Wednesday, 17 November 1999

Coastwalk

Southampton → Hamble-le-Rice

[Oil terminal near Hamble]

Distance: 18.8 miles
Ascent: unknown
Duration: unknown

A long day
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Note: this write-up (and the distance above) describes the entire route from Southampton to Gosport via the ferry over the Hamble. Because I have since walked out the ferry, I have created a new entry for the second half of the walk.

Today's walk started amongst the commercial docks in Southampton. It ended beside the warships of Portsmouth Harbour, and in between heard representations from all communities of England.

In Weston, the Canberra Towers cast their five parallel shadows of sixties' accommodation over a generous green leading to Southampton Water. A BP oil terminal welcomed me to the outskirts of Hamble-le-Rice, while in the village itself an old man had been waiting all day to take me across the River Hamble in his rowing boat.

As Southampton Water became The Solent, industry turned to tourism: the marinas on the Hamble, the caravans and countryside inland. And then towards Gosport: homes, amusements... and guns. It's impossible to be far from organised violence round here: the rifle ranges on Browndown, Fort Gilkicker, Fort Monckton, HMS Alliance and HMS Dolphin.

It was dark by the time I joined the commuters on the ferry across to Portsmouth, too dark to see yet more modern warships or even where the sixteenth century one is displayed at the Historic Dockyard.

This was a long walk, but one I'd repeat if I lived here. It's encouraging to cover so much distance in one day and affirming to see such variety in the lifestyles of those living by the water. Who knows, I may even get used to the overwhelming presence of the Navy.

Posted by pab at 21:54