A repeat of a ride we found in one of the "Lost Lanes" books, and which we did in August 2020 (wearing masks on the boat!) The official ride starts at Chichester Rail Station, but we opted to start at the beach, so that we could end there.
Route (photo of route at end of blog)
With sunshine forecast, we drove to West Wittering arriving just after 10am for a cuppa and pastry to set us up for the first few miles.
 |
| Tide Out ! |
 |
| Cafe views. |
After leaving the way we arrived by car, we soon took a turn off the road at a signpost for SALTERN WAY, called Sheepwash Lane. This section follows around field edges to get us to Itchenor, avoiding roads.
 |
| Old Park Lane enroute to Fishbourne. |
At a T-junction, we joined the A259, but only for a few yards, before disappearing into a lane, signposted cycleway. This wiggles through a residential area to Roman Way, and Fishbourne School. We just missed a cyclepath but were able to get through a gate at the end of a car park next ot the Roman Palace.
 |
Getting back onto the cyclepath at Fishbourne Roman Palace.
(which is very modern!") |
Then on a cyclepath, UNDER the A327, and straight ahead to climb a pedestrian / cycle way over the railway. We dropped down from the bridge, continuing straight on, (Westgate) then into an alleyway called Mountlane, which passed Chichester College.
Passed the college, ringing our bells, on the cyclepath, which continues passed the railway station. A very short section on Stockbridge Road, then left to see the Canal Wharf, where we decided to stop for a cuppa. (There are also loos in the Canal centre)
 |
| St Richard of Chichester Church. |
 |
| Erigeron is very happy |
 |
| The babies got too close to the edge for a decent shot! |
 |
| It's that red boat again. |
 |
Last time we came in August, and the edges were flowering pink with
Himalayan Balm., Nice to see the Iris today. |
 |
| Eventually, we crossed this bridge, where Turner had painted this scene |
 |
And the red boat is catching up again. He did well!
Loved the oars reflecting in the water. |
 |
As we left the Canal to join this road, we missed the cyclepath on the other side
last time, so knew to look out for it this time. |
Another very good path to keep us safeley away from the main road. We did join it furgher round on a straighter section, but not for long, then a right turn into a quiet road again, Church Road, towards Fisher.
 |
| Church Road, Fisher. (or maybe a bit futher) |
 |
Then the route goes through here. These cows were NOT here last time!
|
 |
Thankfully they were mostly sitting down, and not bothered at all.
(but lets just peddle fast incase they change their mind!!) |
 |
Then this! We don't remember this either.
The route was about a foot wide for this section which lasted about 5 mins. |
 |
Very soon we arrived at Pagham Harbour marsh area.
(tide out!) |
 |
| The pretty house with the pond opposite. |
A man was strimming, so not the most peaceful place to sit today, so after a quick rest, we moved on, continuing on Mill Lane. The next section of the ride is very quiet lanes passing lots of plant nurseries, but nothing to see of the plants from the roadside. But a pleasant ride anyway, with lots of bends.
 |
| We saw quite a number of fields today with white plastic! Wonder why they need that! |
 |
| A thatched Unicorn! Thats a first. As we approach Earnley. |
Not far now, as we ride through a bit of residential area of East Wittering, arriving back to Pound Lane, the beach road, from the opposite direction. We got back at around 2.45. Fish and Chips time!
 |
| 2.45ish and tide coming in at West Wittering |
 |
| The tide almost in, but its still a big beach. |
Lovely day out. A long round trip, but nice to do something different, and to see the route in a different season to last time, when the fields were parched by August.
