Keyhaven Marshes nature walk in Hampshire and a Harbour Hotel Champagne Afternoon Tea in Dorset

Hello, Owen here!
Faye and I went for a walk around the shorter Keyhaven Marshes Nature Walk followed by a champagne afternoon tea at Harbour Hotels in Christchurch.
It was a sunny but windy day so Faye did get cold ears lol! But the week itself is beautiful with so much nature (especially birds). The walk itself I would say is easy as there are gravel paths. Just make sure to bring your walking boots or wellies if it's been raining.
Harbour Hotels was a bit of a challenge when we first turned up as there were so many cars and no parking spaces. Once inside we sat down for our champagne afternoon tea with views over to Mudeford Sandbank which was lovely. The food was good and it was nice to sit down, relax and chat after our earlier walk.
About the nature reserve (ref www.hiwwt.org.uk)
"Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes is a beautiful area of coastline. The internationally important coastal marshes and mudflats are teeming with fish and, as a result, thousands of sea birds and waders flock here.
The Trust leases the offshore coastal marsh and mudflats to help protect this unique and historical coastal habitat.
Covering nearly 740 hectares between the mouth of the Lymington River and the village of Keyhaven, this coastal reserve offers fantastic views across the Solent to Hurst Castle and the Isle of Wight.
Although this is our largest nature reserve, it is not one for exploring but for admiring the stunning vistas.
Visit in the spring to see arriving migrant birds such as wheatear, swallow and tern. Vast numbers of black-headed gull can be found nesting on the islands among the mudflats and open water. Out at sea, cormorant dive for fish beneath the waves.
Listen to the distinctive high-pitched sounds of redshank and oystercatcher as they wade through the marshes, looking for crustaceans, fish and molluscs to feed on.
In summer, discover specialist, salt-tolerant plants among the shingle banks on Hurst Spit. Yellow horned-poppy, sea campion and sea aster flourish here, surviving the salt spray carried on the breeze."
Thanks as always for reading and watching, if you have any questions pop them in the comments as I'm happy to answer where I can.
Nature reserve:‪@HIOWWT‬
Hotel: ‪@christchurchharbourhotelsp8438‬

[@flyingvisit2586]

Thanks for taking us all on your great walk. Beautiful scenery and the lovely sound of the numerous bird song, I ❤ Sky larks too. Loving the Champagne tea, when it's gone, it's Scone. 👍

[@owen_oj]

It's always scone when I'm about 😂 thanks too 😎

[@elenafarace4289]

Looks like a nice walk. So much pretty to see !

[@B.JoyJohnson]

Looks like lovely day 😍

[@owen_oj]

Thanks, it certainly was 😎

[@deedeskin2439]

"Is it a millipede or a caterpillar?" It's a...caterpede! Or maybe a millipillar? Great scenery, too. Thank you, Owen and Faye!😊

[@owen_oj]

Whatever it is, the arse remains pointy! 😂

[@deedeskin2439]

​@@owen_oj Ah, yes. The rare and elusive "Bullet-bum" Caterpede! 😂 I imagine they have to be extra careful during the act of "future parenthood "! One bad slip and..."Oh, no! I loved my mate to death!"

[@owen_oj]

@@deedeskin2439 😂😂

[@blessingsoutlaw]

The perfect day, thank you for sharing! Question: the ladders at the beginning of the hike…are those used to lower oneself into a boat moored below, or is there a ledge down there for hiking?

[@owen_oj]

For the boats at low tide.