Day 53 Fortuneswell to Weymouth; Contrasting; Cloudy; Carvings; Changeable; Contours;

Updated: Aug 1, 2022

A cloudy day of interesting but contrasting landscape and towns as we followed the contours around Portland island, then back across Chesil beach hugging the bay round to Weymouth.

Descending, slightly, we rejoined the path to spectacular views of Chesil beach tombolo alongside the exposed limestone cliff strata. Wending our way round the cliff path through Tout quarry we saw examples of abandoned carved blocks along side recently carved artwork; clouds making walking easier.

Emerging to grassy moorland we followed the coastal contour down to Portland bill passing blazered school children (clearly underwhelmed by their unusual route) before mistaking the old higher lighthouse for the iconic one! Coffee and cake consumed, we turned to face the cloudy muted view of Weymouth and the coastal path end!

Clambering our way through the weares we passed various adventurers dropping down to Church Ope cove only to climb steep steps to follow the Victorian disused railroad down again. After another steep climb, the uglier side of Portland, the prison and working quarries lead to the working marina at Osprey quay via the disused mariners incline; who knew you could have a multi-storey boat park! Stopping for refreshments at Portland castle, buzzed by a military helicopter we followed the path back down chisel beach on the nicer Weymouth side crossing ferry bridge again.

Another cycle path and foundered cliff road diversion popped us out a couple of miles later at quaint old Weymouth fishing harbour. Tracing the harbour we rounded the corner to the wide Victorian sandy Weymouth beach front promenade. In need of an early night, to “gird our loins” ready for the “home straight” and the “finish line”, we ate an early dinner thankfully avoiding a brief shower, before retiring to hotel.

Official SW Coast path: 13miles

Official running total: 586miles