The End

We had walked 630 miles of the SWCP plus many more getting to and fro to B&Bs, climbed almost 115000 ft of climbing, walked for 54 days in five separate visits and stayed in 1 hotel, 2 pubs, 2 farmhouses and 30 different B&Bs.
When we started this walk in 2015 we didn't have the intention of completing the whole walk but once you start its hard to stop! We have each had difficult times but nothing that stopped us wanting to continue. It is the most beautiful walk and we have been very lucky with the weather. It reminded me that Stuart Blaylock used to call me a weather witch as I almost always have good weather on my holidays. He would have loved doing this walk.
I have to thank Margaret for leading the walk (keep the sea on the right!) and planning where to stop on each day and keeping me going when the climbs got tough.
My task was to seek out and book B&Bs and train journeys and arrange for luggage transfer. Yes we did have our luggage transported but if you are going to do such a mammoth walk you might as well enjoy it!
Margaret adds her thanks to me for booking all the B&Bs and suggesting we started the walk in the first place. It was an amazing walk and a great achievement for both of us.
Our final journey home wasn't without incident as we had to set off very early to catch the Bournemouth bus as the ferry was still broken and the diversion took much longer. The train was then delayed at Wolverhampton as someone was taken ill and we had to wait for an ambulance. We arrived in Manchester at rush hour and were like sardines on the train between Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria and our bus in Bradford didn't turn up so we had to wait half an hour for the next one!
Some people keep asking me what's next? Well I can't speak for Margaret but I have decided to retire from day to day walking so no more long trails for me. You couldn't possible beat this one anyway so that's all folks!

Good bye

Day 8 Swanage to South Haven Point 7.5

Well this is it, the final day and still the sun was shining on us. We were so lucky!

Old Harry Rocks

I can't actually fly but they look better from the air!

It was an easy day today as the last 3 miles were on the beach and we paddled the last two of them.

And then there it was the end of the SWCP marker.

It should have been easy from here, catch the bus that comes across the ferry back to Swanage but as a sting in the tail the ferry was out of action and we had to retrace our steps back to Studland, wait an hour for a bus that didn't turn up and ended up sharing a taxi to get back to Swanage!

Never mind, the SWCP occasionally throws things at you that you have to deal with and we still had plenty of time to get ready for our celebratory meal.

Delicious!

Day 7 Chapman's Pool to Swanage 12

Margaret returned on the bus and walked down to the coast path where she had finished yesterday. This was my last day of holiday as once again I had done this section with the 'A' party in 2014.

Chapman's Pool

Royal Marines memorial bench and table

last steep climb!

St Aldhelm's Chapel

Dancing Ledge

Tilly Whim Caves

I think it started raining at this point in 2014 but I took some photos from Peveril Point in 2018 where I met up with Margaret at the end of her walk.

Looking towards Old Harry rocks

Swanage Pier

Meanwhile I had a lovely day riding on the steam train to Corfe Castle.

My first and last cream tea!

The day ended with a paddle for Margaret and fish and chips outside on the promenade before booking a table for our final celebration meal tomorrow at La Trattoria Italian Restaurant,

Day 6 Lulworth Cove to Chapman's Pool 11

This was Margaret's hardest day's walk but one of the best and the weather was still good. I was very lucky as it was my day to transfer to Swanage but also the very last day that the seasonal bus to Swanage ran via Durdle Dor and Lulworth Cove so I was able to break my journey and visit these two stunning places again,
I had previously walked to Lulworth Cove with the 'A' party on the Weymouth holiday and I remember it being a very hard walk with plenty of steep climbs and descents. I think this is the hardest section of the SWCP but one of the most beautiful.

2014 'A' party

Clavell Tower owned by Landmark Trust

Lulworth Cove

It was one of the hardest walks I have ever done and I must have slowed them down but they were very kind, thanks guys!
This time I had a much easier time as I got off the bus to walk down to Durdle Dor and then along to Lulworh Cove.

Bat's Head and Swyre Head

Durdle Dor

Lulworth Cove

Stair Hole

I had plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and take photos before catching the next bus to Swanage our final B&B. I spent some time finding the B&B and possible places to eat before meeting Margaret off the bus. We couldn't check in till after 6.00 so we went straight for a meal at 'Beavers' before relaxing with the TV and an early night.

Day 5 Weymouth to Lulworth Cove 11

Another rest day for me as Margaret set off for Lulwoth Cove where she was staying overnight. When we planned this visit there wasn't any convenient way of getting back from Lulworth Cove but actually there was a seasonal bus that finished on the following day.
I walked this section with Ray and Jackie in the other direction in 2014.

Stair Hole

Durdle Dor

Osmington Mills

The rain was coming!

Margaret had better weather for her walk. Meanwhile I changed to a single room with a sea view and a balcony-very nice!

Time to do some washing, sit in the sun with a book and then have a walk around the Radipole RSPB nature reserve that was very peaceful.

 Fish and chips for lunch beside the river watching the deckhand cleaning the cruiser. Someone had some serious money.

Margaret enjoyed her walk but was a little disappointed with her stay at Rudds of Lulworth, a great position but didn't live up to expectations..