Monday 17 April, New Forest Weekend.

Weather today was bright and sunny in the morning with more cloud in the afternoon. Temperatures reached 15C.

The original plan for today was to return on the Hythe ferry to Southampton. However we decided to avoid the urban sprawl by getting the Lymington Yarmouth ferry to the Isle of Wight, then cycling along the NW side of the Island via Cowes and getting the Fishbourne to Portsmouth ferry.

We started the day with a 10 mile ride to Lymington on lanes. Just outside Burley we were held up briefly as a Film Crew filmed a short scene at the side of the road. Then on to Lymington in time for a ferry 15 minutes after we arrived. We had elevenses on the ferry and then cycled on the round the Island route to Cowes and over the Chain ferry arriving just as a ferry came in.

We continued to Fishbourne arriving again just as a ferry was docking. We congratulated John on his organizing. Lunch was taken on the ferry which was a smart new one. After the 45 minute crossing we cycled on the cycle route to Cosham and then across to Havant and a stop for tea at the Greenhouse Cafe, Emsworth. 3 of us ordered a very delicious caramelized Apple Pie with ice cream recommended by Phil.

Mileage from Burley back to Chichester was 48

Edwin