New Valley Hills

Walked out of the ranges at 0630. It felt magical to be walking the coast that early – so quiet and isolated. And delights of delights, it was relatively cool. Forecast to reach 27C, I wanted to get over the big hills to Lulworth Cove before lunch. I did!

The coast is so photogenic. Too many photos!

Feeling a bit incongruous walking around the cove pebble beach surrounded by holidaymakers.

I took shelter at a shady bench by a cafe which served me a bottle of pop and my first pasty.

From the cove to Durdle Door and beyond there was a line of charity walkers doing a marathon- 26 mile- walk for Macmillan. 100s if not 1000s. In 27C heat doing the rollercoaster of cliff hills and bottoms! The ones who started at 7am and had a good pace would get the hardest hills out the way before the afternoon heat kicked in. Walking very slowly to pace myself in their opposite direction and stopping at the top of each hill I saw the tail end of the throng including some being rescued for heat exhaustion or sprained ankles. Paramedics and CoastGuard SAR doing their thing.

The freakish heatwave has filled the cove and Durdle Door beaches. And the campsites, even those inland a little ways. It’s wild camping again for me tonight.

I walked on towards White Nothe, fondly remembering visits there.

Having a campsite booked for tomorrow not too far down the trail I’m in no hurry to crush miles today.

After pondering the world for an hour I skipped down the hill to a better spot.