Day 52 Abbotsbury to Fortuneswell; Timeless; Taciturn; Tricky stiles; Tiring; Terribly cold sea!

Updated: Aug 1, 2022

A tranquil, calm, timelessness looking out across the ancient landscape; leaving Abbotsbury, nothing appears to have changed since the monks established the Swanery in 1040. A pleasant surprise to walk through fields, a patchwork of pastures, (not so nice crossing multiple tricky stiles) to meet the Fleet lagoon detouring the section cordoned off for the extensive variety of wild life; 150 types of algae and underwater grasses! No swimming or boating is allowed, unless for conservation or scientific research purposes.

We skirted the 8mile long lagoon, with cereal crops, meadows, holiday parks, hotels, firing ranges accompanying us to our left, and unique deserted, almost alien views to our right; truly an unusual beautiful place. Eventually, tired and hot, we found a shady, grassy bank for a snack and much needed drink. Overgrown paths meant, performing the pack seizing nettle dodging waltz all day!

Rounding the corner we finally saw Portland in the distance. After crossing the lagoon entrance at Ferrybridge, we opted to stay on the noisy tarmac road too tired for a pebbly trudge again on Chesil beach!

Joy as we emerged along the promenade at Fortuneswell to a picturesque end to Chesil beach with stunning views of the cliff strata, dotted with off grid cabins and the sparking inviting sea. After debating over a drink at a cafe we choose to swim; a very brisk, quick, invigorating, extremely cold dip! Later we returned to the beach for dinner outside at the pub over looking the bay, and a crowded beach, enjoying a beautiful evening, watching paddle boarders. A brazen seagull scarily stole the fish from the diner’s plate at the next table! Excited about these strange sea creatures, with fins and weird wave patterns; were they basking sharks, seals? No, just human divers!

Official SW Coast path: 11miles

Official running total: 573miles