LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

South West Coastal Path No. 68             Total: 560miles

Time Taken:     Cycle:     Distance:   Enjoyment:    Weather:  
  7.5 hours            n/a          11.5 miles          95%        Sunny, 
Nature: Birds						 	   Little Breeze

 Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:  
  14oC          0%         0%        Good          Excellent Underfoot

General:
Caught Bus X53 from Charmouth (8:57 which was 8 minutes early) 
to Seaton (arrived 9:37am). Started walking immediately from 
Marine Place along the esplanade to Harbour Road. Excellent 
views of Beer Head to west and Haven Cliff to east. Crossed 
Harbour Bridge with more good views of harbour to south and 
River Axe estuary to north. Turned right soon after bridge at Axe 
Cliff golf club up very steep Squire's Lane. Lots of cars passed 
close as I puffed up the lane, all going to enjoy the golf facilities 
in the sunny weather. Interesting and bright mural on side of golf 
club building alongside lane. Signs at entrance to fairways asking 
walkers to be alert to flying golf balls and stay between the 
corridor of stone fossils laid in the grass. Steady progress up hill 
to bridleway, with increasingly better views across Seaton Bay 
to Beer Head. Make the most of these views, only glimpses of 
scenery ahead until Lyme Regis is reached. Soon reached a finger 
post along lane where coastal path turned right and sign 
explained that there isn't any access until Lyme Regis, which is 
3½ to 4 hours difficult and arduous walking. Soon reached the 
scrub land after a couple of fields, with the difficult walking 
predicted. Constantly changing direction and ascending or 
descending. Occasional glimpse of cliffs or coastline, with virtually 
no photo opportunities. Be aware of coastal erosion signs, path 
has a very small chance of subsidence at any one time. At 
Underhill Farm I noticed a couple of standing stones, no idea if 
they were stood recently or not. Two possible paths from Ware 
Cliffs sign. I took the difficult path but the easier coast side path 
is recommended because the paths meet after approximately ½ mile. 
Steep ascent to 'The Cobb', a very busy area with some elderly 
people playing bowls in the sunshine, A large marina of yachts and a 
large sandy beach. I wondered if the sand had been imported 
because most of the Lyme Regis beaches are of stones, the same as 
the majority of the surrounding area, and especially the nearby Chesil 
Beach. Walked along Marine Parade to Clock Square, with excellent 
views across the bay to the forthcoming cliffs to be conquered as 
soon as possible. Bought an ice cream by the clock tower and sat 
down to enjoy and consider if I was fit enough to continue. It didn't 
take long for me to decide to continue to Charmouth so I wouldn't 
have to worry about bus times. Because of the path diversion due 
to recent subsidence, I started walking up church Street and noticed 
the information centre so I had to call in for some bus timetables. 
Continued up Church Street after a short delay, leading to Charmouth 
Road. As the road narrowed I turned right through a kissing gate 
just after Lyme Regis football ground. Steady climb up three fields 
to a bluebell wood. Unfortunately only a very few bluebells were out, 
but the plants were wall to wall, so the next few weeks in the woods 
are going to be glorious. From the wood the path climbed further up 
Timber Hill Road to Charmouth Road again (A3052). After a couple of 
hundred metres the path turned right to cross another golf course. 
More 'hazard' signs to beware of flying golf balls, but this time the 
walker is asked to follow the white stone block and the white marked 
trees, to a coppice on Fern Hill. Steady descent through the coniferous 
trees to Charmouth Road yet again. Short walk down to island on A35 
where the footpath is followed onto the Axminster Road into Charmouth. 
Turned right at Charmouth House to Higher Sea Lane. As the lane 
turned right take the footpath ahead to the sea at Lower Sea Lane. 
I stopped for a while to admire the wonderful scenery and take a closer 
look to a right turn to River Way, which led to a passageway to Bridge 
Road, the entrance to the Seadown Holiday Park, the end of the walk. 
A long and varied walk in the sunshine.
Another good day on the South West Coastal Path.