In 2022 at point [7] para 34, the way ahead , down steps, was closed. I believe the route ahead has reopened but if not, you will need to continue left along the road to the next road junction on your right, which you take to walk into Bosham

A select 7 on this walk, on a lovely sunny day which was just perfect for it. By luck or design the tides were also ideal, peaking at 1.40pm. So we got lots of glittering sea rather than miles of mud.

We split into two groups in the morning due to a difference of routes (three stuck to the road past the early lunch pub, four followed the specified footpath). A little later we passed a glorious field of pumpkins, surreally waiting to be harvested for Halloween (see photo on Facebook). There was also curly kale in different hues and leeks (apparently: I didn’t notice those).

The path on the last stretch to Bosham was officially closed, but we of course ignored that. The reason soon became clear - a metre wide gap in the sea wall through which water was gushing. Techniques varied for crossing this. One (me) leapt. One took off boots and waded. Four did what seemed to me a perilous step onto an inclined piece of concrete. One returned to the main road to find another route and rejoined us at lunch.

In Bosham the pub had no free tables, so we went to the Shoreside Cafe, which served perfectly decent nosh and produced it much quicker than the pub would have done. It was high tide, the sparkling water lapping right up to the cafe, nearly overtopping the “This Road Floods at High Tide” sign. One local, with a shopping bag, waded fully clothed out to his boat anchored in the bay, apparently unconcerned to be soaked up to his waist.

The afternoon passed pleasantly and we got to the gorgeous Bishop’s Gardens in Chichester at 4pm. How lovely the cathedral looked, etched white against the blue sky! We had again got a bit strung out but eventually five of us assembled in the garden of the tea room. We then went to look at the very charming cathedral, which supposedly closes at 5pm but obviously didn’t, because we time for a good look round it.

We got the 5.39 train, split into two groups, neither of them, as far as I know, consuming any “supplies”. All of us agreed this was a very nice walk which deserves a more regular airing.

It’s not just the younger walkers that need a later train. Some of us have to connect by train and cannot travel legally before 9.30 to get to the departure station. Additionally my train service to Clapham Junction has been cut 50%.

I’ll be at CJ for the later train having boarded my 4 carriage half a train.

Marion for info - you can travel "legally" before 09-30 hrs - you just need a different rail ticket.

Planning these walks 'aint easy and I regret I cannot always accommodate everyones specific travel needs - much as I would like to.

Well I made the earlier suggested train as it was 3 mins late at CJ. Only 4 others 1 who had paid an additional £10 fare as she was unable to use her Network Card. This was her first walk with the group as she normally organises her own walks using our book. Welcome and hope to see you again. Another used the ticket office at Victoria and was charged £22 instead of £12 with an over 60s travel pass and Senior railcard. En route we met a Clog member from Haywards heath who had caught a later train and finally all made the recommended pub in Bosham at 2.20pm. Two had a very nice lunch but we noted that the Book 1 route was recorded at 9.5 miles and we were using walk notes 2 miles longer hence the late lunch arrival. Luckily the pub is very popular with local tourists and the kitchen stays open until 2.30pm. In the afternoon we met a walker who had missed the later train departing CJ and had travelled to Bosham station to find us.

One left for Chichester without stopping as she wanted to see the Cathedral. Three left at Fishbourne to catch a bus to Chichester hoping to catch earlier trains but only managed a late arriving bus to catch the 5.39 for Victoria after a very tiring humid day.

Did anyone catch the later train? We saw no one else all day from that train.

It is simply not possible to achieve this extended route for a comfortable lunch stop in Bosham but The Old house at home would have been perfect timing especially with the Chidham churchyard for picnics. We did not walk slowly indeed one was reported to be a member of the long distance walkers

6

Eleven of us did this walk on Wednesday 25 August 2021, taking the same scheduled "early" train. I recall about six of us were in time for lunch at Anchor Bleu, with others joining us for a drink. The Cathedral closed early so we adjourned to the Wetherspoons for walk-end drinks. We had a good day and I hope the six of you on today's walk enjoyed your day.

Well I made the earlier suggested train as it was 3 mins late at CJ. Only 4 others 1 who had paid an additional £10 fare as she was unable to use her Network Card. This was her first walk with the group as she normally organises her own walks using our book. Welcome and hope to see you again. Another used the ticket office at Victoria and was charged £22 instead of £12 with an over 60s travel pass and Senior railcard. En route we met a Clog member from Haywards heath who had caught a later train and finally all made the recommended pub in Bosham at 2.20pm. Two had a very nice lunch but we noted that the Book 1 route was recorded at 9.5 miles and we were using walk notes 2 miles longer hence the late lunch arrival. Luckily the pub is very popular with local tourists and the kitchen stays open until 2.30pm. In the afternoon we met a walker who had missed the later train departing CJ and had travelled to Bosham station to find us.

One left for Chichester without stopping as she wanted to see the Cathedral. Three left at Fishbourne to catch a bus to Chichester hoping to catch earlier trains but only managed a late arriving bus to catch the 5.39 for Victoria after a very tiring humid day.

Did anyone catch the later train? We saw no one else all day from that train.

It is simply not possible to achieve this extended route for a comfortable lunch stop in Bosham but The Old house at home would have been perfect timing especially with the Chidham churchyard for picnics. We did not walk slowly indeed one was reported to be a member of the long distance walkers

11 off the 1st train, I presume none off the 2nd. It was a hot sunny day and a long way to lunch. When we got there, it was predictably busy but I think most people got what they wanted.

There was a do on in Bosham Church so we couldn’t explore. However, some of us were suitably recompensed by an earlier visit to Chidham church. It has an artful window celebrating its 800th anniversary, and a collection of dolls made from teasels, depicting characters from the same period e.g. Genghis Khan, the Black Death, Joan of Arc (with flames), Leonardo da Vinci, Winston Churchill, the Beatles. Even our own dear queen was there. (Just as well she was labelled because she looked more like a hedgehog). Anyway, worth a look.

And so to Chichester where, I hear tell, libations were taken in a Wetherspoons. I and two others got the 17:09 from Hell. Held for ages in Horsham to couple with a delayed train then dawdled to East Croydon where we were all turfed off and had to catch another. Good day out though.

Mr Tiger was very unlucky with his journey home. The 7 of us on the 17-39 encountered no problems with the joining train at Horsham and we were back in Victoria almost on time, shortly after 7 pm.

5 of us had a cheapo, good value tea in the Dolphin & Anchor (Wetherspoons) after the disappointment of finding the Cathedral's excellent cafeteria had closed down (a victim of Covid) and the closing time of the Cathedral had been brought forward to 4 pm. Hopefully, when the pandemic is properly under control the previous visitor times will be reinstated - and the caff reopened.

As Ian mentioned, the Anchor Bleu pub in Bosham was very busy but full marks to the pub's management and staff for their friendly, efficient service. The 3 of us who dined in the pub's front garden enjoyed good lunches which were served promptly. The beer was also good and Mr Tiger, who had joined us for a drink, appreciated his glass of cider.

The weather was near perfect for today's coastal walk and not too hot for the inland sections.

7 altogether who came off the train. But everyone quickly fragmented. Four ate at the pub, which had some wonderfully placed water jugs near the front door (easy to refill some empty water bottles). Three ate in the church yard. It was rather hot, and not very well shaded anywhere. Also very still, little breeze. Three went on the train home together, where we ran into another club member returning home from a weekend away.

Being one of the 'younger' walkers, i.e. not qualifying for pre-10.00 discounts, I will take the 10.06 to Chichester, walk the route in reverse, and invest my savings in a ticket to Fishbourne Roman Palace, slightly off route. I shall see you at the lunch pub...

Splendid, young Anonymous - we oldies look forward to meeting up with you at the lunch pub.

7 met on the platform at Southbourne railway station, and 2 joined us at lunchtime having walked from Chichester (including young Anonymous) so I make that 9.

The weather was near perfect for a day's coastal and harbour walking, sunny and warm , only clouding over late in the afternoon.

The tide was in as we set out along the sea wall accompanied by a pleasant breeze. We stopped to visit the lovely church in Chidham, to admire the home made puppets representing people and events of historic interest over the centuries - including the four Beatles. Highly recommended next time you try this walk.

Onwards then beside Bosham Harbour into Bosham for lunch at the Anchor Bleu pub. How nice to find it not full and crowded for once. 6 of us dined in their upstairs dining room, with harbour views, and we all enjoyed excellent meals. The two Chichester starters joined us at the pub and they, too, partook of the cuisine on offer. We left the youngster to finish his luncheon as he was continuing to reverse his walk to Southbourne, whilst his companion from Chichester elected to return to Chichester with the oldies. I got left behind mid-afternoon as I was book checking and updating the directions (mostly still fine). I last spotted the group crossing the railway on the new bridge as they entered the city. A brief stop for me in the cathedral cloisters, then on to the station for my journey home (bang on time - thank you Southern). I believe the group stopped for tea somewhere in the city - perhaps one would like to add an addendum to my report. Utilising a number of adjectives:

Lovely walk

Perfect weather

Pleasant company

Excellent lunch

Good travel

Nice day

10 on this walk, 8 travelling via Havant, 2 on the direct train from Victoria. Ironically it was the Havanters who were hit by a Southern cancellation of their connecting train, while the direct service operated as planned. But there was another Havant connection 20 minutes later so we only started ten minutes behind the others and soon caught them up.

Low tide (lower than I expected, to be honest) meant a lot of green slime in view on the coastal bits of the walk. It was also cloudy and very humid accompanied by a steady drip of raindrops which were a bit like adding water to the coals in a sauna. Despite this an enjoyable walk. Nice flowers, a painted lady butterfly or two, and terrain that was different from the usual. Nice to see former SWC stalwart Catherine B back on a three week visit from her native Australia. Lunch in Bosham outside the Anchor Bleu pub was also very pleasant and enlivened by a bride and her maids of honour walking past in full regalia. On the last stretch of coastal route to Fishbourne we at last saw some sea as the tide came in and Fishbourne Meadows had lots of (relatively) rare Southern Marsh Orchids. A few visited Chichester Cathedral.

The "recommended tea place" in Chichester is long gone - no trace of it remains. But six of us found a pub and five of us had dinner and we all got the 8pm train home. I made a note on current tea options and a few minor direction changes and will update the online version soonish.

Advance singles are available online from Southern. http://www.southernrailway.com/offers/advance-tickets/ These may work out cheaper for some of you but having to specify time of travel is awkward for the return leg. If you already get reductions, a cheap day return may still be best, so compare carefully.

Hello there!

I'm new and understand that these walks are self-organising. But how/where can I meet the other walkers?

If you can't identify them on the train, they will be obvious on the platform at the station at the start of the walk. Groups tend to be a bit bigger on Saturdays than Sundays, so if you are new to the walks and want to be sure, try one of the Saturday walks first.

N = 1 me!

Yes I was alone at Southbourne as the train pulled away. I enjoyed the walk it was beautiful weather and great scenery.

1 therefore, and beautiful