Undertaking a venture like the coastal walk it takes a wee while to appreciate that there are no rules; there is no set route and, essentially you make it up as you go along. From what I can see no two people make the same journey. In my travels so far I have tried to stick to the notion that I am 'walking' the coast and, by and large, have avoided taking ferries to cross the various water features. The exception so far was the Bawdsey Manor / Felixstowe Ferry. This has often meant long detours walking up and down rivers which I have been quite happy to do when it appeared to be worthwhile. For example, walking up and down the various rivers and creeks going through Essex was a great experience.
This next stretch, particularly from Chichester to Gosport and again just below Southhampton, challenges that practice because if I leave the coast and go inland I would principally be walking in large conurbations on major roads, never pleasant at the best of times. Yet, down on the coast there are a number of small pedestrians ferries that travel very short distances by sea but which would save me walking tens of miles on major roads.
As well as the practical issue, I have also started to believe that I can finish this bugger but I do need to think about my age and the practicalities that accompany it. A kick in the backside off sixty five, at my current rate of progression I will need another three or four years to finish it off, so will probably be nearer seventy when I complete it. Whilst I am generally fit, the joints are aching and I need to manage that as best I can. For all those reasons, I have decided to us the small pedestrians ferry on this journey and to continue to keep the matter under review as I progress. To the purists throwing their hands up in horror I give the commitement that if I am fit enough when I finish the journey I will return and do the walks I have avoided by taking the ferry.
All goes to show, it's never easy being a Vagabond!