Dandelion 138

 Shade-giving hats are de rigueur, for the shoreside skippers, of the radio-controlled yachts. Who peer into the low sun, on this crisp autumnal morning. Racing their boats on the Slipper Mill Pond.

The ensign snaps and cracks, in a stiff north west breeze, above the former mill house. Now home to the Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club, 

As I left Northney, the ebb was well underway. Promising dry-shod passage, along the high tide line. Where the gravel is as firm as any footpath.

 Its emerald, low water, ‘lawn’ is fully revealed, by the time that I have crossed the Hayling Island bridge, to reach the Langstone Tide Mill,

The tide retreats, as I walk. Leaving a maze of sinuous silver rivulets, snaking across the saltings.

Nearing Emsworth, the Red Fox sits high and dry on her mud berth.

Whilst tenders cluster on the hard. Sheltered from the wind. Basking beneath a clear blue sky.