Yarmouth (actually Norton) to Brighstone.
Well yesterday involved lots of mud, lots of stiles and I only met two people all day apart from the lady in the supermarket! The two I met just told me I wasn’t far from Yarmouth but West Wight had lots of mud and landslides and with rain they weren’t sure how I’d manage by myself! Very reassuring note to go to sleep on!
No rain forecast for the day but as I set off need my waterproof as it was quite mizzly. A quick cut down to the coastal path and actually quite near the sea.
That didn’t last too long as the route cut in land towards a holiday park. Actually met some walkers who weren’t covered in mud but did tell me about some paths closed- again. Up on to a main road and down towards Colwell Bay. Signed on a different track to the one on the map but chatted to someone who said there was a good cafe in the bay.
Good but expensive, £4 for a black coffee, it was good and so were the loos!
I asked about the path closure and was told to divert round the back of a pill box and that plenty of people had walked that way. I followed my local instructions- doing well and then a huge clay and plant debris landslide across the path – bit like a promenade at this point. Evidence of foot prints and with the help of my pole I crossed this very slippery stretch. Managed to climb through the barrier at the other end.
Along a bit further and I can see another sign and a cafe. Advised that it was just the sea wall broken but I could also go up the adjacent steps and meet the path again at the top. As I approached the top of the path I should have come up I met with a group of walkers who had been doing the path over a couple of years and this was their last bit. I was able to fill them in on the closures and chatted for a bit.
On towards the needles peninsular, this bit looks good on the map. Over Headon Hill, avoiding Alum Bay Chine. Even before I saw a group of children being shouted at to line up I knew I didn’t wish to explore it. This route is a bit intense and with 14 miles at least to cover today there’s not much scope for going off piste.
A steep climb up and onto the top with a great view of the needles. The official path doesn’t go right out to them but I decided I had at least seen them. Great walking up on the top, grassy paths, wide open spaces and after turning back inland after the coast guard cottages, views in all directions.
It’s now also the Tennyson Trail and I can see the monument nearing. I’m met with a glorious site, my first orchids of the season, only common spotted ones but they were in abundance. What a treat!
The path in this section sticks close to the cliff edge usually with a field to the side. A few turns inland but mostly to navigate a cut into the land – a chine.
The cliffs here are now red mud and very fragile, huge clumps of earth and grass have subsided. I had an interesting experience with some cattle, heifers I think, who seemed very curious about me and avidly followed me along on their side of the fence!
A major diversion just as I was approaching Brighstone, which is where I was staying for the night, so quite useful really. I was quite glad to see the Three Bishops Inn but a more enjoyable day.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 