Thursday 23rd - Monday 27th March 2017
On Friday it was more coastal path walking, but initially we weren't overly impressed - I think Tintagel and Boscastle had spoiled us a bit! However perseverance certainly paid off and in the end we were treated to more fantastic seascapes and views of craggy cliffs as we went. We left the campsite and initially found ourselves slipping and sliding along a muddy track which led us out towards the sea, and then took us along the coast line but very high up on the hills. But, eventually we managed to wend our way down to the cliff top path, and from there our walk improved immensely.
Apparently, the part of the coastal path that we were traversing is called 'The Priest's Way' - an ancient route used by the local priest to walk between his churches and one that now passes through National Trust Land. This area also has a very long history in relation to quarrying - we later learnt that the white limestone from here has been exploited since Roman times for the construction of cathedrals and other monumental buildings.
Eventually the path led us to 'Dancing Ledge' which turned out to be a very convenient stopping off place for our lunch - it lies about 3 miles along the coast from Swanage and on the other side, about a mile from Seacombe. To get to this very picturesque spot we had to scramble down an ancient staircase that led us onto a large rock platform like area which is fronted by the actual 'ledge' and backed by old Quarrs (shafts) dug into and under the rock-face - however the entries to these are all closed off now!
Eventually, after we'd spent a considerable time soaking up the ambience of the area we decided to get moving again, but we didn't go much further before starting to retrace out steps which allowed us to admire the views in the opposite direction. And it was on this leg of our journey that we came across an actual old Quarr shaft that had been renovated. We learnt that the stone was cut and loaded into a Quarr cart underground, and then winched to the surface using donkey power!
Then finally, the path led us back into Swanage and we finished our 10 mile walk via a local shop where we picked up some light refreshments to sip back in the comfort of T4rdis2.
But having said all that there were also some very attractive bits to our ride - like the views of Corfe Castle sitting elevated above the town, and also the magnificent Povington Hill from where we almost had 360 degree views of the Purbeck Hills, and coast. And this was the spot that we picked to have our lunch, but we couldn't stay for long because the gusting wind was trying very hard to tear the filling our of our sandwiches!
From there we continued on our way towards Old Harry's Rocks and we were once again rewarded with magnificent views, this time of white chalky cliffs, 'stacks' and arches formed by the action of the waves. And once again we 'suffered' a very windy lunch, but we weren't complaining - it's not everyday you can find a dining room that is quite so exhilarating.
After the rocks the coastal path took us back towards and through Swanage and on to Durlston Castle, and then our circuit was completed by passing through Durlston Country Park before we returned home for a lovely tea that we'd acquired from the farm shop in the New Forest a few days ago - faggots mash and mushy peas - it was delicious!
And on Monday we decided to have a 'day off' to sit and enjoy the lovely sunshine. Having said that our morning was occupied by scrubbing the van both inside and out and doing a ton of washing - oh it's a hard life!!
Tomorrow will be another moving day - this time to a site near Chichester, so from here it's Goodbye from us for now 👋👋👋👋
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