It was a dull day, but a good opportunity to get some new gridsquares with some friends. We hope to return on a sunny day in spring to see the rare Spider Orchids here and take better photos, but for now I was happy to bag quite a few squares.
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| St Nicholas of Myra Church, Worth Matravers - SY9777 |
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| Grave of Benjamin Jesty (left) who discovered the small pox vaccine and was born in Yetminster. His wife's grave is next to his. - Worth Matravers graveyard - SY9777 |
We headed north before turning southwards towards the coast. A few attractive cottages nestle at Hill Bottom.
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| Hill Bottom - SY9677 |
We followed a beautifully crafted dry stone wall on our route coastwards, which was further enhanced by the inclusion of some large stones on which were engraved some inspirational quotes.
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| Held by Gravity - SY9577 |
I had heard the name 'Chapman's Pool' many times and seen it signposted from Kimmeridge, so was delighted to suddenly happen upon it, albeit from some height. A further exploration was called for at a later date.
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| Chapman's Pool - SY9577 |
We passed more quotes and outstanding views of the coastline.
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| SY9576 |
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| SY9576 |
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| View westwards from Emmett's Hill - SY9576 |
The views were outstanding until we reached the most gruelling set of steps i think i've ever come across - all 10,00 of them - or maybe closer to 200 - I think they've been counted!
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| Ascending St Aldhelm's Head from SY9576 |
We were glad to reach to top and admire the view.
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| View from St Aldhelm's Head - SY9575 |
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| Bench at St Aldhelm's Head - SY9575 |
Then we visited St Aldhelm's Chapel, which is a little gem.
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| Inside St Aldhelm's Chapel - SY9675 |
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| St Aldhelm's Chapel - SY9675 |
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| St Aldhelm's Chapel - SY9675 |
We were missing a trigpoint which I'd have to come back for on another occasion. We continued on the south-west coast path, passing some outstanding scenery en route to Winspit Quarry.
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| Stack near West Man, South-west Coast Path - SY9775 |
Hoping to hear bats in Winspit caves, we were sadly disappointed. We'd come to the wrong place, impressive though these quarries are.
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| Winspit Caves at Winspit Quarry - SY9776 |
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| Winspit Caves at Winspit Quarry - SY9776 |
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| Inside Winspit Caves at Winspit Quarry - SY9776 |
A large ammonite fossil was a reminder of the fossil-rich coastline we were walking along.
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| Ammonite - SY9776 |
Distractions or tiredness made me miss the next gridsquare so my next new gridsquare was going to be our lunch spot at Dancing Ledge, a place named after the dancing action of the waves caused by the wind on stormy days. I'd love to return and watch that dance!
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| Dancer's Ledge - SY9976 |
The only other remarkable thing about the next gridsquare was that we had passed unwittingly into 'SZ' territory (I have a feeling I was the only one to notice!)
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| Near Blacker's Hole - and 'SZ' territory - SZ0076 |
The next gridsquare was also our turning point northwards and was marked by big mile markers. Apparently these two sets of two tall pylon-like structures mark a nautical mile. When viewed from the sea, the mile starts when the two posts are exactly lined up one behind the other when viewed from the sea and finishes when same happens at the other end.
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| Mile marker - SZ0176 |
Once more tiredness got the better of me and I missed two gridsquares (although it is difficult to surreptitiously check the map, walk and talk to walking companions all at the same time so it might not just have been tiredness - in my defence!)
At any rate, the next time i was able to check I was in SZ0078 but felt very disorientated as, according to the sign, we were walking back to Dancing Ledge. How was that possible? We were surely heading in the other direction? I've just about worked it out - I think!
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| Sign which threw me - SZ0078 |
A lime kiln also called for further exploration another day.
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| Lime Kiln near Worth Matravers - SZ0078 |
Eastington Farm provided a photo feature for the next gridsquare without much effort being involved - my legs now feeling like jelly.
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| Eastington Farm - SY9877 |
Tired and ready to drop though I was, I couldn't resist a final photo for the day when I saw this diagonal dry stone wall near Worth Matravers. Thanks to Steve for leading such an interesting walk.
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| Attractive dry stone wall near Worth Matravers - SY9877 |
Number of new gridsquares - 13
Number of missed gridsquares - 6
Number of miles walked - 11.2
Number of stone steps - approx 200
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