Sunday 16 October
Eight members met at Chichester Cross on a bright Sunday morning – Colin, Chris, Jim, Freda, Yvonne, Bernie, Mary and Phil. We headed west, crossing the railway, turning right before the A27 to cross back over the railway, and following the south coast cycleway route towards Emsworth and Havant where Adrian had arranged to meet us. We added another member, Jill, who caught up with the group before we reached Havant and met Adrian outside McDonalds.

We decided to press on, so we crossed the railway at Bedhampton (after waiting for a considerable time as the crossing gates were closed), and began the ascent of Portsdown Hill. The group fractured on the climb but coalesced again at the viewpoint where we took coffee along with a large
group of leather-clad bikers.



We pressed on along the ridge then parted company with Jim and Freda as we turned left to descend down into Porchester. We continued to the castle and everybody decided to eat sandwiches or other provisions on some benches inside the castle in the lee of the seaward walls. For future reference the
nearest pub, the Cormorant, had a sign outside saying ‘table reservations only’. The next pub along (the White Hart?) looked a better bet for lunch.



The wind had not been noticeable as we cycled east, but was now strengthening from the east as we started back. We took the lower road for our return trip to Emsworth via back streets and over Bedhampton crossing (again closed for multiple trains). The usual cafe was closed for the weekend so we went down to the waterfront where a large crane was lifting boats into dry-dock for the winter. The cafe was full so we returned to Heidi’s where Phil and Mary had tea but the others decided to press on as the sky was now overcast and there was now a distinct threat of the promised rain in the air.



Phil Turner

16/10/2005