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Autumn 2000 - Dorset Coast Path (Swanage to Weymouth).
Swanage, Carrington Cottage x2
Friday 29th September.
Jack Ralph, Phil and Dick Grundy met at Leagrave station to travel to London where they met Pete Thompson at Waterloo station. After a quick pint in the Coopers they took the train to Wareham, and a taxi to Corfe Castle, ready to start walking.
At Corfe Castle they joined the Purbeck Way staying on it until they reached the coast path at Ballard Point, then along the coast path to Swanage, (about 8.5 mls). The weather was fine apart from a brief heavy shower, a pleasant walk to start with, apart from the steep climb at the end up to the Hostel where they met Norman.
After a wash and brush up it was down to the Red Lion to start the evening's business of eating and drinking. The rest of the party joined us there during the night apart from Paul who did not arrive until 10:50, but he had just returned from Ireland.
Saturday 30th September.
We split into two groups; group 1 took the coast path direct from Swanage group 2 took a taxi to Worth Matravers then cutting across to the coast path.
Group 1 Paul, Andy, Graham, Dick Mckay, Pat and Dick Grundy set off after an early breakfast along the coast path. All was well, weather fine, walking pleasant until we reached West Hill by Chapman's Pool were there were two very steep drops and climbs and another steep climb at Houns-tout Cliff, then a gradual easing off to Kimmeridge Bay. Group 2 Norman, Pete, Phil and Jack joined the coast path at Chapman's Pool and followed the same route as the others along the coast path.
At the end of Kimmeridge bay the coast path enters the Army Ranges and again starts with a long climb and then more ups and downs. At Arish Mell Dick Grundy and Pat cut the last climbs out by walking along the white roads in the ranges, (as they entered the range Norman blew his whistle shouting you can't go in there, he was duly saluted and ignored). The roads were crossed without mishap, passing various targets, coming out above the Hostel in West Lulworth, which was reached by climbing over a fence and crossing a field. This was done as Dick was getting cramp in his knees and was having trouble going up hill. The others stayed on the coast path to Lulworth coming down round the cove by the sea.
The aim had been to get to Lulworth Cove by 16:15 to get the bus to Weymouth where we were going to stay at Andy's, only Andy, Graham, Paul and Dick Mckay made it. Dick an Pat found out the pub did not open until 18:30 but just made the village shop before it closed getting a drink and a taxi number, taking a taxi to Weymouth and walking up to Andy's. The others stayed in West Lulworth waiting for The Castle to open and stayed there for beers and food.
At Andy's suitably refreshed with tea, biscuits and shower we left for sustenance getting the bus into town going to Dorothy's for food, Andy had a chilli which was very hot. So hot in fact it set the toilet paper on fire, as Dick Mckay found out the next day, drink and a game of pool definitely a champagne moment after the days hard walking. After we left Dorothy's we went on to The George and The Ship.
As we left the ship there was a drunken person surfing the wash of cars going through a tidal flood under the Town Bridge. We then went on to The Boot and then back to Andy's apart from Andy, Paul, and Graham who went back to Dorothy's for some freshly squeezed orange juice.
Sunday 1st October.
Another fine day after the previous days hard walking it was decided to travel to Lulworth and walk back to Weymouth. All did this, apart from Norman, Jack and Phil who walked the other way. Norman going to Preston where he had left his car, then driving on to Lulworth to meet Jack and Phil.
After a bus, train and taxi ride we arrived at Lulworth. Taking a look at the Stair Hole we carried on along the coast path, once past Durdle Door and Bats Head the walking got easier reaching Osmington Mills for lunch at The Smugglers Inn where we met Jack and Phil.
The walking after lunch was easy apart from a strong head wind all the way into Weymouth. We only had a couple of light showers but Jack, Phil and Norman got quite a soaking. As the wind had dried us out we stopped at Dorothy's and The Dorset AleHouse on the way back to Andy's.
We all showered and changed Norman then provided a taxi service as it was raining persistently arranging to meet for food in The Dorset AleHouse. However they did not serve food on Sunday night but the bar made rang across to the Brewers Quay pub who were serving food so we all went there to eat, good food and large portions. We moved on to the White Hart (bad beer) and Dorothy's before returning to base.
Monday 2nd October.
The weather was overcast and blowing a gale so after breakfast, cooked by Andy and Dick Grundy with washing up by Dick Mckay, we cleaned the house.
Norman had to go home so took the others who wanted to go straight home to the station and left.
Andy and Paul walked from the house down to Chesil Beach and across to the Isle of Portland staying on the coast path around the island. Dick Grundy and Pat got a bus to Easton on the island then joined the coast path taking a pleasant stroll round the island. At Portland Bill the full force of the wind could be felt, with spray being blown of the rough seas.
As Dick and Pat left the Pulpit Inn at Portland Bill Andy and Paul arrived it was arranged to meet at the Cove House Inn were Chesil Beach joins Portland Isle. After refreshment we got the bus to back to Andy's for a final tidy up then left for the station. The bus was late and we did not have much time to get the train so we had to run, another champagne moment as Dick left Andy behind, but it was ok as Andy knew his watch was right and there was plenty of time to get the train. We all made it, Paul got off at Wareham to go and get his car, and the rest of us had an uneventful journey home.
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