Peering from the hostel, a red flag was seen fluttering, signifying tank firing scheduled on Lulworth ranges. However on checkout, it transpired the flag isn’t always removed, plus they may not be firing; checking the gates was the only way to be sure. Of course after 600+ miles I had to scramble around pebbly Lulworth cove beach, climb up the hill, brave the nettles and brambles to check!
Plan B had us breakfasting in Corfe Castle after the car shuffle, before walking a recommended alternative to rejoin the path after the ranges at Kimmeridge bay. A lovely ramble across a common, up through a patchwork of pastures, limboing through woods brought us out along a ridge. With the sea on the left, for a change, panoramic views of the Jurassic coast and back inland to Corfe Castle accompanied us; chatting, playing party games with the family the miles slipped by. Coffee in hand I nipped down to black rocky Kimmeridge bay for a brief fossil hunt before our afternoon back on the path.
Another roller coaster, along cliff top narrow parched, vertigo inducing, cracked paths ensued; compensation great picturesque views. We went down vertical steep stone steps, the worst so far before getting lost across inland, sheep pastures circling Chapman’s Pool. Donning waterproofs briefly, trudging up and down more steep steps we rounded the headland, passing Purbek radar memorial, to reach Winspit disused quarry.
Tiredly we left the path heading up (it’s always up) a track to Worth Matravers and the planned BBQ at the shepherd’s huts we’d booked. Except we weren’t the only family with the same idea!
Double booking had us in the local pub garden enjoying the view, waiting for plan B, whilst a lift was procured to aid car retrieval, for a third plan B as the necessary car keys remained in the wrong car!
Driving to a hastily prepared holiday cottage we dumped our backpacks and headed to Kingston for a belated meal in another pub garden with a panoramic view before they stopped serving!
With not enough signal or wifi my final Plan B is to complete this entry at home next week! Apologies.
We have made plans to walk the Lullworth ranges on Sunday 3 July when I am reliably informed they are not firing tanks! Please see Addendum entry.
Official SW Coast path: 15miles
Official running total: 615miles
Lullworth Range; Lullworth cove Checking the locks; extra early morning 2 mile dash up the cliff face and nettley bramble ridden path!
Corfe castle to Kimmeridge bay.
SW coast path from Kimmeridge bay to Worth Matravers.
If you would like support our walk for Alzheimer’s the two charity just giving pages are
And
You can also find me on instagram; search for paulas.mad.adventures
Thank you
Paula
PS We stayed at Purbeck Shepherds Huts & Holiday Cottage Worth Mattravers on 25 June; www.purbeckshepherdhuts.com
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