Day 5 Yarmouth to Gurnard Bay 16 miles

This was to be our longest day and typical of the longest days on previous walks we have done it was a day of diversions that made it even longer than planned. A rather frustrating day but it had some good points. There was thunder rumbling in the distance as we ate our breakfast and as we boarded the bus rain was falling. There was quite a heavy shower but by the time we reached Yarmouth the skies had cleared and that was the only rain we saw all week.
We started off OK in Yarmouth with a walk beside the sea.

The path then entered a wooded area and wound its way through Bouldner Forest before emerging on an unspoiled beach just made for skimming stones.

This side of the island is largely undeveloped although parts of the coast are inaccessible due to ownership by the M.O.D and private properties and tidal creeks and mudflats.

There are many very large houses on the island and prices are cheaper than the mainland so it is an attractive place to live in retirement.
The path continued through woods and leafy lanes until it came out on to the main road near Shalfleet. After turning left at the New Inn we encountered our first diversion of the day as the wooden bridge near Shalfleet Mill was closed for repairs.

We decided to sit outside the New Inn to have our lunch at this point. Fortunately it was only a small diversion and we were soon back on track on the road to Newtown, a small village with a lot of history.

Newtown Town Hall 1669

Noah's Ark

The Noah's Ark is now a private house but used to be the village inn until 1916.
The route followed field paths and wooded areas before emerging on the road to Porchfield where we found a convenient seat for a tea break.

Porchfield

 It was quite tricky walking on the narrow roads round here as there weren't any footpaths but we were soon heading back towards the coast again reaching a holiday complex at Thorness Bay. It wasn't the best place to stay for young families more of a dog walkers paradise I would have thought.

Thorness Bay

We thought it would be easy now over the cliffs to Gurnard Bay but of course just when you think like that you come across another diversion. This one took us well inland as once again the cliffs were in a dangerous condition. This added an extra mile to our walk just when we didn't want it.
We did eventually reach Gurnard Bay

Gurnard Bay

This was probably my least favourite day but it was good to see the undeveloped side of the island in its natural state. An extra half mile up the road for the bus back to Newport and a meal in Wetherspoons to finish off the day.