Following The Fleet

The next section of the South West Coast Path.

Day 2.

Abbotsbury to Weymouth

Starting out from the b&b after a hearty breakfast, we headed up the hill to St Catherine's Chapel which sits above Abbotsbury. From there the views were stunning to the coast and inland. The ridgeway (an alternative route) sits even higher the other side of the village.

Beyond the swannery, we could see Chesil Beach and the fleet - a special wildlife conservation area. The fleet is the name of the lagoon between Chesil Bank and the mainland. The water at the Abbotsbury end is not as salty or tidal because of the stream running into it and hence the haven for birds and its protected status.

The next part of the walk was inland through rolling fields and skirting woodland. When we rejoined the fleet it was almost time for a spot of lunch and we stopped at the conveniently-placed Moonfleet Manor for a panini and a slice of Dorset apple cake.

We continued walking towards Weymouth along the fleet, with Chesil bank permanently to the right hand side, past lots of lovely coves and bays.

Neither it us had noticed before, but gorse in flower has the distinct smell of coconut about it - a bit like a coconutty suncream. We were sstarting to wish we had some suncream to put on. The glorious day without much shade was pleasantly welcome but much unexpected.

At Ferry Bridge (the connection from Wyke Regis to the Isle of Portland) we decided to jump on a bus for the last couple of miles to Weymouth and to check in to our guest house for the night.

That leg of the walk was 12.5 miles to Ferry Bridge.

After a brief pause and dropping off our bags, we returned by bus to Ferry Bridge and took it about a mile or so further onto Portland itself. From there we saw a super sunset across the sea. We walked up on to Chesil bank, and at this end the pebbles are a lot bigger which makes it easier to walk on and get a footing. Apparently pirates landing on Chesil bank knew which part of it they had landed on by the pebble size.

Leaving Portland behind via the Ferry Bridge we picked up the Rodwell trailway (a former railway line now a cycle and footpath). By this point it had got dark so we walked for a couple of miles, accompanied by bats flying back and forth, into Weymouth town centre. We stopped for dinner before returning to our b&b, rather satisfyingly tired.

The 'bonus' second section of today's walk added another 5.5 miles, bringing today's total to 18 miles.