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. There is a lovely vibe, just two rows of beach huts among the sandy dunes on the peninsula, with a beach grill for a breakfast bacon bap. The quay across the water looks much more attractive than last night in the evening gloom.
It’s a short climb to the top of Hengistbury Head, where the views are impressive in all directions.
Sandy beaches run through Boscombe and Bournemouth to Sandbanks. There are at least three ongoing projects to restore collapsed cliffs and eroded beaches, a sign of the constant battle against the sea.
The ferry slipway at Sandbanks points the way forward for next week. I’m excited about starting this famous long-distance footpath, albeit in the “wrong direction”.
It’s a long journey home and Archie helps to unload the car. I must check for stowaways next week!
Walk distance: 15 miles.
Total distance: 358 miles.
I know this part of the coast well. Those beach huts at mudeford change hands for well over £200,000 would you believe. You are allowed to sleep in them which is partly why. The cafe there suffered a fire so you can only have takeaway. Still it doesn’t matter much at the moment anyway given that eating inside isn’t allowed.
Wow. The huts are in a lovely setting but still just small huts. I did have a good look in the windows as I passed and some of them looked very stylish inside.