A cloak-and-dagger day. The early morning drive takes me past a mist-shrouded Stonehenge and valleys with only church spires rising above the haze. I have an early morning rendezvous on Seaton promenade to hand over legal documents to my sister-in-law, […]
Day 33: Seaton to Sidmouth Read More »
Due to a landslip, the path from Charmouth to Lyme Regis is diverted inland, tracking less scenic main roads, before cutting through woodland and a pristine golf course. The popular beach resort is quiet at this early hour, with colourful
Day 32: Charmouth to Seaton Read More »
I’m back on the shingle of Chesil Beach, but the tide is going out, so there is comfortable wet sand to walk on. A well-placed sign suggests I’m going the wrong way, but heading west works for me, keeping the
Day 31: Abbotsbury to Charmouth Read More »
The spectacular Fleet Lagoon, over eight miles long, stretches to Abbotsbury. With only a narrow tidal opening at Ferry Bridge, it’s separated from the sea by the equally impressive Chesil Beach, dotted with isolated fishing huts. It’s theoretically possible to
Day 30: Ferry Bridge to Abbotsbury Read More »
Today’s section of the SWCP is rated severe. Ian is hiking with me again, kindly dropping me off at the isolated 13th-century St Aldhelm’s Chapel. First, I must walk back east to Winspit Quarry, which is closed to film the
Day 29: Worth Matravers to Lulworth Cove Read More »
The Isle of Portland is shrouded in dark clouds, grim and forbidding, as I walk across the long beach connecting it to the mainland. Tiny figures gaze atop a structure in Castletown Harbour, part of an artificial Mulberry Harbour used
Day 28: Ferry Bridge to Isle of Portland Read More »
The challenging Worth Matravers to Lulworth Cove walk is postponed until next weekend, as it passes through MOD firing ranges, and they are closed during weekdays. Duncan survived the night in the Viano and his friend, Ian, joins us for
Day 27: Lulworth Cove to Ferry Bridge Read More »
Today marks the start of the South West Coast Path, stretching 630 miles to Minehead, climbing 114,931 ft, almost four times the height of Everest. It’s also my first time with hiking poles, so this should be fun. One of
Day 26: Poole to Worth Matravers: South West Coast Path Read More »
The rising sun lights up the car. Who needs an alarm clock? A hot coffee sets me up for an early drive to Poole, a train back to Christchurch, and a fine morning walk around the harbour to Mudeford Sandbank.
Day 25: Christchurch to Poole Read More »
The spring bunting is out in Lymington. The pretty cobbled streets lead me down to the quay. There’s a small pond next to the harbour and laid-back parents seem happy for their inquisitive ducklings to swim close. I spend two
Day 24: Lymington to Christchurch Read More »