17/10/2021 - Lulworth Cove to Kimmeridge (7.63mls)

This was a leg of the SWCP that we were unable to do in 2020 when we staying in Lulworth because the army range roads and paths were closed to visitors as manoeuvres were taking place. The days when the SWCP is accessible can be found here ... https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lulworth-firing-notice

Again the day started with a non walking activity for Justine. This time it was a swim as Chideock is less than 1 mile from the coast at Seatown. This added another bit of information to the mackerel comment of yesterday in that as the waves thundered on to the beach thousands of whitebait were deposited on the beach in a line just like seaweed.

And then it was an hour's drive to Lulworth Cove where fortunately the tide was OK to start the walk via the east end of the cove followed by a climb up to Pepler's Point. The other high tide SWCP route involves walking up the road out of Lulworth and then walking down 300 steps to reach Pepler's Point! This is the largest number of continuous steps on the whole of the SWCP. The views from the top are superb ...

As one might expect the path was very well marked through the army range, in most places being clearly visible between yellow posts. The climb up from Mupe Bay was very steep and also a bit a further along down to and top from Arish Meil Beach.

All day there were paragliders hovering above the range causing us to speculate whether they were friend of foe! The views along the coast from Worbarrow Bay were worth all the steps up and down ...

From the headland approaching Kimmeridge there was an interesting rock shelf formation very similar to that which we saw further along the coast last year at the Dancing Ledge ...

Fiona was waiting for us at Kimmeridge Beach car park. She had to pay to collect us this time although she negotiated a half price £3 fee - last time when she dropped us off she was allowed down for free! I suppose everyone is now wanting to make as much as possible while they can! - can't blame them.

During the day Fiona had noticed signs for the long abandoned village of Tyneham in the middle of the army range and on visiting was very impressed with restorations that have been made. The inhabitants in the area were given 48hrs just before Christmas 1943 to leave so that the area could be used by the military for target practice. On the way back from Kimmeridge we all went to visit - very interesting, especially the subsequent history of the various families that lived there at the time - well worth a visit.