The tide is out . . . .

There were odd goings-on in the Solent off Bembridge on Monday evening.  An exceptionally low tide meant it was possible to walk to St Helens Fort, about 3/4 of a mile off-shore, along a shingle spit which is exposed for an hour or so before the tide turns.  This has been on my 'to do' list for many years but somehow I've always missed it - it is one of those annual events that seems to just happen spontaneously without being officially organised.  However, this year we got a text from someone in the know, and, deciding that we would be spontaneous too, we packed our water shoes and headed off.

As the tide dropped, people gathered along the water's edge.  A few brave souls tested the depth and gradually the walkers began to set off into the sea.  It started with just a few but before long there were hundreds of people processing into the water, along a unseen (but obviously well-known) causeway.  Some people start from St Helens, others, us included, from across the harbour at Bembridge, and it wasn't long before the two groups met up and continued to the fort.  It was the most extraordinary sight.  

There was quite a bit of wading involved; I abandoned all hope of keeping my shorts dry and simply embraced the experience!  I was not the only lady of a certain age trying unsuccessfully to maintain some - any - decorum!  The receding tide eventually exposed the whole causeway all the way to the fort itself.  The tradition is that having reached the fort, you must climb the steps up to a narrow ledge that runs all around the structure, and complete a circumnavigation.  We did our best but had to give up near the end as it became a little congested with people taking selfies.  As we made our way back, there were still people on their way to the fort.  

All those people (there must have been two or three thousand) and there was something of a community outing about it.  No problems that I saw, everyone properly behaved and just a jolly, fun atmosphere - there were a couple of boats and the coastguard on stand-by, just in case anyone got into difficulties.  It was one of the more bizarre things we have done, but certainly great fun.  Definitely one to tick off the list.    

Oh, and the water wasn't as cold as I was expecting ;)