24/9/2020 - Kimmeridge to Worth Matravers (8.86mls)

After a mid morning ZOOM class we set off for Kimmeridge Bay to walk to Worth Matravers where we started walking the previous day. There is a toll road from Kimmeridge down to the coast which costs £5 including parking for the day but as Fiona was just dropping us off we were allowed down for free.

The weather was extremely windy and, soon after starting, very wet which gave Justine a chance to give her new RAB Downpour Plus jacket a good test. Fortunately it was an onshore wind as the path was quite slippery and also, with the clay like mud making our boots like heavy snow shoes, progress was tricky.

It was quite a climb up to Hans-tout Cliff but the view from the top along the coast as far as Portland Bill was worth it...

Having climbed down the 183 steps to Hill Bottom and then back up on to the headland the scale off Hans-tout Cliff was clear to see ...

Having climbed up West Hill we soon reached the Royal Marines Memorial, a poignant moment for Justine as her dad served in the Royal Marines and took part in many of the campaigns mentioned on the memorial. The weather was kind here as the rain stopped and there was a glimmer of sunshine, particularly on the horizon.

Shortly afterwards was the killer drop of 185 steps down before the 218 steps up to St Aldhelm's Head where at the top is a 12th century chapel (closed because of Covid-19 !!) and a memorial to the development of Radar - Worth Matravers was the centre of the development of radar during WW2.

Arriving in sunshine now at the headland above Winspit Quarry we saw the welcoming figure of Fiona in the Quarry having walked down from Worth Matravers to meet us. She had been tasked with getting 4 pasties from the Square and Compass pub in Worth Matravers as they had been particularly recommended by our neighbour Sara. But covid-19 had struck again and the pub was only open for serving food and drink through a hatch to the damp outside - the pasties were probably bought in as they were very disappointing.

A challenging day but a very satisfying 8.86 miles at an average speed of 2.7mph.