Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2015 / January 2016 | Page 51

FEATURE

Walking the Duver
A

Pushing along, past the cafes,
favourite walk at this time
Guest writer Mark Fox continues
you walk over the dunes and
of year is to walk from the
with his series looking at different onto the beach. This part of the
St Helen’s Duver round
walk is best done when the tide
the harbour and along the coast
places of interest on the Island
is low. The beach is glorious and
to the lifeboat station. This is a
and an uninterrupted view of
walk that is glorious at any time
This issue he looks at the St Helen’s flat
the sea and the coast opens up
of year of course, but as a family
Duver to the lifeboat station walk
before you. On a clear day you
we find it particularly fun on
can see down to Chichester and
one of those crisp clear winter
beyond.
days. The sky opens up over the
For families and young children
eastern solent and the air can
Walking along the sea wall you have
there are rock pools and plenty of sand.
feel like a chilled glass of something fizzy. to take care. If it is wet or icey it is all
Fun whatever the weather and at any
Parking on the Duver the first stop is to
too easy to slip on the uneven pathway.
time of year.
pick up a fresh coffee from the Baywatch. Watching the wildlife and the ever
Before you know it the lifeboat station
Sipping it as you cut across the dunes
changing landscape is however a wonder.
and head down to the harbour. The
Passing past the old mill and through the is within range. The energetic may want
to walk along the pier and look at the
first temptation is to cut the corner and
car park to the road there is a great view
lifeboat – always fun.
opt to take the water ferry to the bank
along the length of the harbour.
Turning right it is a short walk up into
near the yacht club. If it’s anywhere near
Heading down the road the cars tend
lunchtime then the temptation is worse
to whizz past but soon there is the always the village and browse round the shops.
Then down to the harbour to catch the
– to take the ferry straight over to The
interesting prospect of the houseboats
ferry and back to the other side.
Best Dressed Crab and settle in for one of nestling on the shore and the glimpse
This is one of those walks that shows
their wonderful lunches. Resisting these
of a more tranquil life. On the right
the Island at its best. Something for all
two great distractions we head off down
there are the marine shops and stores
the family, whatever age, whatever the
towards the linking sea wall, watching
which provide endless opportunities for
year.
the hardy souls who are afloat or working browsing and spontaneous shopping.
on their boats.
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