To a Long Steep Hill

                                                    Massive cliff fall on Jacobs Ladder Beach, Sidmouth   This trip has been very notable for cliff falls and tedious diversions.   It has become known as the Jurassic coast which sounds solid, but actually the cliffs are quite soft.   Some of the falls are dramatic and make the national news.   Of course, it is this crumbliness which keeps exposing the fossils for which the coast here is famous. Apparently, there are some biggies ahead of us as well.   We are led to wonder how long the SWCP will remain viable in East Devon and Dorset.   By the way ‘Jurassic Coast’ was unheard of when I lived in Sidmouth in the fifties.   Just a modern marketing term.

  Rest day   We decide to skip the two miles from Ferrybridge into Weymouth.   Instead, we decide to visit the Northe Fort.   But not before going into Boots Opticians where I get new glasses and sunglasses.   As creatures of habit, we get coffee at The Custom House. Then take the rowing boat ferry across the harbour.   I ask the ferryman if it gets to be hard work when the tide is running.   He says the wind is more of a problem.   He looks to be not much younger than me. I find the fort very interesting.   It was started by Henry the Eighth and has seen service and updating right up to the Second World War and beyond.   There are well presented displays about D Day and other matters military.   Weymouth was a major embarkation point for the Americans who went to Omaha beach.   How many of the young men in the photos were killed on the beach. We walked back to the Custom House and had crab sandwiches.   Spent th...

  Abbotsbury to Weymouth (Ferrybridge).   10.9 miles We get an early bus to Abbotsbury and have a coffee in a little deli and butcher which I spotted yesterday.   We get bacon rolls for lunch.   Surprisingly, it’s run by a South African couple. The walking is mostly easy, but the distance is at the outer limit of our ability.   We definitely would be struggling if there were cliffs to climb. Much of the walk follows the shore of the Fleet lagoon.   There are interesting birds, but of course I don’t have my binoculars.   Whilst taking a break overlooking the lagoon I manage to stand on my glasses.   Fortunately, I never do SWCP without a spare pair.   But still. As the evening approaches and we are cold and very tired, we are confronted with a ‘path closed’ sign.   From bitter experience we have learned to take these signs seriously, but we can’t face the detour which will add a mile.   Luckily a local woman tells us that it’s ...

  West Bexington to Abbotsbury.   3.7 miles It’s another taxi situation – hopefully the last of this trip.   We drive to Abbotsbury.   We are meeting our driver in the car park, but we avoid the charges by parking in the street. Our driver is Garry, an interesting man indeed.   He lives completely off grid in a horse box parked on an industrial estate in Bridport.   Originally from the Midlands, he went with his parents to South Africa as a child.   He came back as an adult and worked as a machine tool operator.   He then had a serious health problem, which is why he has ended up living in a Dorset horsebox driving taxis.   He seems perfectly happy.   The journey to West Bexington cost £25.00. It's another easy walk which takes in some Abbotsbury sightseeing.   We pay £27 each to visit the Swannery.   Apparently swans are normally solitary and territorial.   It’s unique for them to all come in a great huddle. ...

                                                      Burton Mere with the beach and sea beyond   West Bay to West Bexington.   5.6 miles Getting our car out of the Jubilee car park is an operation.   They are packed in like sardines and everyone has to leave their key at reception.   If you are blocked the receptionist plays Rubik Cube with the cars until you have a clear exit route.   Knowing we will have an early start, we ask to be put in pole position the night before and we are off to West Bexington where we park for £15.00.   Taxi to West Bay is £20.00.   We are missing John Sheaves.   Chris found our taxi in Bridport.   Driver is a cheerful lady from London who has recently moved to Bridport and is loving the life away from the smoke. She drops us outside the Cornish bake...

                                                                                    Rest Day (sort of)   Rest day We have a late breakfast and amble towards the harbour.   I buy a post card for Stuart. We have a coffee at the Customs House Café on the old harbour.   I have an urge to go to Portland, since we are planning to duck the walk round it.   We find a bus.   Portland is actually pretty grim.   Rows of 1 9th  Century housing mixed with pretty grim modern estates. It reminds me of Middlesbrough.   We go to the end of the bus route and stay on board to come back.   We do see some of the stone quarries, but apparently most of the stone is now mined underground using Italian cutters develop...