Day 22 Monday 20th September

After breakfast I left the hostel with my room-mate Gary at 8.40 a.m. We set off up the hill to the highest point on Portland. Gary decided to take the west side of the island and I went to the left to the east side. 9.30. I passed the Verne Prison, then diagonally across an old quarry and on the seaward side of the Young Offenders Prison, arriving at Church Ope Cove at 10.05. Then continued along the path which meandered through various old quarry workings, arriving at Portland Bill 11.05. At 12.30 met Jenny, Ralph and Terri for lunch at the Lobster Pot Cafe. Parted company about 2.00 and I set off up the west coast of Portland, completing the loop at about 3.00. By 3.30 I was back at the hostel, where I shall chill out for the rest of the day. Distance today 10 miles.

Day 21 Sunday September 19th

Left hostel at 8.30 a.m. and arrived back on coast path at Lulworth at 8.45. First 4 miles to White Nothe (Nose) were another roller coaster like yesterday, but not so severe. Arrived at White Nothe at 10.30 and then passed Ringstead Bay and Osmington Mills, arrived at Bowleaze Cove on the edge of Weymouth for lunch at 1 p.m. Walked all along the prom to centre of Weymouth and then cut through to the Rodway Trail. Started the Rodway Trail at 2.15 and arrived at Youth Hostel on Portland at 3.55. Distance travelled approximately 18 miles.

Day 20 Saturday 18th September

Left Swanage Youth Hostel at 7.55 a.m. and arrived at Durlston Head at 8.10. Up and down walk to St. Aldhelm's Head, arrived 10.30. From there walked in a northerly direction and almost immediately came to a steep valley with 217 steps down and 183 up. Had a 2 mile detour to get to the next big hill at Houns-tout, very steep, 167 steps up and I was already a long way up when I got there. Killer of a hill. Passed Cavell Tower, which is now lived in. Eventually arrived at Kimmeridge Bay at 1.50 p.m. where I had lunch. After lunch passed nodding donkey (oil well) at 2.20 and then entered Lulworth Tank Ranges. Could see a very high cliff and the path led up towards this. Steady climb to go up Tynham Cap and then the full horror of the climb became more and more visible, and it just went up and up and up! At the top the path was relatively level and went steadily downhill. Having climbed another very severe hill, arrived at Flower's Barrow at 4.00. From Flower's Barrow the path went down very steeply to sea level at a bay called Arish Mell. From Arish Mell the path went up a flight of steps with over 250 steps and then I walked along the ridge, then had to descend another very difficult flight of steps to Mupe Bay. These steps were really quite scary because of their poor condition. At 5.35 left the Ranges and walked around the foreshore of Lulworth Cove.

Stopped for a meal on the way to the Youth Hostel and booked in at 7 p.m. Distance travelled approximately 22 miles.

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.

Day 18 - Thursday September 16th.

Some time this morning sorting oput what to take in my ruck sack. Having learnt from my mistakes in the first part of the "Dawdle" I have reduced my rucksack to between 9.2 and 7.2 kilos, depending on whether the flask and water bottle are full or empty. This is a much more manageable weight to carry.

I had to go to see the nurse practitioner as my urine appeared to be infected - another U.T.I. - so am now on three kinds of antibioptics at the same time. Need prayer that I will stay healthy as I walk.

This afternon we drove over to Birdham to see Tim & Margie where I left some of my things when I was there to lighten my load.

Tomorrow I'm off to Swanage on the next leg of my Dawdle.

Day 17 - Wednesday September 15th

Today was another rest day but it prooved quite busy.
Had to go to Christchurch hospital for a blod test.

In the afternoon I went at 2.00p.m. to Avon View where I used to work to talk about my walk so far. They seemed to enjoy it. I also explained about the equipment I take with me etc.

in the evening I went to the Christchurch Churches Together and had another opportunity to talk about the sponsored walk as well as other things.

Today the antibiotics seemed to be having the desired effect as the swelling has gone down and my leg returned to normal.

Day 16 - Tuesday September 14th.

Caught the 9.49 bus service X1 to Barton-on-Sea and alighted from bus at 9.25am.
Set off westward and crossed Holbourne Naish caravan park and into Chewton Bunny and then along highcliffe undercliff path to Highcliffe Castle and then through Steamer Point nature reserve and along to Avon Beach cafe where I met Dave Galpin at 11.35am. After coffee we walked to Mudeford Quay and Davewent home while I waited for the ferry to Mudeford Spit. Times had been reduced to 10.00 to 4.00pm [quite a change from 9.00 to 10.00pm!] Then set off and up onto the Hengisbury heath to Hengisbury Head and then along accross the sand dunes and boardwalk to Southbourne and into Harbour Road to Wick where I called in on rex and Margaret. Rex gave me a lift home. Walked 8.49miles in 2hours 19 minutes and 41seconds actual walking time. [Pedometer stops when not walking.] Average speed was 3.645miles per hour.

Having started a new course of antibiotics and also having gone for this walk my left leg has lost a lot of its swelling and the swelling on my foot has gone for which I praise the Lord. Feel good about resuming walking on Friday. However, five weeks is much more than two weeks and I still feel tired. Have hardly lost any weight.