South West Coastal Path 2015 Day 44

Tuesday 7^th October 2015

I wanted an early start, but I was delayed as the B&B owner had to take his kids to school.  Away eventually around 8:45. The morning was mostly boring road walking, as I had to take the inland route to Kimmeridge diversion because the coastal path was closed for army activities (which it is most weekdays during the year).  At one point though, a huge army tank rattled down the road past me, in the opposite direction - there is no photo of this as I was not sure of the protocol surrounding documenting army activities.   

I made it to Kimmeridge Bay by noon, and then carried on toward Swanage.

Clavell Tower

The path became familiar, due to my visit here the year before, and I took few photos of that repeated section.  

I arrived at Swanage at 4.  I had intended to do the last short leg to South Haven Point tomorrow but had momentum and decided to push on.

It was with very tired legs that I arrived at the end of the SWCP at 6 p.m. to a crowd of well-wishers and champagne.  Hrmmm… maybe the crowd and the champagne were in my imagination.  To be honest, it was a pretty anti-climactic finish; the terrain was familiar, the metal sculpture heralding the end of the walk I had seen before, and there was no one around.

I caught the bus back to Swanage station where the B&B owner picked me up.  I had a deserving hot bath that night.

Prologue

I had booked 2 nights in Swanage, expecting to be finishing the SWCP today.  I had thought I might spend today heading up to Corfe, and soaking in the castle again, like last year, but I felt drained and my muscles had no energy, so I just sat in various locations around Swanage reading.  I had a quick look at the steam train that could have taken me to Corfe.

I had fish ‘n’ chips for dinner, but they did not sit well in my stomach.  It was a nice rest day, and I had finished my longest LDW yet, but I had not finished yet.  Tomorrow I was heading to the north of England to walk Lady Anne’s Way.  Little did I know that this year all the walking I did was to become the much of most enjoyable I have done.