Friday, 19 November 1999

Coastwalk

Portsmouth → Emsworth

Looking towards Portsmouth from Emsworth

Distance: 15.2 miles
Ascent: unknown
Duration: unknown

Enough
« Gosport | Fishbourne »

Wednesday's walk left me shattered. And having needed yesterday's rest to give me enough energy to today's leg I know I'll not be out again this week. So five walks in seven days; not a bad first attack on the rest of the coastline.

This walk is in ever more boring thirds. The first part, along the front in Portsmouth was brisk and fun. Most noteworthy (besides the eternally present forts - including one at sea this time) was the hovercraft terminal in Southsea. You'd be pushed to find a more clear manifestation of British eccentric ingenuity than the hovercraft, and it was wonderful to imagine these bizarre machines are still in regular use.

From Eastney it's a long walk north to the A27, then east around Langstone Harbour for the final third. As I turned to the east the skies darkened over Portsea Island, providing an ominous last photograph of the week's walking.

Five walks, a total of seventy-seven miles. I realise now that I can do this. If the coast is seven thousand miles long, it'll take one hundred one-week holidays. It's the project of a lifetime, something I'll chip away at for many years to come.

Posted by pab at 21:55