There were reports that the Wittering Estate was fully booked for the weekend. This made us cautious about
where to go for our walks, we prefer being away from crowds of other folk no matter how nice the are; popular places are not popular with us. Chidham seemed to be worth a try, the tides were favourable too, high water was at 9am and only 4.2 metres.
The weather was reasonable, just a bit of drizzle forecast and quite warm at 8 degrees; such a contrast to the blue skies and icy temperatures of the previous two days. However, this was the precursor to Storm Bella that’s due to strike southern England in the evening and overnight. Warnings were everywhere, the Met Office and the Authorities were clearly worried about this one. It’s
70 knot winds had already done some damage so trees, power lines and buildings are vulnerable and travel is not encouraged.
Away from the Church passing through the fields we saw a jogger freeze in a rather strange manner, we soon saw why. A heard of five Fallow deer were in the field but hidden behind nearby trees, they soon came into view quite close to us. After ambling about they settled down beneath a tree eyeing us warily but tolerating our presence just a hundred yards or so away. We took plenty of snaps. Bonnie was fascinated and started to walk towards them, I made the mistake of signaling her to stop with the whistle. She did so very obediently but the noise spooked the deer which ran off in the opposite direction, white tails bobbing away. They couldn’t have been that concerned as they stopped again in the next field.
The pond known as the bomb hole had been subject to some serious clearance. We assumed that a team of volunteers had been at work cutting back the brambles, there remains of a bonfire was all that was left behind. The stream had been cleared too, a good job done, it will be in much better shape for the year to come.
Out on the harbour it was relatively quiet apart from the Brent which were everywhere as usual. There were a few duck and waders about but not many, perhaps more would join them as the tide receded uncovering more mud. The dark timbers of the wreck had become visible as the water level dropped, like the backbone and ribs of some long deceased beast.