Day One – Friday

Equipment and getting dressed
I felt like a Christmas tree as my Dad used to say when we were at speedway matches and some one had all new gear but could not ride. So feeling very conscious, and like a kid with my new uniform just going off to school I plucked up courage and went to the car to prepare. I have to say this, the help I received from Holly at The Outdoor Guide  has been invaluable! Particular the rucksack, getting that right with the strap that goes round your hips and the chest fastener, wow! It was great relief to me with back problems.

Boots that went above my ankle for support was key especially as you traverse across a hill, you feel more stable. Good socks are a must and next time I would have a spare pair in my bag, I know from my work that half way through a shift, what a difference just changing your socks can make!

Holly was right when she told me to buy the Water hydration-thingy. However I didn’t use mine as it needed washing in a mild detergent which I should have read the instructions before leaving home! The tip I liked was when finished using it empty the water bag of all water, then roll it up put a rubber band round it and put in in the freezer until its next use. Defrost slowly though, or it might crack!

I didn’t quite grasp what Holly meant at first of the importance of layering your clothes with breathable fabric, but boy does it make a difference to your comfort! The waterproof jacket I brought had zips under the arms and that came in handy!

First day there was a bit of a drizzle so on goes the waterproof. Walking down the hill from the hotel towards the beach there is a carpark, a stone throw away from the beach where there is a honesty box to pay for your parking.

I asked a chap which way to go so the choice was to walk the 1/2 mile to Westbay or to go up over the hill towards Seatown to a lovely pub called The Anchor. He said there are two hills but at the top of the second is a bench to rest.

The first hill was fine, bit of an incline, but the views when I turned round to rest on my crook of towards West Bay and beyond was spectacular.

Along the ridge the amount of bees buzzing around was magical and to see buttercups that I have not seen in years, was like going back in time. Mind you, I had to have a word with a couple of the bees as they were taking a rest on the footpath.

So armed with my crook I encouraged them to stick to the long grass so they would not be stood on.

Looking into the distance was the second hill. “Cool” doesn’t look too bad so climbing the next style I decide to walk on forward or walk to my right and go towards the Down House Farm cafe , that was my mistake …

The hill towards Thorncombe Beacon was a lot lot higher than I had thought but onwards and upwards, but I had to keep looking down because if I looked upwards I would have been tempted to I’ve give up. Leaning on my crook which I have to say was a very good choice for me as I find when you have a crook you can lean on it too rest or when talking to people and that I did a lot today, how nice and friendly are walkers sharing tips of where to go and what to do in fact I will now always carry a pen and pad for all the tips, its been a fabulous start to my walking days.

Going back to that Big hill … I was taking a break pretending, if I am honest, to take in the view when in fact I was taking in deep breaths, and was thinking to myself this was a bit daft for my first walk, when I noticed to my right that if I had taken the path towards the farm cafe I would have walked on the ridge and wow would that have been easier, when a voice behind me said exactly what I was thinking.

What a lovely couple. We got talking while a got a rest leaning on my crook, then we carried on together to the top of the hill with a number of stops on the way. I do apologise I have forgotten the couples name who live in Bristol and tour round in their motorhome most weekends, they were so interesting and had lots of local knowledge. Thank you. They took a photograph of me at Thorncombe Beacon I felt so proud.

Well the rest of the walk to Seatown was a gentle-ish decent down towards the carpark, where there was the most beautiful tree in the garden of a house near the pub.

Carpark, This is where you can park to start your walk to The Golden Cap also there was a sign that if you spent £20 at the Pub your car parking fee was refunded.

The Anchor – what a lovely pub and what clean toilets (that means a lot to to me as it gives me confidence about the kitchen!) When I asked did they do Guinness ‘yes would you like a pint’ I thought why not, never in my life have I had a pint, but nether had I ever walked as far!

So leaving The Anchor with the sea behind me I headed towards the the Golden Cap caravan park where just to the right is a bridlepath that takes you towards Chideock. I was walking through the wooded bridlepath and I turned round to look at something and nearly jumped out of my skin, as my rucksack was high on my back I thought some one was there! It was lovely to see kerb side produce, homemade fudge, eggs, jam with honesty boxes at the side.

Time to catch a bus back to West Bay.

Just half a mile walk from West Bay up the hill back on the coastal path to Eype, (you walk past the house that was used for Broadchurch and Charlottes Rampling House) funny really as I on my way back over the cliff path I came across a sign for the Cow Shed cafe that was in the middle of Highlands End holiday park that you can walk through to where the cafe is and a little shop, I deserved a coffee and needed the toilet, so on I went…