Portsmouth and the Wayfarers' Walk

 

To try and prove that I have a hinterland outside politics, unions, housing and pensions, below is another countryside walking post. While away for the weekend, Gill and I did this 6.5 mile circular route, in the rolling Hampshire countryside. 

It was a blue walk ("modest length, likely to include some modest uphill walking") from Jarrold, Ordnance Survey, Pathfinder series: book 12 "Hampshire and the New Forest". The weather was very kind and it was a lovely quiet walk through fields, lanes, woods, streams and a Roman Road. Overlooking Portsdown Hill and the historic "Palmerston's folly" Fort Widley.  

There was also the largest "Solar panel" farm I have ever seen and we even walked past a "Wanstead Farm" (many, many miles away from Wanstead flats which starts across the road from us). 

Very good free parking, benches to change footwear and WC facilities at the start in the car park at Purbrook Heath. Nearest public transport Purbrook. 

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East Tilbury, Coalhouse Fort and Bata Factory walk

Off message but went on marvellous walk today along the Thames Estuary. Weather was hot and sunny but there was also a perfect breeze. This is not an entirely "pretty" country walk. There is a constant contrast between the industrial heritage and natural marsh land beauty. It is also very quiet and isolated despite being opposite to Gravesend and so close to London.

Stopped off for a visit and a guided tour of the 19th Century Coalhouse Fort.  One of the so called "Palmerston Follies" built to defend the UK against the French but never fired a shot in anger until being used by anti-aircraft batteries during the first and second world war.

Towards the end of the walk was the abandoned British Bata Shoe Company striking modernist building which was the basis of a model town built in the 1930's by Czech entrepreneur, Tomas Bata.

Hat tip to Essexwalks.com for the walk itself. This is a fantastic free site for downloading walks and maps. This walk was overgrown in parts due to the recent rain, sunshine and selfish farmers and in the "growing season" for fear of red and scratched legs I would not suggest shorts and open walking sandals (which of course I was wearing today).