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 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 »
The spacious Viano is a step up from the cramped back seat of the Mazda if I can remember not to park on a slope. It was a windy old night. Gravity and a shaking car slid me off the
Day 23: The Needles to Lymington Read More »
The Viano has a new battery, roaring into life at 5:30 am, bound for Portsmouth Harbour. Luxury sleeping accommodation awaits. Due to the closure of the Hythe ferry and the walk from Southampton to Lymington being entirely along roads, I’m
Day 22: Emsworth to The Needles Read More »
The car alarm goes off at 2 am and I fumble in the dark, disoriented, trying to find the key. It should be disabled, but I vaguely recall my leg cramping and stretching out, kicking the door. It’s still cosy,
Day 21: Bosham to Emsworth Read More »
I wake up at 6 am and dimly recall the alarm going off at 5 am — not a great start. This is my first two-day hike, with an overnight kip in the well-prepared Viano, but the car has other
Day 20: West Wittering to Bosham Read More »