The sun was bright this morning so after checking the tide times with easy tide
I decided to load up the trailer and head off. I had been meaning to paddle from Bosham near Chichester for some time. The cunning plan was to attend a meeting in Portsmouth and get back an hour before high tide an explore the area. However traffic conspired against me and by the time I was free it was almost high tide. So I thought I would put in at the slipway at Hilsea and paddle out to Langstone Harbour. I have never paddled along that route.
I arrived at the car park to find a height barrier. Oh how I hate height restrictions. A quick rethink and i'm driving to the Mountbatten Centre. Their car park has no height restrictions. The only problem here is that there is no channel so as the tide goes out you are left with a lot of thick black mud. Great for waders not so good for short people in trainers.
The put in is a bit scruffy but easy access from the car park.
I decided to head out to the main harbour with no real destination in mind.
I have often seen these beasts from the motorway but never close up. Probably still more MPG than my Deli.
Once past the M275 bridge it was really peaceful although the wind was stronger than expected.
I headed towards Portsmouth docks for a closer look at some of the ships.
A closer view of the Spinnaker tower. There were a lot more boat movements this end of the harbour so I had to concentrate on paddling and avoiding the wash.
I quickly got bored with looking at our industrial skyline and so turned across the harbour towards Porchester Castle.
The outer wall is Roman. I can't remember the date of the keep. It was used to house French prisoners of war.
I thought Wing might like a photo of the keep and I needed a caffine break if I was going to battle the tide back to the put in before I lost all water.
Landing stage and coffee stop with Vospers boat yard in the background. Sadly this slipway is private for Porchester Sailing Club only and I was scowled at by the locals.
I couldn't stop long as the tide was picking up and I had to head back with an increased sense of urgency.
Luckily I got back faster than I expected and had time to paddle over to this bit of art?
After some poling practice in the shallows I felt ready to face the traffic home. All in all a great afternoons paddle in near perfect conditions.
I decided to load up the trailer and head off. I had been meaning to paddle from Bosham near Chichester for some time. The cunning plan was to attend a meeting in Portsmouth and get back an hour before high tide an explore the area. However traffic conspired against me and by the time I was free it was almost high tide. So I thought I would put in at the slipway at Hilsea and paddle out to Langstone Harbour. I have never paddled along that route.
I arrived at the car park to find a height barrier. Oh how I hate height restrictions. A quick rethink and i'm driving to the Mountbatten Centre. Their car park has no height restrictions. The only problem here is that there is no channel so as the tide goes out you are left with a lot of thick black mud. Great for waders not so good for short people in trainers.
The put in is a bit scruffy but easy access from the car park.
I decided to head out to the main harbour with no real destination in mind.
I have often seen these beasts from the motorway but never close up. Probably still more MPG than my Deli.
Once past the M275 bridge it was really peaceful although the wind was stronger than expected.
I headed towards Portsmouth docks for a closer look at some of the ships.
A closer view of the Spinnaker tower. There were a lot more boat movements this end of the harbour so I had to concentrate on paddling and avoiding the wash.
I quickly got bored with looking at our industrial skyline and so turned across the harbour towards Porchester Castle.
The outer wall is Roman. I can't remember the date of the keep. It was used to house French prisoners of war.
I thought Wing might like a photo of the keep and I needed a caffine break if I was going to battle the tide back to the put in before I lost all water.
Landing stage and coffee stop with Vospers boat yard in the background. Sadly this slipway is private for Porchester Sailing Club only and I was scowled at by the locals.
I couldn't stop long as the tide was picking up and I had to head back with an increased sense of urgency.
Luckily I got back faster than I expected and had time to paddle over to this bit of art?
After some poling practice in the shallows I felt ready to face the traffic home. All in all a great afternoons paddle in near perfect conditions.
