Hunston Canal Morning Walk 4th March 2020

On a somewhat cold and drizzly morning a happy band of 9 walkers left the pub car park heading for the New Lipchis Way footpath, so named because it runs 39 miles from Liphook to Chichester Harbour. Pauline our leader for the day, must have had this in mind when she led us towards the harbour, oops wrong way, fortunately we were soon heading correctly back to Hunston bridge. The view from the bridge looking towards Chichester with the Cathedral in the background was painted in 1828 by JMW Turner.

We cheered canoe rowers on as they went under the bridge beneath us. Continuing along the canal path towards the basin where we stopped for a coffee break, some also had a quick look in the new Canal Heritage Centre. By then the rain had settled in to stay so we made our way back, not on the route planned but nevertheless an interesting and easy canal side walk. We were fortunate to have spotted a beautiful deer on the opposite bank at the edge of the water, Mallards pairing up, Moorhens doing what Moorhens do or were they Coots? Swans swimming and even a pair of large Carp swam beside us as we walked along. The passengers keeping dry on the Kingfisher Canal boat waved to us with our hoods and umbrellas up, enjoying nature at its best, seen in the lovely photos taken by Barbara. Just over four miles and we were back at the Spotted Cow for a much needed lunch and a few chocolates.