Wight Zoo in an old fort. This took us to Yaverland where we left the hard path and started our climb up the only major hill of the day.

Another foggy day as we climbed up towards Culver Down. The Lord Yarborough Monument loomed up through the fog. The cafe next to it was closed. So we continued walking past old gun emplacements and then down towards Bembridge. A holiday park we past was open so we grabbed a quick coffee and continued. Some detours again but nothing major, the final bit into Bembridge was away from the cliffs and down a long road which was a pity.

We headed down past the Bembridge lifeboat station and then got chased off some Private Land by an old man with a zimmer frame. The path definitely looked as though it went through there! Instead we walked along the beach. God knows what we would have done at high tide. My original route had us walking from Bembridge Point to St Helens Beach. No idea if this was possible if the tide was out. Instead we had to wander around the marina and across a causeway. It is at this point that sand seemed to have worked its way into my camera and it stopped opening and closing the lens! From here we walk back up into the countryside and then down towards Nettlestone and into Seaview. We manage to grab a rest and some sandwiches here. The path then carries on beside the beach with Ryde in the distance.

The path leads us into Ryde alongside some sandy beaches. The hovercraft is visible heading over from the mainland and it is not long before we pass the hoverport. From here it is a little up hill and through the outskirts of Ryde. The area on the coast is all privately owned from this part onwards so we have to head inland. There is a lovely bit through a golf course and then past a couple of Abbeys. Eventually we arrive at Fishbourne Ferry Terminal and head around it. We see plenty of people heading to the festival on the local buses. Heading through Wootton Bridge and an estate it is now road walking all the way. No path beside the road and a National Speed limit in place. Very dangerous and we have to walk a couple of miles like this at the least.

At last we get to the outskirts of East Cowes and past the one time residence of Queen Victoria, Osborne House. We must be close. It seems forever as we travel down towards the ferry terminal and find our starting spot by the chain ferry!

Well we did it! 70 miles in 3.5 days. Good going.

A quick pint and we catch the 4.30pm ferry back to the mainland and then a train home. We get back before 9pm which was far earlier than the midnight in the original plan. Just time for some wine.

Last Leg: 22 miles