The Messiah on a Hang Glider
July 2004 when I started to seriously engage in walking as a hobby. Since then, I have amassed a library of rambling books, subscribed to Country Walking Magazine and plotted all the routes into a computer resource that would take several lifetimes to complete.
Yet, after all this effort, there is not a single walk available on where we are dog sitting this week. Hayling Island is a black hole for the on-foot explorer.
Today's walk is as close at it gets, starting at the mainland side of the bridge at Langstone. There is a Fullers Pub, the Ship, with a car park whose boundaries are unlcear. Several signs offering fines for staying and the one sign that say how to pay is for moored boats. Fortunately, it is a 10am opener and with the staff turning up, I can confirm that we are good to go.
This is an easy walk, using the coast path into Elmsworth, with an inland diversion to see Warblington Castle. The tide is out and in the main, the seaweed is not a rotting, stinking mess of mud.
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| Today's Vista |
At the beginning of the walk, we pass what I incorrectly assume to be a lighthouse. This is Langstone Mill, built in 1730 and running for 200 years until converted into residential accommodation in the 1930s. Of course, it was an artist who first lived there. The wonderfully named Flora Twort.
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| A perfectly positioned Royal Oak available for thirsty Flora |
Emsworth, historically a centre for shipbuilding, oyster fishing, and milling, does have something to interest us. There are three Good Beer Guide Ticks available. We manage the two that are adjacent in the main road. Even if the Eeyore that is Mrs M insists that they won't be open at 10:30am in the morning.
I have completed my research. The Blue Bell, opens at 9.
And would you believe that there is no room? Every table taken and a constant stream of cars coming into the car park. We manage to get a seat outside, until the rain starts and then reposition to high stools at the bar. Two adults and two dogs being the worst of pub citizens, the bar blockers.
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| Blue Bell, Emsworth - unnaturally busy pre-midday |
Hop Back Fugglestone enjoyed, even if I couldn't answer my fellow drinkers' question as to whether it is a "bitter". It is, I am just not from these parts.
No problems getting a seat at our next port of call, the beautifully tiled Coal Exchange.
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| A Surprising Gastro |
Not that it wasn't going to get busy. Most tables were reserved for diners from midday and I can see this is a rather unusual Gastro pub - at least at Lunchtime. Never have I seen a more wet-led looking food pub.
Fullers, all I had to do was enjoy my pint, engage in good conversation with the friendly bar staff and wonder if ESB has permanently turned into HSB. The Ship, where we parked, also had no sign of my favourite special bitter. Not that there is anything wrong with HSB.
The rain came again, but we were able to shorten the route slightly by walking inland on what is marked on the OS Map as "The Church Path". Took us too close to Warblington Castle for decent photos, but what remains is on private land only. A sliver of a tower left behind after the first English Civil War.
I have spent too much time in the evenings on Twitter and Elon is convincing me there is about to be a second.
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| Warblington Castle from afar |
Back to a more modern reference for the castle - I have Tommy, the Musical on my sky planner. During the song "Sensation", a topless Daltry launches a hang glider from the castle top, whilst mental biker gangs first fight with guns and chains and then do that stupid Mud dance, of thumb in belt loops and hip pivoting.
I am either going to have to source some drugs in Hampshire or delete the film.
There can be no in-between.
Walk Details
Distance - 5 Miles
Geocaches - 0
Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine, August 2024, Walk 6
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