Day 48 - Monday 26 June 2017
Bridport to Abbotsbury (11.9 miles)
An overcast day as we walked from the door in Bridport to regain the path at West Bay. A quick testy up & down over East Cliff to Freshwater - it should be noted that a few days after we transited above East Beach there was a section of the cliff that eroded away - right next to the path we had passed over. Arriving at Burton Beach we could see it was busy, particularly the cafe and we resisted the temptation to pay their over inflated prices and cracked on past Burton Bradstock.
At Cogden Beach we worked out that the path is signposted behind the shingle on a grassy path - the sign is easy to miss and if we had then we would have been walking along loose shingle to just before West Bexington - a long way. As it was we only had a walk on shingle of about 800 yards before reaching West Bexington. Our guide book suggested that there was a cafe in West Bexington called The Blue Anchor - this has been replaced by one called the Club House which to our immense annoyance was shut on a Monday!!
From the Car Park at West Bexington there was another short walk on the shingle before this turned to tarmac. The road led us to nirvana - also known as the Beach Cafe just below Abbotsbury - drinks & ice cream were taken here. Lovely walk into Abbotsbury via St Catherine's Chapel which grants superb views to The Swannery and down to the village. Couple of beers in The Ilchester Arms before catching the bus back to Bridport.
At Cogden Beach we worked out that the path is signposted behind the shingle on a grassy path - the sign is easy to miss and if we had then we would have been walking along loose shingle to just before West Bexington - a long way. As it was we only had a walk on shingle of about 800 yards before reaching West Bexington. Our guide book suggested that there was a cafe in West Bexington called The Blue Anchor - this has been replaced by one called the Club House which to our immense annoyance was shut on a Monday!!
From the Car Park at West Bexington there was another short walk on the shingle before this turned to tarmac. The road led us to nirvana - also known as the Beach Cafe just below Abbotsbury - drinks & ice cream were taken here. Lovely walk into Abbotsbury via St Catherine's Chapel which grants superb views to The Swannery and down to the village. Couple of beers in The Ilchester Arms before catching the bus back to Bridport.
The harbour at West Bay
The steep pull up East Cliff with West Bay below
The path that runs adjacent to West Bay Golf Course above East Cliff.
A couple of days later a section of the cliff face collapsed near to the right of where Fudge is now
A couple of days later a section of the cliff face collapsed near to the right of where Fudge is now
Burton Beach near Burton Bradstock - the large white house above the cafe belongs to the musician Billy Bragg
Cogden Beach stretching out ahead of us
The welcome grassy path that heads inland along Burton Mere therefore negating miles of walking on shingle
Near West Bexington - just a short section of shingle to negotiate
Beautiful sky near West Bexington
The memorial at West Bexington to Corporal Neil Blain, Royal Marines of the Special Boat Service.
Neil died in a parachuting accident in the USA - "throughout his life he epitomised the Commando spirit"
Neil died in a parachuting accident in the USA - "throughout his life he epitomised the Commando spirit"
The start of the transit along Chesil Beach - an old WW2 Pill Box is to the right
This was a delightful section of walking along a quiet track - just look at all those lovely plants
Heading inland now as we near Abbotsbury
Approaching Chapel Hill
Not short of SWCP signage around here
The Swannery
A panoramic from below Chapel Hill
Abbotsbury
A St Catherine's Chapel panoramic
St Catherine's Chapel above Abbotsbury
The chapel was built in the late 14th Century by Abbotsbury Abbey and was dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria, one of the most popular saints in late medieval England. The hilltop location recalls the monastery of St Catherine on Mount Sinai and suggests that the chapel was a place of pilgrimage. Overlooking the sea, the chapel was used as a beacon, thereby ensuring its survival after Abbotsburry Abbey was dissolved in 1539
The chapel was built in the late 14th Century by Abbotsbury Abbey and was dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria, one of the most popular saints in late medieval England. The hilltop location recalls the monastery of St Catherine on Mount Sinai and suggests that the chapel was a place of pilgrimage. Overlooking the sea, the chapel was used as a beacon, thereby ensuring its survival after Abbotsburry Abbey was dissolved in 1539
Dropping down into Abbotsbury - I smell Beer
A lovely pub in Abbotsbury - we have been here many times
As you do - silly not to really
Fudge giving it the big eyes because he wants the head off my beer
Overnight Accommodation
With relatives in Bridport
With relatives in Bridport
Day 48 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Cumulative Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Cumulative Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Ascent
11.9 miles
610.9 miles
5 hrs 40 mins
315 hrs 35 mins
2198 ft
141438 ft
610.9 miles
5 hrs 40 mins
315 hrs 35 mins
2198 ft
141438 ft