Week 8

Day 42 - Portland Circuit - 15 miles - cumulative mileage - 588
This was a part of the SWCP so although it was a circular route I still felt obligated to complete it. I was pleased that I did. The weather was gorgeous. The isle appeared to be a large quarry where rock had been mined but left to create a lunar landscape.

I particularly enjoyed visiting the lighthouse at Portland Bill, as did many other visitors. The cafe was extremely busy.

The walk was relaxed and allowed me time to return to camp, to sunbathe, shower and then catch a bus, to visit the old harbour, in Weymouth for a drink and food.

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Day 43 - Ferrybridge to Lulworth Cove - 15 miles - cumulative mileage 603
Nearly finished! Walked from Ferrybridge on a path created from an old rail track that used to link local communities to the town of Weymouth.

While having breakfast I heard a commotion outside the cafe, to discover that this was being caused by a procession of the original Mini motor cars. I felt as though I was on the film set of the original "The Italian Job".

Having finished breakfast I walked around the old harbour to see a collection of power boats preparing for a race around the bay. In one of the power boats I also recognised a group of people whom I met last night, at a pub.





Having left Weymouth the walk took me out onto some pleasant grass covered cliffs, down to a character pub and then onto a couple if cliffs where there were both long and steep climbs. The second cliff was worth climbing as it presented a wonderful view of Durdle Door, a rock in the form of an arch at the end of a beach, which attracted many visitors.

Typical steep cliff walk

Durdle Door

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Day 44 - Lulworth Cove to Langton Travers nr Swanage - 17 miles - cumulative mileage 620
The day started off in sunshine but with a slight trepidation because today's walk was planned to be both longer and more strenuous than most. After climbing one cliff and then seeing red flags this proved not to be the outcome. The red flags signified that the military would be practicing firing rounds from tanks and so I should not be able to follow the SWCP for the next section.

This was actually a saving grace. It saved me some hard work ascending and descending some cliff tops; and although I was mainly walking on roads I did get to see Corfe Castle and was able to easily locate tonight's campsite - the last on the walk.

Strangely the owner of tonight's campsite comes from my home town, Guildford. Enjoying my last pub meal on the trip and looking forward to my last day, when I shall complete the walk having journeyed for 630 miles.

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Day 45 - Langton Travers to South Haven Point - 10 miles - cumulative mileage 630

I woke up feeling happy that the walk was ending today so I could have a celebration to reward my feat; and  secondly that I should therefore have the opportunity to start considering my next challenge, while on my homeward journey later today.

Today's walk took me along cliff paths to Durlston Head and Durlston Castle built for the founder of the Mowlem construction group; and then onto Swanage and Studland Bay before reaching my final destination the Sandbanks ferry, at South Haven Point for my return home by train from Bournemouth.

Having walked past the Tilly Whim Caves and through the woods leading from Durslton Castle and started walking down the grass slope leading into Swanage who should I see but Spela, for the third time on my recent walks. How coincidental was this? We decided to walk into Swanage together to have a coffee and to compare experiences once again. This decision was well-timed as it started to rain.

Tilly Whim Caves

View of Swanage

Finally we parted so I could conclude my walk having had the opportunity to relax on the beach, at Studland Bay, enjoying the remaining rays of Summer sunshine and to bask in my glory that I should be crossing the finishing line very soon.

Do I look slimmer than when I started at Minehead?

What were the highlights?

• The people I met along the way
• The villages and their communities all the way along the walk.
• The weather! Yes, I was fortunate, especially when on the warmer days I thought I was in a foreign country - could this possibly have been the UK?
• We have some stunning, picturesque scenery on the coast.

Last thoughts ....

• Yes, it was tough in places but a most enjoyable experience. I am glad that I achieved my ambition to complete the entire length of the 630 miles walk in one hit.
• I feel healthy, fit and at peace with the world.
• No, I should not want to do it again, in reverse. I need a different challenge.