Day 52 - Friday 30 June 2017
Weymouth to Lulworth Cove (12 miles)
Overcast start to the day which would stay pretty constant unfortunately therefore not great light for photographs. Caught the bus from Bridport to Weymouth and on arrival started walking along the Promenade. At Bowleaze Cove we met up with friends Pauline, her husband Andy and their lovely pooch Gemma for tea at The Lookout Cafe - a lovely spot overlooking Weymouth Bay. We had also arranged to meet up with Nick Goodwin, a fellow walker who had completed the SWCP last year. We had been out walking with Nick a few times and he arrived at Bowleaze around lunchtime with his friend Linda who he had met last year whilst walking the path - Nick would be joining us for the last 3 days of the walk.
At Osmington Mills we stopped for a drink at the lovely Smugglers Inn before heading along a delightful undulating section, again with steep ups and downs particularly Bats Head & Swyre Head. Whilst we were not seeing it on a good day, Durdle Door was still an amazing sight and we were not alone as we stood above the natural limestone arch. Continuing on, the path diverted us from the cliff edge to the Main Car Park where we said goodbye to Linda - we would meet up with Nick tomorrow morning. From the Car Park there was a steep descent on a good path down to Lulworth Cove from where we headed into West Lulworth and our bed for the night at The Castle Inn. That evening we met up with a friend of Angie's, Rachel who she served with on HMS Northumberland.
At Osmington Mills we stopped for a drink at the lovely Smugglers Inn before heading along a delightful undulating section, again with steep ups and downs particularly Bats Head & Swyre Head. Whilst we were not seeing it on a good day, Durdle Door was still an amazing sight and we were not alone as we stood above the natural limestone arch. Continuing on, the path diverted us from the cliff edge to the Main Car Park where we said goodbye to Linda - we would meet up with Nick tomorrow morning. From the Car Park there was a steep descent on a good path down to Lulworth Cove from where we headed into West Lulworth and our bed for the night at The Castle Inn. That evening we met up with a friend of Angie's, Rachel who she served with on HMS Northumberland.
The Jubilee Clock on Weymouth Esplanade
A view of our walk today
With Pauline at Bowleaze Cove
Heading for Osmington
The Smugglers Inn at Osmington
Search & Rescue up and about
Heading for White Nothe at Ringstead
Ringstead Bay
A Ringstead Bay panorama
With Nick & Linda as we near White Nothe
The Stone Navigational Obelisk at West Bottom
It had to be done I suppose
Walking along Middle Bottom
One of the gentler descents today - there were however some challenging ones coming up
Swyre Head
Stiff up & down at Swyre Head as we near Durdle Door
The descent into Scratchy Bottom......
... and here we are
A Durdle Door panorama
Durdle Door - shame it was overcast today
The tourist trudge up to the Car Park at Durdle Door
Lulworth Cove ahead
The Castle Inn at West Lulworth
Cheers Fudge!
Day 52 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Cumulative Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Cumulative Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Ascent
12 miles
652.6 miles
6 hrs 50 mins
334 hrs 35 mins
2536 ft
147910 ft
652.6 miles
6 hrs 50 mins
334 hrs 35 mins
2536 ft
147910 ft