Log No 298. Mon 28th Apr 2014 - Worth Matravers to South Haven Pt, 17 miles (4544 miles walked)

It was a calm overcast morning and I was away at 07.45, just before the rain started.

I'm sure my leg felt a bit better and there were no steep climbs today so I was hoping for an easier walk.

The gradients may have been gentler but the path was muddy and slippery.

Coming up to Durlston Head I had a big slip and although I managed not to fall over I jarred my left leg badly and moved the pain level up a couple of notches. So much for taking it easy.

The Tilly Whim Caves on the headland used to be a visitor attraction but after a rock fall inside they were closed off. The caves used to be a quarry with Portland Limestone chiselled out from inside the caves.

From Durlston Head it was a good path round the bay to Peveril Point and into Swanage.

I had been going for two hours and as it was raining quite heavy at the moment decided to save my sandwiches for tomorrow and get a cooked breakfast in a cafe instead.

It had brightened up a bit by the time I had come out the cafe and after doing some shopping got back onto the path going round Swanage Bay and climbing up to the top of the white cliffs.

This was the last climb of the day up to Ballard Point and once on the clifftop it was a good gradual descent past The Pinnacles and on to Old Harry Rocks at Foreland Point.

The headland was mobbed with an assortment of people, groups of kids doing their D of E expeditions (I had seen at least 4 groups yesterday) and students with sketch pads to mention a few.

The sun was out properly now as I continued to descend to Studland and down onto the beach for the last 3 miles of the SWCP to South Haven Point.

The middle part of this beach was a designated naturist beach and a notice warned us that we may see naked people. I literally saw armies of dog walkers but no nudists. The notice at the end of the naturist beach reminded people they must be dressed beyond this point.

The ferry that operates between South & North Haven Points is chain driven and, to me, looked oversized for the short distance, the crossing must only be about 5 boat lengths.

The end of 630 miles of the SWCP was another milestone and I found someone to take my picture before heading back inland to start the walk around Poole Harbour and the various channels.

I had 5 miles of mainly road walking to go to get to the campsite and my leg was really hurting, at least it was still relatively flat walking.

I got to the campsite at 15.00 and it was a relief to be able to get the tent up and lie down, my leg had felt every step of the 17 miles.

There is a lot of flat road walking coming up so I should be able to take it easy.

No phone signal again tonight.