NEW HIKE: Hayling Island's Billy Trail circular. Breath the fresh air of the sea

Hello my sweet Jonions and future ones! I know, strange word, between a stinky vegetable and a copyrighted cartoon species ( don't worry if it sounds harsh, if I have to be compared to the leader in the cartoon, you win!) but this is how I call my sweet hikers with all my love!

The end of the year has arrived, we have had far too much food and avoided any sport during this festive season so it is time to hit the road again and start with a flat-ish one, so let's have our first coastal walk of the year, let's visit a new place, the gorgeous HAYLING ISLAND.

Located between Porthsmouth and Chichester, on the Western side of the stunning Chichester Harbour Area of Nation Outstanding Beauty, Thorney Island's bigger sister is one of the most popular. Between pretty beaches, estuary, woods, dunes and sailing ports, the island's miles of unspoilt coastline and countryside also offer a haven of peace and tranquillity, where visitors can walk, cycle or relax so we are going to hike this new baby of mine. The hike is around 12 miles(18km) and should take us about five hours. Burning the extra bit of fat we have put on in the past couple of weeks without hurting ourselves too much!Don't worry, the hills will be back in the next couple of weeks! :)

Although largely residential, Hayling is also a holiday, sailing centre, the site where windsurfing was invented.

The island is also full of history, from the Romans to people such as

Princess Catherine Yurievskaya, a daughter of Alexander II of Russia, who lived in North Hayling for many years, her grave is in St Peter's churchyard; and that of George Glas Sandeman, nephew of the founder of Sandeman Port and second head of that company, is prominent in the north-east part of St Mary's graveyard.

In May 1944, the island was the location of a mock invasion during the military Exercise Fabius, rehearsing the preparations for D-Day. We will hike the famous Billy trail located on the Western side of the island and the wildest and will enjoy the beaches and beautiful architecture of these small villages along the way before we head back to Havant for a well deserved meal.

INFORMATION:

DISTANCE:13 miles/20 km

DURATION: About 5 hours

DIFFICULTY: Medium

COST:

£15 via PayPal for the guide's fee

The fee is non-refundable, but you may resell and you can try to find someone to take your place.

About £25 in cash for the train. A tap in, tap out bus journey of about 10 minutes to cross the bridge from Havant to the Island.

We will buy a group return ticket at the station for those who wish to get a 34% group discount.

INCLUDED:

Guided hike

A great time with lovely people

NOT INCLUDED:

Train Bus Anything not mentioned above

WHAT TO BRING:

Waterproof shoes for the hike, preferably hiking shoes.

FOR THIS SEASON IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO HAVE WATERPROOF SHOES WITH A GOOD GRIP, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO HIKE WITH TRAINERS AS IT WILL BE MUDDY AND SLIPPERY IN SOME PLACES

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Weather appropriate clothes, including waterproofs if there is a chance of rain;

Water bottle;

Packed lunch and snacks.

MEETING POINT:

London Waterloo Station at 8.00 am

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE STATION MIGHT CHANGE ON THE FRIDAY AS SOUTHWESTERN ONLY CONFIRMS IT ON THAT DAY.

I WILL CREATE A WHATSAPP GROUP A FEW DAYS BEFORE AND WILL CONFIRM ALL THE DETAILS.

ATTENTION:

Our trips will not be cancelled due to weather conditions so please ensure that you do wear and carry appropriate clothing. 😄

POLICIES:

1: This group is designed for the pleasure and enjoyment of all of us, we do not accept any derogatory comments or behaviours towards anyone. Racism, discrimination and other unacceptable behaviours will only lead to your ejection to any of our trips and this without exception. Everyone is welcome, we have religious and non-religious people, gay, straight, bisexual people, all shades and colours or nationality, people of all ages, sex and political believes and mutual respect is the fundamental spirit of this group.

2: Our trips are only refundable up to 14 days before departure,(minus paypal and meetup fees)

if you wish to cancel after that, you will be offered a transfer to another trip for the same price or you may resell your slot to somebody else. ONLY AVAILABLE FOR £15 trips.

3: If we do cancel the entirety of the trip on our side, you will be fully refunded

4: A WhatsApp group will be created a few days before the hike, it is your responsibility to check any changes to the station or departure time on here or on the group