Charity

Poole to Exeter fundraising walk

Day 1

POOLE PARK TO LULWORTH COVE (approx 30.2 miles, grading moderate then severe). Dawn drove me to Poole Park on Thursday 26th August in somewhat wet and blustery conditions to commence my epic journey to Exeter!!
The chaps on the Sandbanks ferry cheered me on my way as I set off walking along Shell Bay with not a dog in sight, and thankfully no naturists either!

Passing Peverill point, Durlston Head, Tilly Whim Caves and the lighthouse at Anvil Point before having a drink and snack at The Royal Marines Memorial at Emmetts Hill to head on to Kimmeridge Bay.
Escalators are needed to get up those killer hills at Lulworth Ranges!! Some kind person wrote the number of steps on the top step, I didn't want to disagree!
My first days walk ended at 8pm at Lulworth Cove where I was collected by my friend Tracey who took me to her home for a very welcome dinner,shower and soft bed.

Day 2
LULWORTH COVE TO ABBOTSBURY (approx 25 miles, grading strenuous, moderate to easy)
Feeling a bit stiff and worse for wear I headed up Hanbury Tout and even more BIG hills to White Nothe.
After all the rain yesterday the track was very muddy and slippery and did slow the pace a bit until I slid down a few metres on my bottom!!!!
Osmington Mills, Bowleaze Cove, Overcombe and a lunch break in Weymouth to re charge the batteries.
The sun was shining as I strode out past the shores of The Fleet and the inland diversion and Wyke Woods and through fields of cows. One cow in particular (I could pick her out on a police line up!) thought she could do a little stomping act in front of me and I thought I may have to scale the barbed wire fence behind me but the "cow stick" and the evil eye from me did the trick and thankfully she went on her way.
Passing The Swannery I arrived at my overnights accommodation in Abbotsbury for an early night and to strap my knee.

DAY 3
ABBOTSBURY TO LYME REGIS (approx 19.1 miles, grading moderate, strenuous and moderate)
After a good nights sleep I stepped out to head  to West Bay. I encountered more fields with cows and after yesterdays incident, I now realise I have a cow phobia and waited for unsuspecting walkers to tag along with!!
I met Dawn and Stuart at Burton Bradstock with the key to my next overnights accommodation. West Bay, Seatown and then another BIG hill Golden Cap provided the most spectacular views and an excuse for a chocolate fix!  (without feeling guilty!)

Next port of call Lyme Regis and my overnight accommodation and lovely meal The Pilot Boat, thanks to Olan who walked me back to my accommodation when I got on the wrong bus and became lost!

DAY 4
LYME REGIS TO SIDMOUTH (approx 17.2 miles, grading moderate, strenuous then severe!)
With Paracetomol and Ibuprofen for breakfast and my legs strapped like a race horse I limped out of Lyme Regis towards Seaton  via the golf course at Axecliffe. (didn't have time to stop on the 19th!).
Seaton Hole, Beer and Hooken Cliffs provided wonderful scenery and water views, then onto Branscombe Mouth through more fields of cows with the help of Liz and Fraser! winding my way down the path to Sidmouth for my welcoming bubble bath in the B&B.

DAY 5
SIDMOUTH TO EXETER (approx 21.1 miles, grading strenuous, moderate to easy)
Getting weary now and taking a while to get going, I hobbled on via Ladram Bay and the River Otter into pretty Budleigh Salterton for a breather and another chocolate  fix. Passing another golf course and a couple of caravan parks- what spectacular views and what a place to tee off! At Sandy Bay three familiar faces came towards me on the cliff tops, my support crew, Stuart, Louise and Jo, they  walked with me to the sea front at Exmouth for a picnic on the beach organised by Jo's parents Chris and Chris.
The last leg of the journey seemed a lot easier with Jo and Louise accompanying me  and 3 hours later we arrived in Topsham, Exeter for a celebration drink and dinner at The Lighter Inn.
Dawn and Stuart drove me back to Poole despite Stuarts threats of making me catch the X53 bus back!

DAY 6
Feeling a bit bruised and battered today but elated at the fact that I achieved the walk for a really good cause. I could not have done this without  Dawn and Stuart organising transport and overnight accommodation and to Jo, for organising things at the Exeter end,Chris and Chris for donating the picnic, Louise, Neil and Gemma.
La Trattoria Cafe and Restaurant, Swanage for my cup of tea,
Carol from The Henbury Store for donating 10 pounds
Colin and Charlotte donated 10 pounds
Roy McLeod who is walking up Kilimanjaro to raise money for  Children Today, a  charity for disabled children  www.justgiving.com/roymcleod
John and Margaaret Labium donated 5 pounds
Owners of UPALONG B&B, 8 West St, Abbotsbury DT3 4JT PH 01305871882.Chris and Clare donated  5 pounds and a packet of ibuprofen!
Pat Crab donated 3 pounds
Owners of WOODBERRY DOWN, Colwyn Lane, Lyme Regis, DT7 3HF, 01297444655 Adam, his wife and mum donated 10 pounds,
Debbie and partner donated 5 pounds
Liz and Fraser donated 10 pounds
Owner of RYTON GUEST HOUSE 52-54 Winslade Rd, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 9EX PH 0139551398 donated 5 pounds
Manager of The Lighter Inn, Topsham, Guy Bayliss donated 40 pounds.

I would like to thank all the lovely people a I met along the way who offered me moral support and words of encouragement, I do not know a lot of your names but here are some of the names that I remember and I apologise to those that I have missed.

Barry and his 2 dogs, Anne Carpenter and her family, Oliver and Steve and their 3 springer spaniels, Niva, Phil and their 3 children, Val and Mike and Mike and his wife and their dog,

A VERY BIG THANK YOU

VAL

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