My first attempt at a TR, so go easy on me.
Having barely being able to move for 3 or 4 days due to straining my back shifting garden waste I thought I'd try an easy local walk.
Starting from the busy B3397 I took the cycle/footpath towards Victoria Country Park before doubling back to visit the Netley Military cemetery.
Cemetery Gates
All these head stones seemed remarkably new considering they where all dated during WW1. I need to read up on this.
I followed the cycle path into Victoria Country Park.
Chapel in Victoria Country Park
The recently refurbished chapel is all that remains of Royal Victoria Military Hospital. There was originally large wings extending either side of the chapel.
Further around the park was a recently developed fairy garden. The centre piece was a castle sculpted from the remains of a diseased 140 year old cedar tree.
Fairytale castle
The chapel from the pier head on Southampton water
Leaving the country park I followed the Solent Way along the banks of Southampton Water, with views of the BP terminal pier and Fawley petro-chemical works across the water......mmm nice.
A short stretch of that pesky loose shingle
Beyond the BP pier I eventually came to a WW2 anti-aircraft gun positioned close to Hamble Point. This was given a good spruce up not too many years ago and was looking good. Then the local council claimed the concrete base that the gun sits on was beginning to crumble in places. They made the decision, presumably based on safety, to build a fence around it, rather than repair/maintain the base. Now it can barely be seen.
Big gun - can you see it?
Leaving Hamble point I crossed the road and entered Hamble Common, eventually passing marshland and creeks fed from the River Hamble.
Creeky
The Pink Ferry
Onto Hamble foreshore and the unmissable Hamble/Warsash pink ferry, then called in for a refreshing end of walk pint in the Bugle Inn.
All in all a pleasant very level walk of about 4.5 miles, and no after effects with my back, in fact it's improved no end. I was beginning to get a bit concerned with it as I'm supposed to be setting off on Offa's Dyke path next week.
Thanks for viewing.