Log No 305. Mon 5th May 2014 - Emsworth to Fishbourne, 18 miles (4680 miles walked)

Today's planned route was thwarted early on, I left the campsite in Southbourne at 08.10 in the sunshine and walked to Emsworth to pick up the Sussex Border Path (I didn't seem to be in Hampshire very long) and walk round Thorney Island.

The MOD occupy the southern half of Thorney Island but I didn't expect any problems as it wasn't a firing range however when I got to the boundary fence I found the gate locked.

The gate had a remote locking system and there was an intercom unit on the gate with a help button.
I pressed the button to ask about access and was told "Due to health and safety we cannot unlock the gate" and that was that, all I could do was walk back the way I came to the marina where I got a path to the east side of the island.

Back on the coastline it was now just a case of walking round all the channels of Chichester Harbour.

Most of the channels had a defensive sea wall with a footpath along it so it was fairly easy going.

I came round Thorney Channel to Bosham Channel which had a lot of dinghies weaving in and out of the moored yachts.

I got to Bosham just before midday and stopped for my second short break.

It was a popular place and I was lucky to find a bench free.

The tide was out so I saved a little bit of time by using the tidal footpath across to the other side of the channel.

Thr footpath continued round to the Chichester Channel where it stopped opposite West Itchenor and the small ferry going across there.

I took the minor roads to Hook Farm where I could get back on a footpath and follow the side of the Channel to Fishbourne.

This was my intended finishing point and I got here at 14.00, earlier than expected because of the 4 miles I couldn't get access to on Thorney Island.

I did 18 flat miles some of which were quite rough and tested my leg a bit without any problems. It is not 100% but definitely improving.