LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

South West Coastal Path No. 73             Total: 604 miles

Time Taken:     Cycle:     Distance:   Enjoyment:    Weather:  
4.5 hours           n/a            8 miles           85%    Fine and Sunny
Nature: Wild flowers, Skylarks, Iris

 Temp:     Cloud:     Rain:    Visibility:    Ground Conditions:  
   20oC       2%        0%        Good           Very Good Underfoot

General:
Caught buses Nos 4 & 8 from Osmington caravan site to Chickerell 
via King's statue in centre of Weymouth. Alighted bus No 8 on 
B3157 Chickerell Road near East Street. Discovered a 3 metre high 
metal fox type creature standing in garden of house on main road 
near East Fleet Lane. No footpath, so cautiously proceeded to and 
down East Fleet Lane, past the Lodge, to East Fleet cottages, on 
Butter Street. Good view of cottages and surrounding fir trees in 
the sunshine. Just past the cottages we were surprised to find a 
small lone church, which we visited with delight. Over the small 
stream bridge to Butterstreet Cove, part of East Fleet tidal waters. 
We stopped for lunch and sat on a couple of large stones on the 
shore of the lake, by East Fleet caravan and camping site. To our 
surprise four canoes appeared on the horizon and headed our way. 
Amazingly they beached right by us and handled their canoes onto 
the roof of a Landrover over the other side of the hedge from us. 
 to Chickerell Hive Point where a young family was enjoying the 
sunshine by the old battered landing stage and some rowing boats 
used to cross The Fleet to Chesil Beach. Probably for fishing, but 
who knows? Around the bay from the Point to the rifle range, where, 
luckily the coastal path was open and the range closed as it was a 
Sunday. There was no flag flying at the kissing gate by the decrepit 
lookout century box. This section of the walk around the firing range 
peninsular was the muddiest of the walk. So, beware if you are 
walking this section of the coastal path during a wet period. Ann 
spotted an unusual spider's web in the hedge, or was it a silk jacket 
to protect an unborn moth or butterfly? Have a look at the photo and 
you decide. At Tidmoor Point another old landing stage in very poor 
condition had seen much better days. Around Tidmoor Cove, where 
it is wise to stick to the well trodden path because it was very wet in 
the area, due to the local stream. As we rounded Lynch Cove the 
human activity increased significantly, mainly due to the dog walkers 
from the Littlesea Holiday Park. Over the low cliff after the holiday 
park to a high security fence on the south-east side of the depot 
which we later discovered were owned by dog walkers, probably 
from Wyke Regis area of Weymouth. At this point the distance 
between the mainland and Chesil Beach is the shortest, resulting in
a strong current between tides. This is probably the reason for the 
strange old wire constructions in the water, possibly for fish farming 
so the tides could help feed the fish and reduce fish diseases. 
Around the bay and slopes by Martleaves Farm, Ann got lost in the 
tall reeds, well nearly, among the lovely yellow iris plants, the banks 
of beautiful meadow flowers and horses. We saw cart horses and a 
Shetland pony. The last leg of Fleet Water, was to pass Chesil Beach 
Holiday Village, where many residents were enjoying the sunshine 
on their verandas. When we reached 'The Ferry Bridge' public house 
we could not resist refreshments, Ann settled down in the family 
area and I continued the level walk alongside Chesil Beach to Victoria
Square in Chiswell, passing a beautiful huge area of pink clover on 
the eastern side of Chesil Beach. Good views of Portland West Cliff 
as Chiswell is approached, the perfect advertisement for the next 
section of the South West Coastal Path. A perfect end to a good day's
walking in the sunshine, I returned to Ann in 'The Ferry Bridge' public
house with the help of bus No 1.