Day 19 - Friday September 17th

I was taken by car by my neighbour Richard to Southbourne to where I ended my walk on Tuesday. At 8.00am prompt I started walking along the promenade throught Southbourne, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Poole and on to Sandbanks. I started at groyne 49. By 8.30am I arrived at Fishermans cliff lift and zig zag, then passing groyne 29 and Portman's Ravine zig zag. At 8.53am I arrived at Boscombe pier and chine [between groynes 21 & 22]. Atb 9.10am I passed Eastcliff cliff lift [groyne 14]. Ten minutes later I arrived at Bournemouth pier. At 9.23am I came to Beacon Steps zig zag then passing Westcliff cliff lift to Durley Chine where I stopped for a coffee at 9.30. I resumed walking at 9.45am passing Middle Chine, Alum Chine and crossed from Bournemouth to Poole at 9.58am. I continued past Branksome Dene Chine and then Branksome chine and Canford Cliff Promenade coming to the end of the promenade at the start of the Sandbanks isthmus at 10.30a.m. From here to the ferry I walked along the beach which was not busy and boarded the ferry at Sandbanks at 10.55am. The ferry arrived at Shell Bay at 11.05 and I walked around Shell Bay until I joined the Heather Walk which I followed until I arrived at the Studland Middle car park. I continued to the end of the bay and then up the path from the beach and out to Old Harry Rocks where I arrived at 12.40. Here I ate my lunch and had a coffee. I set off again at 1.00p.m. and walked steadily uphill to the top of Ballard Down and did not have to stop to get my breath which was not the case on previous occasions in July and August. I'm not much fitter than then. I arrived in the centre of Swanage at 2.10pm and then walked out to Peveril Point and up to a point where I can easily rejoin the route tomorrow morning without going back into Swanage. I then walked back a short way to the Youth Hostel where I am now. Todays distance is about 18 miles. tomorrows is a bit more but considerably more demanding but I aim to arrive in Lulworth before 5.00pm.