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LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOODDerek Harwood's Walking Records If you have any queries about the pictures or discriptions please e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com | |||||
SOUTH WEST COASTAL PATH SWANAGE to SOUTH HAVEN POINT 20th August 2014 ............................................Walk No. 1065 |
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South West Coastal Path No. 81 Total: 649 miles Time Taken: Distance: Enjoyment: Weather: 5hrs 7 miles 95% Sunshine, no Rain Nature: Cows and Jellyfish Temp: Cloud: Rain: Visibility: Ground Conditions: 17oC 0% 0% Very Good Very Dry Companions: Derek, Ann, friends, Matt, Clare, William, Philip, Tracey, and Thomas Points of Interest: Swanage Old Harry Rock South Haven Point Cliff Top Whitecliff Ballard Cliff Studland Middle Beach Fort HenryGeneral:
All the family gathered together to join me on the last day to walk the SWCP.
Tom put his trousers on back to front and left them on as he had already put his boots on.
We started from the Cauldron Barn Caravan Park and walked down to the shore road.
Good to see the sea again. We continued along the beach road to fork where Ulwell Road
left the beach and climbed slowly uphill. From Ulwell Road we all turned sharp right along
Ballard Way to Ballard Lee where we walked down the alleyway to the top of the low cliff
above the beach. Across the private rough land to descent the steps to a small bridge over
a small stream. Slow and constant trudge upto Ballard Cliff with excellent views south of
Swanage and Peveril Point. Keith and Ann had to moove the cows and bull off the path.
We rounded Ballard Point with good views in the sunshine of the Isle of Wight and out first
glimpse of Old Harry Rock. This spurred us on to get a closer view and a better photograph.
Easy walking on Old Nicks Ground past the pinnacles to the foreland or handfast point.
Here we stopped for photos and a breather. As we walked towards Studland Phil
realised he had lost his old faithful fleece. He immediately traced his steps and came back
with a smile. Careful sign watching to ensure the correct path is taken through the village
of Studland, passing public toilet, the Norman church, the public house Bankes Arms and
Fort Henry Fort. As we approached Middle Beachwe decided to have lunch, so we settled
down at a BBQ site. Using the conveniently placed and shaped rocks we all enjoy the
refreshments and rest. After lunch we walked onto the crowded beach, full of holiday
makers enjoying the sun and sand, Slow but steady progress along the beach with all of
us choosing to walk just above the waterline on the hard wet sand along Studland Bay.
Good views back to Old Harry and across Poole Bay to the Isle of Wight. As we
negotiated the newly built sandcastle and jelly fish we passed Studland Heath a nudist
beach. We tried to keep looking straight ahead but it was difficult. The biggest surprise
was when we passed the refreshment hut calledThe Lunch Box, obvious really. As we
rounded the point to Shell Bay we decided to stop and chill while Tom had a play in the
sand. Onward to conquer the last path of the last section, with me leaping the way and
Tom pushing me to make sure I reached the official Start/Finish waymark at South
Haven Point. White Tom push and pulled me along the soft sand, my walking stick broke
and Phil eventually reassembled it. Lots of congratulation photosand cheers by the
waymarker as the ferry queue slowly passed by. Short walk down to the National Trust
Car Park for the journey to Crows Nest public house in Swanage where the celebrations
continues. A magic day was had by all, never to be forgotten.
Photos taken 20th August 2014.
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