Jaunt

An enforced off day looking for stuff to repair my air mattress, lighter woes and camping stoves and thinking of running light without my art gear (which was the point of the trip!)

Quarries, airbed worries and knights in shining armour do a no show, the walk from Seacombe to Chapman's Pool via a dangerous Winspit Quarry, radar history, a 13th century Chapel, volunteer Coastguards and an Uppy Downy...and a nice meal in Kingston (not that one).

But then a long night on deflating air mattress and a knackered next day and attempts to fix the bed, so will this trip go the same way as aborted Jaunt 2?

Where I travel back to (Harry) Seacombe Bottom, do an art and then face the No Water Issue that abandoned the walk 2 years ago...

After a fairly successful day of three hours work in the only brief non-rainy part of yesterday, we have drama with deer and airbed puncturea which the latter might abort the trip... But I am trpapee here cos of strikes!

Where I find out Corfe Castle has no food even at 9pm on an August weekday, take a late night trip into Swanage to scoff Chinese food on the seafront in the cold (again!) and tentcast about rain, new tents and gear. #jaunt4

Tent cast video version will be on my Hard Up Hiker channel when it uploads https://youtube.com/@harduphiker

After many months of prevarication, Jaunt 4 is starting now. Not sure if it will be a short mini jaunt or a longer one, depends on me, my health/knees holding up and the weather. Trying out new gear, so heading to Corfe Castle which I visited back in Jaunt 1, for a familiar place and shakedown for a new tent and then planning to do something I have never done...

Do a proper hike with all my gear and overnight on the way to Kimmeridge - or several nights if it's needed, cos the rugged coast has few places to camp, and it is the last section of the Jurassic Coast to finish to connect all the way to Beer. Hopefully my first wild camp as well sometime during this trip.

Heading back to London (spoilers!) cos after 18 days non-stop, eczema on sunburn and fatigue hit me like a truck. Disappointing cos I have only 16 miles to finish the Jurassic Jaunt bar a 5 mile stretch past Kimmeridge. So close but unlike King Canute (the name of the last piece I did in Lyme Regis) it is time to realise the tide is turning.. And the weather will be changing for the worst in a few days. Sad but time to head back.

Back to the ruins of Gabriel Stanton, an abandoned village with a ruined chapel via the well of lost St Wite.. Or is that Wight? #jaunt3

Back to Beer while the buses are running (no Sunday/Public holiday buses!) and going full shepherd stopping a dog worrying sheep and painting a watercolour of the cliffs near Beer.

A much better and shorter walk to Seaton from the National Trust village of Branscombe. Had a look at the Old Forge (the only thatched forge left in Devon, wonder why that never caught on?) got a cakey from the bakery and drew St Winifred's Church, one of the oldest in Devon. Walked from their via a very steep connecting path to the Coastal Path. much more Uppy Downy Undercliff but far better than the previous day... You actually saw Cliffs! Coast! SEA! Beer looks really beautiful so going back there today earlier this time so I don't miss the bus like this time where I had go get a taxi back, last bus is at 5pm!