Saturday, June 23, 2012

Golden Cap

Midweek into our holiday and the rain paused, the wind dropped, the sun came out and the temperature went up.  Naturally I packed a variety of delicious munchies, pulled on my walking boots and headed for the hills...well, one hill....one rather large hill.

A National Trust site on the Jurassic coast Golden Cap, which at 191 metres is the highest point on the South coast of England, delivers spectacular 360 degree views of Dorset & even Devon.

Foot problems notwithstanding (not the ankle for once) I was determined to fit a decent walk into the holiday.  After a Mr. Toad's Wild bus ride from Lyme Regis to Chideock village I began my exploration.

Chideock village filled with some lovely Dorset cottages.


The first part of the path through woodland was very muddy due to all the recent precipitation, today though was sunny and calm.



Starting the steep ascent, looking back to Langdon Wood


 At the top 191 metres where a pasty was ravenously consumed


Looking toward Seatown, Weymouth and Portland in the far distance
 

 Using the Force to get pictorial evidence of my endevours 
 

Some of the outstanding views
 

There have been several landslips over the years so standing too close to the edge I was not.
 

Looking toward Charmouth, Lyme Regis, Sidmouth & beyond
 




After a well deserved picnic lunch I walked back down from the Cap and a circular walk through Langdon woods to St Gabriels.
 

Cutting across the nearby fields and meadows where at least all the rain has given us lush greenery which make for fab pictures.


The remains of St. Gabriels church, nestled in the hillside
 

Once more heading upward.
 

This side of Golden Cap was much steeper & at this point I was questioning my choice to ascend to the top for a second time.
 

Still the views were totally worth it, walking back down toward Seatown
 

The view of Golden Cap, cows plonking themselves nonchalantly right across the footpath and, as these creatures slightly freak me out, a wide birth was given.


Ah, the obligatory field of wheat? corn? maize? crops have never been a strong suit....on the way down to Seatown.


The view from Seatown beach, the old coastal path has been closed due to subsidence


I hung out in Seatown for a spell, listening to the waves and absorbing a little sunshine before walking back up to Chideock for the, sometimes heart stopping, bus ride back to Lyme Regis....where I had a well deserved ice cream before kicking off my boots back at the flat.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It looks lovely there, well done! Great pictures too. x

Emma said...

ta muchly, had the weather been sunny throughout I would've walked some of the other coastal routes, alas it was not too be. I have an explorer map of the area for the next visit though ;-)