Tag Archives: travel

75. Chapman’s Pool to Tyneham

Across crumbling clifs, above wild beaches and deserted coves, the path roller-coasters along.. and is graded as challenging. Am I up to it?

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74. Durlston Head to Chapman’s Pool

For some reason, I am feeling anxious about the walk today. I am unfit. Everyone has told me how rugged and difficult this section of the South West Coast Path is. Will I survive? Continue reading

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73. Swanage to Durlston Head

The wooded path leading to Durlston Head is endearingly called “Isle of Wight Road”. It is Sunday and, although still January, there are lots of people walking here today. I wonder if the rest of the South West Coastal Path will be as busy as this.

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71. Bournemouth to Sandbanks

Dark clouds are lit from below – a dirty orange colour, their undersides outlined with yellow and gold. Clear sky, of deep blue – almost indigo. The sea is covered with swatches of gold and silver on a backdrop of deep blue-green, speckled with white foam Continue reading

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70. Christchurch to Bournemouth

Autumnal colours glow warmly in the sunshine – contrasting with bright blue sea below and jolly colours of beach huts. I feel almost overwhelmed with beauty and stop constantly to take photographs. It turns out to be one of the hottest September days in England, ever.
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69 (part 2). Hurst Castle to Christchurch

I see a Kestrel and eat a cream tea. Checking my map, I realise I have crossed over into Dorset. I am making progress!
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69 (part 1). Keyhaven to Hurst Castle

The small ferry-boat is well guarded by a fierce little black labrador – with a very waggy tail.

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68. Bucklers Hard, Lymington to Keyhaven

I can’t get close to the sea in the New Forest. Ignoring ‘beware the bull’ signs, I walk through woods and hear things falling from the trees. I realise it is horse chestnuts (conkers) falling around me.
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67. Calshot to Beaulieu to Bucklers Hard

Sometimes during my walks – not often, but sometimes – I wonder why on earth I am doing this. What posessed me to start walking? And why have I continued? Continue reading

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66. Hythe, Fawley to Calshot

I’m not looking forward to the walk today. At Fawley, the map shows a huge oil refinery and then a power station. I am particularly dreading walking along the A326. But I am pleasantly surprised …. Continue reading

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