Day 29 Fri 30th Sept Lulworth to Swanage

A break at Kimmeridge

And as the mini heatwave continues to burn us all to a frazzle, September exits stage right with the guiltiest of expressions, having  wrecked havoc amongst South West weather forecasters throughout the month. But the morning had an element of spice injected into it when Radio Solent shocked the nation with a live interview of Jack and his mad- cap ideas.

But, not to be undone, the intrepid duo continued their progress eastwardly from Lulworth, hotly pursued by exploding shells and bullets until we were in sight of the final citadel of Swanage. With only 7.6 miles left until we cross the finishing line (in front of the Royal Box), it was time to call it a day and reflect  on the ups and downs of the last four weeks.

Roger and Joan produced the most enormous pasta, capable of awakening the dead and certain to account for a few more minutes off the final of Jack's dashes. The euphoria of completion is certain to be tinged by elements of sadness and wistfulness but this will be the subject of tomorrow's  illuminating blog. And so to bed.

Day 28: Thurs 29th Sept Langton Herring to Lulworth

Portland Bill

Heat haze over Chesil Bank

 On yet another magnificent Mediterranean-type morning I was able to set off with a spring in my step whilst dragging the other step behind me in a show of petulent non co-operation. The quads injury (of week 1) had now returned to haunt me with a vengance and grew in intensity the further I tried to walk or run.

The first task was to fight off the colossal biblical-like swarms of daddy long-legs that were hi-jacking every thing that moved around the Chesil Beach banks, man or beast. There were thousands of them forming huge dust clouds and determined to take no prisoners. No way were they a threat but they didn't half make you run /limp fast to avoid them.

The September sun now really had his hat on and Portland was beginning to look like a Bank Holiday centre for geriatrics as they, too, came out in their thousands to swarm all over the "island". Again I made good progress but this time I carried no rucksack as Pat was able to supply all my survival needs from the car. Sad to relate however that the progress gradually ground to a near halt as the forces of evil, in the shape of the aforementioned quads muscle,took over the control of my right knee. However, the new product on the market, "Son of Paracetamol", waded in to provide pain relief until I was able to see yet another physiotherapist (my fourth of the campaign) back on the mainland.

Once again, my continuation in the project appeared to be very much in the hands of Fifi la Fizz and it wasn't long before she slapped and tickled me through the pain barrier. Thanks to her intervention, I was soon reconstructed and very much looking forward to tomorrow, the penultimate day of the whole exercise.

Our last 'home' on this adventure is now with Roger and Joan, so many thanks due to them.
Tune in to dashing Jack's blog and discover for yourself whether the spoils of the victor will be delivered to moi or whether the injury vodoo will strike again..............And so to bed.


ps from Pat

Delighted to see anyone on Saturday who is able to turn up for his Lordships return.  South Haven Point, the official end of the South West Coastal Path, is right by the Studland end of the Sandbanks to South Haven Ferry. There is an NT car park and we'll grab a spot on the beach nearby. Hope he'll finish between 12 and 1pm so bring a picnic.

Day 27: Wed. 28th Sept Lyme Regis to Langton Herring

3 lovely supporters - Burton Bradstock

What a difference a day makes!Gone were the mist and fog. Gone were the low temperatures and gone were the grey, grey skies and seas. In their place summer had returned with an astonishing array  of clear horizons, balmy breezes and dazzling turquoise seas .

For me, the weather was perfect and much progress was made as I galloped along the Path at breathtaking speed from Lyme to Langton, conquering the mighty Golden Cap en route. Hands up all those who have read the book, "Moonfleet", a classic tale of smugglers' nefarious deeds located in the heart of Chesil Beach country. It was compulsive reading when I was at school a thousand years ago. Mind you, they never had exploits extending to cliff-top runners and their mad sport.

Once more, there were other fresh air fanatics on the Path only too pleased to learn about G.O.S.H and only too ready to donate there and then to the hospital funds. We were also united again with our very close buddies, Margaret and Jill who scoured the summit of Golden Cap amazed by the enormous dust cloud being generated by dashing Jack shortly after crossing the Devon/Dorset border. All now seems set for Saturday's final fling when I hope to spring across the burning sands of Studland beach around 1 pm, weather and injuries permitting. And so to bed.

Day 26 Tues 27th Sept Budleigh Salterton to Lyme Regis

Blymey Regis. Non-dashing Jack surveys the fog-bound scene in despondent mood.

Well that's Devon done and dusted. It turned out to be only marginally better than Cornwall in so far as running is concerned, i.e., hills not quite so severe and the weather showed a very good improvement.....for a few days, because now we are truly in the doldrums with nothing but but dense mist and fog all around us,from the hill summits to the ocean depths. At one stage I was completely disorientated,lost my way and had to drag myself backwards underneath a barbed wire fence. This event is turning more into an obstacle course or cross-country event but at least we have now done 545 miles in total with ONLY another 85 miles to go until the finish on Saturday. YES!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Pat was busy decanting all our supplies again as we are now moving on to Pat's cousins Les and Vera to stay in their home near Lyme Regis for a couple of nights. Oh the joy of having family members resident near the Path.

Also, hot from the press,my Achilles tendon has responded miraculously (again) to the treatment from
my personal masseuse, Fifi la blonde, and if anyone would care for an appointment I must warn you that the price has just gone up!  And so to bed.

Day 25: Mon 26th Sept PAIGNTON to BUDLEIGH SALTERTON

Over 500 miles and still smiling

Day 25 Mon 26th Sept          Paignton to Budleigh Salterton

Hands up all those that have been to Torquay, which offers a strange mixture of the vulgar and the elite, but the jewel in her crown has got to be the seven acres of municipal parkland atop Mount Babbacombe.  The park was given in perpetuity  to the Torquaysian citizenry where they have free access to one of the finest views in England. I know this because I passed through there today under warm sunny skies . With my Achilles albatross round my neck,  sustained only by a wish and a prayer,  as I struggled to come terms with the deteriorating condition . How strange that on the one hand my cardiovascular system is tuned like a formula one racing car, yet on the other hand the wheels keep coming off. Forget physiotherapists but does anyone know of a good car mechanic?

Meanwhile back on the caravan ranch we have at last fathomed out how to light the gas cooker and the gas fire giving us warmth from within and without.  And so to bed.

Ps.You may recall that I am trying to complete the 630 miles of coastal path within 30 days, which is a tall order by anyone’s measure. It now appears that we may well meet our target, and I hope to arrive at South Haven Point around lunchtime this coming Saturday even if only on one leg. Not so much Jack’s dash but more likely Jack’s hop. More details coming later for anyone wishing to join us.

Day 24: Sun 25th Sept Torcross to Paignton

Alas Jack was out on the coast til it was nearly dark to complete his scheduled mileage.  By the time I’d gathered him up, driven us to our new caravan home near Dawlish, cooked the usual boring pasta (I’m allowed to say that; Jack isn’t!) and massaged the well known heel,  there was not much time left for the scribe to work on the blog. So here’s today’s saga.

It started off with a long, flat run along Slapton Lea in, believe it or not, low heavy cloud and rain. In fact he soon texted me to request a change from trainers to walking boots knowing that the cliffs would be extremely muddy and wet and he would have a better grip with boots. That accomplished, off he went and we met some time later in Dartmouth where the clouds had cleared and it turned out to be a pleasant sunny afternoon. After a bite to eat Jack left me to take the ferry over the river Dart and continue on his eastward journey. He managed yet again to get a free crossing  upon making his GOSH running vest obvious to the ferryman and relating the tale of his efforts! The next section was as tough as most sections are and he eventually appeared on Paignton’s prom where I was waiting.

Jack will be back tomorrow for the next exciting episode - don't miss it!

Day 23, Sat 24th Sept. Hope Cove to Torcross

As another dry day dawned over delightful Devon we drove the 45 minute journey from our home at Start Point to today's starting line at Hope Cove. (I should add here that "Start Point" is the official Ordnace Survey Map name of one of the Devon headlands, complete with coastwatch and lighthouse. So it's not our starting point but their Start Point. Get it? Good!). Soon I was whistling a merry tune as I dashed over hills and down dales driven by an unquenchable wanderlust (Does anyone actually read this nonsense?). Torcross was the destination, 22.1 miles from Hope Cove which, calibrated  into distance covered from Minehead, is 465 miles, leaving a balance of 165 still to be considered before the 30 days are up. Anyone taking bets yet?

Close to the Erme estuary yesterday I met a chap on the Path from Lancashire ("Trouble at mill, lad, with state of tide;tha won't be crossing on ferry today".) But he went on to say that he was now on the last leg of an 8-year pilgrimage and should complete the saga later that day.He was absolutely beside himself with juvenile excitement but tinged with a touch of lamentation that the enterprise was almost at an end. And then there was a walker who had begun his adventure in Norfolk and was aiming to walk the whole of the British coastline in his retirement, but at age 92 I don't think he stands a chance somehow. But there's comfort to be drawn from the knowledge that I'm not the only idiot on the Path: there's hundreds of 'em!

Today is our last day in Alison's friend's house, which sits immediately next to the Path and commands breathtaking views of the high hills and the high seas. Tomorrow we're off to our next caravan in Dawlish Warren there to commence the conquest of  East Devon. Bring it on! And so to bed .

PS from Pat:
Several people have emailed us to say they cannot fathom out how to make comments on the blog.  Well our sooper dooper techie Pete says:
'if people want to add comments on your blog they have to create a Google account first. Then when you are writing your comment you choose Google from the drop down list. Its a bit temperamental though - sometimes you need to "submit" a couple of times before the confirmation screen pops up - where you will be asked to copy some letters. (It's the security thing that stops computers pretending to be people, remember I mentioned it??)

Creating a google account is simple; its just like creating a new hotmail email account for example.'
So, now you know!