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.
Emmetts Hill
