UPDATED Reverse Island Part 1 - Round the Island, Ryde to East Cowes - 10.00am start

Please note the startpoint for our circumnavigation has been changed to Ryde in place of Cowes as previously listed, to give a better chance for the path further west to dry up and de-mud a bit by the time we reach the more westerly sections.

We will be walking the Coastal Path round the island in sections  - anticlockwise this time.

This is the first of our coastal path stages. It is a linear walk. Meeting at Ryde Interchange at 10.00am . Please meet at the map on the wall  of the Interchange, opposite Stand B (And please note I won't be there until 9.55am myself, as planning to park at the end of the walk and get the 09.25 No 4 bus back, which arrives at Ryde Interchange at 09.55. Others may or may not wish to do likewise)

There are some lovely sections on this walk but be aware that it is not the most scenic section of the coastal path overall, as it does have significant sections of road walking – including down the main road into East Cowes. But that can’t be helped – unless and until English Heritage in particular change their minds to allow access over the Osborne Estate (feel free to write to them !), these roads are where the path goes. So not my favourite section, but it's not a bad walk and gets it done at the start.  And it's a relatively flat and easy section

The coastal ("coastal") path at this point heads out of Ryde via Binstead, Quarr Abbey, Wootton, Fishbourne, and Whippingham, ending at East Cowes. 

Please note that there are easy partway “escape” points accessible by public transport on this section of the walk in particular at Quarr or Wootton (or indeed Whippingham if you want to avoid the final main road stretch into East Cowes - though at least it's downhill !). So if you are wanting a shorter distance walk, you are obviously free to "dip out" and catch the bus at any point - just let me know on the day please if you decide to do that !

Toilets and food/drink opportunities at start, end, and en route

It is proposed to have a very short drinks / piglet hello at Quarr Abbey (timewise, not cafe - however there is a loo if needed), and then lunch stop at Wootton Creek alongside the Sloop Inn -  pop into the pub ahould you want a quick drink. Bring packed lunch or snack     

By car :

If you are carshare / shuffling , park one car at East Cowes town centre, and then drive back and park the second at Ryde - free onstreet parking or pay car-parks in both towns

But probably easier (and better for the roads and the planet) to just park at (or bus to) Ryde and then get the bus back to Ryde (or onwards home) at the end of the walk 

By public transport :

Plenty of choice of bus (and train) connections to Ryde Interchange from all directions. Then at the end of the walk : No 4 buses back from East Cowes to the Ryde startpoint hourly at 25 mins past the hour (should be OK for the 14.25). Or if you're heading back to Newport then the No 5 bus is half hourly at 15 and 45 mins past the hour 

OR probably better if you can get up in time : park your car at the end of the walk, and  get the No 4 bus back from East Cowes (09.25 , gets to Ryde 09.55). THis is what I propose to do - I will get on at Waitrose or one of the stops just up from there.

Car share

In the interests of the air, parking, and non-drivers, if anyone is able to offer, or needs, a cars hare then please post on WhatsApp group (to join group please message Serena 07564-811690)

DATES FOR THE FUTURE SECTIONS OF THE REVERSE ISLAND WALK :

         ~ Sun 4 May

         ~ Sun 8 June (amended from 1 June due to diary clash)

         ~ Sun 29 June

         ~ Sun 27 July

         ~ Sun 17 Aug

         ~ Sun 7 Sept

       *** ~ Sun 28 Sept

***Unsure atm whether or not we will need this date or not to complete the circumnavigation. If not, then I will aim to use this date for another walk or extravaganza

NB : If today's walk has to be postponed for any reason, weather or otherwise, it will simply take place on the date listed for the next section, and so forth. So basically all the sections will just fall back a date, no "fresh" dates creeping in for any postponements, any change will just default to the next date.  Hopefully this may make it easier for the diaries of walkers - and leader !