UPDATED Spring mainland walk - Portsmouth Harbour

Our lovely mainland rambler friend Martin has kindly extensively recce'd a route for our next mainland extravaganza! ...  It's a slightly unconventional walk in that there's a section in the middle ol which is ... by bus ! This is to avoid a rather grim section of  main road-walking on the inland section (no coastal path available) on the western side of Portsmouth Harbour. It also has the benefit of keeping the walk nearer to a 10 mile distance (the route now works out at 11 miles) 

Coming from the island will get the 08.45 fastcat from Ryde Pier Head , and (subject to bus timetable being confirmed - 29 March timetable is not yet published) and catch the 09.42  bus from Portsmouth Hard bus interchange to Portchester, arrives 10.02, to start the walk from Portchester precinct upon arrival there (Should there have to be any changes in travel plans they will be published here, so please keep an eye) 

The route follows the coast for the first half - via Portchester Castle (the best preserved Roman Fort in Northern Europe), Cams Bay, and then along Fareham Creek - a pretty and probably largely unknown area to islanders - via Upper Quay on its east side, and back down Town Quay on the west side. 

Approx halfway along our walk we will have a picnic stop at The Castle in the Air pub (toilets), who have kindly said we may use their garden as our picnic if we buy drinks. Bring a packed lunch !

As mentioned above, we then catch the bus along the Eclipse Busway from Hoeford to Fort Brockhurst. This is a converted railway track and a good alternative to the unappealing two mile stretch on the A32, however it has no footpath and pedestrians and cars are banned (but weirdly not cyclists) so we get the bus. But it is a beautiful, quiet and surprisingly rural route with access in the right places for our walk, with regular buses. 

Resuming on foot at Fort Brockhurst, via Elson, to the Camber Basin where the cranes that loaded the gunpowder on to HMS Victory are still in position. We will have a stop at the Explosion museum (cafe / toilet) and then via Forton Lake and Gosport Marina to catch the Gosport ferry (£5.30 adult / £3.40 Senior )  back across to Portsmouth Hard / Harbour station for our return fastcat to the island (either 16.15 or 17.15 depending how the day goes) 

The total route comes out at approx 11 miles walking, and is pretty much totally flat

This should be a great day out, and something a bit different ! 

Should any mainland ramblers wish to join this walk, you can either meet us at either Portsmouth Hard bus station to catch the 09.42 No X4 bus and do the whole multi-method circle with us, or at Portchester precinct at 10.02 when our bus arrives and the actual walk starts, and then make your own way back to your transport from Portsmouth Hard,  or from Gosport where the walk ends

The leader for this walk is Martin from Mid Sussex Ramblers (07973-340261), in conjunction with Serena who is posting it (07564-811690). Any questions please feel free to contact either.