19. Lulworth Cove to Weymouth

I parked my car at Ferrybridge, close to the road that leads out towards Portland. I am using my moped  again and drive the little two-wheeler back through Weymouth and along the coast road to Lulworth. Its free to park the bike and I leave it chained up in the corner of the car park – I’ll be back for it later.

Today was a sunny and dry day, except that it was very, very windy which was onshore. I set off on the really well made path that runs along the chalk cliffs towards Durdle Door. I pass over Hambury Tout and join the roller-coaster up and down of the SWCP along the chalk cliff tops. I drop down and pass the small arch that is Durdle Door and continue over Swyre Head and down to Middle Bottom. At White Nothe I descend from the chalk cliffs which begin to disappear under more recent strata. I pass the old Coastguard cottages  and continue past Burning Cliff, no longer burning thankfully. I can see Weymouth quite easily now.

At Osmington Mills I stop for a pint at the quaint thatched roof in called the Smugglers Arms, one of many such named in the area. Soon after the path joins the A353 and I begin to walk along the long sweeping seawall, that leads right into Weymouth. Weymouth is very busy and is somewhat sheltered from the ferocious wind that I had been expereiencing on the higher downs. I decide to get some fish and chips, which were not bad, but I’ve tasted better. I continue past the ferry terminal and cross over the harbour bridge. I walk around Nothe Point and the Fort. Passing the Bincleaves Groyne I continue along suburban streets until I emerge at Ferry Bridge.

Heading towards Hambury Tout on the well made path

Looking back at Lulworth Cove

Weymouth in the far distance

Durdle Door

Looking back

Time for a pint at The Smugglers Inn

Landslip near Osmington

Heading into Weymouth

Weymouth

Channel Islands Ferry berthed in Weymouth

Distance today = 14 miles
Total distance =   296 miles

 

18. Kimmeridge to Lulworth Cove

This was just a single days walk that I completed with my brother Michael. I had occasionally climbed a number of mountains in England, Scotland and Wales with Mick, but that was a few years ago and he had not done a great deal of walking since. Still, this was a short days walk, but with a number of up and downs. This was also the first time I tested out my Fiat Doblo / Moped combination.

I opted to drop Mick off close to Kimmeridge and then to drive to Lulworth Cove. I then unloaded the moped which I had carried inside of the Doblo and made my way back to Kimmeridge on the moped.  I parked up and we set off down to the coastal path. It was fairly overcast, but warm and muggy.

After passing the small oil well with its “Nodding Donkey” we were faced with the steep climb up to Tyneham Cap, where we continued along Gad Cliff. However, we were soon descending down to the deserted village of Tyneham. Tyneham was handed over to the Ministry of Defence in 1943, during the Second World War. The population were moved out and a considerable part of the Purbeck Hills was taken over as a firing range. The Range is still used today and is predominantly a tank firing range. The village and whole area is closed when firing occurs. We spent some time going through the village. It was quite amazing and sad reading all the info boards which set out who lived at what particular house, using photographs of most of the village people.

We rejoined the coastal path at Worbarrow and continued onto the firing range. We passed large target vehicles which had been destroyed by the shell fire. We descended from Rings Hill and immediately climbed Bindon Hill. The walking was very steep and Mick was suffering with the steep ascents. Eventually we reached Lulworth Cove, just as it started to rain.

We then drove back to Kimmeridge to pick up the moped.

Looking back to Clavell’s Tower at Kimmeridge Bay

“Nodding Donkey” at Kimmeridge Oil Well

The Post Office at Tyneham

The School House at Tyneham

Worbarrow Bay

Looking across Rings Hill on the Firing Range

Rails for carrying heavyweight targets

Looking across the range at targets

Heading towards Bindon Hill

Lulworth Cove

Distance today = 7 miles
Total distance =   282 miles