A beautiful day for a walk. March is off to a good start at least, after the last couple of days of wintery showers, it’s now more like summer. But of a nip to the breeze, but lovely out of it.
After a peaceful night of wildcamping on the outskirts of town, we had breakfast on the seafront in Swanage. Finding a bit of roadside parking to leave the van, we headed up over the ridge of Ballard Down, to be rewarded with fine views of Swanage in one direction, and Poole and Bournemouth in the other. Great visibility too, could make out Cranborne Chase, a good 30 miles distant.
Across farmland and onto Godlingston Heath, which reminded my much of the Chobham Common of my youth, then along the foreshore to St Haven Point, where the ferry crosses to Poole, and the start (or end) of the South West Coast Path.
630 miles to Minehead. A little more than we planned on for today, 12 seems more fitting. The beach at Studland is lovely golden sand, no wonder people like to get their kit off. I did fancy a Reggie Perrin style dip in the sea (not one way though) but that nip in the air was a little off putting.
Time for a nice cup of tea now.
