Author: Sarah

Saturday

On Saturday, Wendy, Alix and Sarah walked south from the Woodyhyde campsite along muddy lanes, thick with blossom and spring flowers, to the coast at Chapman’s Pool. There, in the sun, they turned east along the coastal path, went around St Aldheim’s head, down the approximately 200 steps at Winspit and back up again, past Seacombe and on to Dancing Ledge, where they could see climbers. Here they turned north to pick up the Priest’s Way just by Spyway barn. They walked west to Worth Matravers, where, at the Square and Compass, they enjoyed delicious vegan beetroot cake, and (for the lactose tolerant) Dorset honeycomb ice cream. Alix was able to pick up her car and drop the others off nearer the campsite.

The climbers however we’re not entirely sure what they got up to – but they climbed plenty! Here are some pictures. Also one of the campsite thrown in too!

The crag!
A quick pose for the required belay photo
Chilling out on a ledge
Contemplation by a fire?

Sunday

On Sunday, the same three did a wooded inland route. Again starting from the campsite, they walked north and west to Corfe Castle, and then did a long loop west, first along to Ridgeway Hill, then back slightly to the north through the idyllic village of East Creech, with its pretty duck pond. Remarkably, the weather held.

Look at those cliffs! Also, Damien doing a cool looking climb.

They’re quite pretty

Monday

Day three Alix took herself (and David) off to visit Hardy’s cottage. Wendy and Sarah did another coastal walk. This time starting from Seacombe and getting further east to about Anvil Point, where they turned north to pick up the Priest’s Way again, back to west to Langton Matravers. Here they rendezvoused with the climbers at the adventure farm café, staging post for the journey back to London.

And some more pictures of Damien (plus Gosia belaying) – the others were just too excited to remember to take photos but these are great!

Editor: Thank you so much Sarah for providing a walk-through of what the walkers got up to! Thank you so much to Damien for organising, much appreciated. All around a fantastic trip.