David and Jo's Adventures: 2015

Friday 2 October 2015

Emmetts Hill to South Haven-THE END!

Thurs 1st Oct 2015

Woke to a wonderful view- we are going to miss this. Packed away for the last time and set off on more narrow paths and steep climbs. We past St Aldhelms Chapel with its 1665 and 1609 graffiti scratched in the stone pillars. A few old quarries in the area and plenty of people out walking (often we don't see anyone). These last sections have been a pleasant surprise - just as picturesque and dramatic as all the others. Stopped at Durlston Castle for a cream tea before walking into Swanage. Went into the tourist info to get some accommodation in Studland for our last night. Booked into the pub and carried on for another couple of hours via The Old Harry Rock formation and into the lovely village of Studland. Into the Brankes Arms Inn fairly exhausted and of course thirsty! Dropped the bags in the room before a lot of celebratory pints of the best Ales we have had,brewed on site, Fossil Fuel. Followed by an evening meal. Tonight's certainly blown the budget - cheers Tracy & Roger.

Fri

Well this is it! Can't believe it will be the last day on the path. Another Full English breakfast before the last 3 miles along the beach of Studland Bay. So glad we have had great weather the last few days to finish on a high. Mixed thoughts as we reached the end commemorative marker. A big hug and a few tears. Our friend Val was ill at home so couldn't be there to meet us but husband Malcolm came along just as we had finished. He gave us an Aussie flag/hooter/cap/badge and certificate (from The South West Coast Path Association) and of cause took the final photo of us.

Conclusion:

Hard to believe that we have done this now and that it is all over. 636 miles/1020kms

Climbed 115,000 feet almost 4 times the height of Mt Everest! 68 days of walking 49 in the tent. Average cost £67/$143 per day (mainly on food and drink that we would have to buy anyway).

We have met some great people along the way to swap stories with and have shared the experience with some wonderful family and friends. It was harder than we expected but the challenge has been incredible. Everyday was a new experience with something new around every corner. Even the steep hills became addictive! Both of us feel very lucky that we have been able to do this together and in one hit, as we have realised now not many people are able to. Now it's time to get back to Australia, get some money together, and work out our next challenge / adventure. This walking is addictive-missing it already!

Jo & David

👣👣👣

Good morning. Our last night under canvas

Morning hair brush

Tough-450 steep steps on this one!

Think this may be the last corner!

Durlston Castle

Swanage Beach

Old Harry's Rock

Studland. The Brankes Arms Inn

Our last night on the path

View from b&b in Studland

Walked along the beach from Studland to South Haven finish point

Yes! We have walked 630miles/1017kms

At the finish

South Haven (Shell Bay) SWCP sculpture

Our friend Val made us a cake!!!! Unreal!

Val had also organised an official certificate / badge and cap from The South West Coast Path Association- so thoughtful.

Sunday 27 September 2015

Weymouth to Emmetts Hill

Mon 28th Sept 2015

David and Sheila took us to Weymouth where we had lunch before we set off on our final leg of the path. Along Weymouth seafront and along low cliffs. We stopped at the 13th century Smugglers Inn for a pint in Osmington Mills. Then walked on to a wild camp spot at West Bottom-overlooking the steep cliffs before Lulworth Cove.

Tues

Pretty blowy and cold night as we were right on the cliff but we both slept well. Set off early and came across our first Adder on the path. We were then hit with 3 steep climbs and descents before reaching Durdle Door and then Lulworth Cove. Both stunning locations with huge geological significances. Coffee and chat with a lovely old couple from Yorkshire. Walked into West Lulworth, another beaut village, and had lunch in the Castle Inn. We had to now do a 13 and a half mile inland detour from here as the path is shut to Kimmeridge due to the army using the firing range all week. It puts an extra 6 miles on the walk but it made a great change to go through country lanes/farmers fields/woods/little hamlets/past Lulworth Castle/impressive old houses and even ended up having a chat with the local blacksmith. Ended up being a big walk today (9hours) and we were glad to find a camp spot in a wood just off a minor road. Had been hearing tanks and machine gun fire on and off all day and this continued till quite late.

Wed

Think we had a deer visit us in the night! Another fine day and a bit warmer in the woods than on top of a cliff! Again an interesting walk back to join the coast path at Kimmeridge Bay where we thought we could get something to eat, but no, we had to walk 1 mile into Kimmeridge Village to find a cafe, as there would be nowhere else until we get to Swanage (13miles away) not amused. Great lunch and another mile back to the path. Past Clavell Tower that was built in 1830 but because of cliff erosion was dismantled stone by stone in 2008/9 and moved 25m inland! It now can be rented for holidays. We were again walking so close to the cliff edge that you just hope won't collapse from under us. Wonderful views back to Lulworth with sheer white cliffs. A couple more steep climbs and descents but we seem to be used to them now. Thought we had found a good wild camp spot but when Jo asked a young lad on a tractor if we could put the tent up he told us the farmer would move us on! It was only 20mins now until the sun went down! So we then had to walk on and do another big climb to Emmetts Hill. Here we were lucky to find the perfect spot overlooking Chapmans Pool - next to dry stone walls of a Royal Marines memorial for protection from the cool wild. What a view for our last night in the tent.

David and Sheila drove us to Weymouth so we could set off on the last section of the path. We went via the new Marina on Portland and had a very good lunch for £10 for 2 meals.