Day 4: Freshwater Bay to Chilton Chine.

The more discerning of you will have realised that today's walk is not contiguous with yesterday's. You will also have noticed that today we are walking anticlockwise around the island rather than clockwise as before. This is not because we were starting to get dizzy! We went to visit a friend camping near Totland who walked down to Freshwater Bay with us. He is to be seen  in the first slide beside Shiel.We walked south along the promenade and followed the path up above the white cliffs.

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Below are two views taken looking back to a gradually receeding Freshwater Bay.

The path upward was soon clearly defined in the chalk as we climbed up towards the main road, heading south

 

As the path neared its maximum height above sea level it ran next to the road, between it and the edge of the cliff. The photo of Frau Barr below, is taken near the peak, looking back towards Freshwater Bay. Her view, to the south, is shown in the following image.

Today the views looking back (North)

were much more impressive than those looking South

 and we would suggest walking this section in a clockwise direction.

Today was bright and sunny and we could see clearly to the horizon in all directions. However from all the cracks, slumps and slips that were visible on the cliffs it is clearly not always so dry. These cliffs appear very unstable. Some of the paths we traversed today I wouldn't want to cross in wet weather.

For those of you who followed our Leeds to Liverpool canal blog you will know we are interested in people who literally take their dogs for a walk.Today we met such a couple.They had two lovely dachunds, from the same litter, 15 years old. One could still walk by herself, Heidi, but the other, Joker, has to be carried. He has diabetes and is blind as a result. The dogs were clearly loved by a very pleasant couple. As an aside the lady owner was also carrying a 'doggie pooh bag.' It was pleasing to see that some people cre for others as well as their dogs.

.It was a short walking day as we didn't start walking untill after midday. We also had to stop early to catch the 'Island Coaster,' the only bus running on this section of the coast. It is reputed to stop anywhere on request. The island bus drivers are excellent drivers and very friendly.