LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

South West Coastal Path No. 67              Total: 548.5 miles

Time Taken:     Cycle:     Distance:   Enjoyment:    Weather:  
   3 hours              n/a            5 miles          95%        Sunny & Chilly

 Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:  
  13oC        20%         0%        Good           Excellent Underfoot
Companion: Ann

General:
Waited for 10:57 X53 bus in Charmouth for Seaton but unfortunately 
it didn't arrive until 11:20. The bus was full and stopped ay every stop. 
This meant that we just missed our connection, Bus 899 from Seaton 
to Branscombe. We had an coffee while we waited an hour for the 
next bus. It eventually arrived at 13:15 for the start of the walk. 
Walked down Mill Lane to good path to Branscombe Mouth in perfect 
walking weather, with excellent views of the hill all around. From 
mouth of stream we walked up East Cliff as far as track into Sea 
Shanty Holiday Park. Walked through park following signs. Ann 
spotted her first caterpillar of the season crawling along the path. 
Difficult walking through shrub land, path underlating and twisting, 
sometimes low almost at beach level to finally emerging on beer head 
fields above Hooken Cliffs. 

Met John Higgs on top of Hooken Cliffs. He asked us which way we 
recommended into Branscombe. We suggested the cliff top route as a 
couple had suggested to us earlier. Discussed walking with John as 
length. He is a prolific walker, having walked from Lands End to John 
of Groates each way twice, with a different route each time. He has 
also walked all the major ways in Britain, especially the upland ways. 
I take my hat off to him.

Good walking from this point over the cliff tops to Beer West Ebb. 
Steep descent down Common Lane to Fore Street, the heart of this 
town, with access to the beach.Without delay we steadily ascended 
East Egg to summit of White Cliff. As we descended into Seaton I 
spoke to a lady who recommended we took the alternative route of 
the coastal path along the beach to Seaton as the cliff top route has 
been closed to erosion. We decided to take her advice and take 
Gordon's Way steeply down the twisty steps to the pebble beach. 
Very hard going along the steep sided beach, under the sandstone 
cliffs to Seaton promenade, West Walk, with its traditional beech 
huts. Arrived at bus stop at roundabout of western end of esplanade
to discover we had just missed bus X53, due to leave at 16:10. The 
next and only services was the 18:10, so we walked to Tesco to 
coffee and shopping. Bus arrived on time and travelled to 
Charmouth on schedule. Another full's day adventure with Ann in 
the sunshine. Happy Days.