Day 3. 23 miles. 79/643 complete
The day started damp with drizzle already soaking the tent as I woke. With the outside being cold and wet, there was quite a bit of condensation inside so I'd have to remember to unpack at lunch and dry out the tent.
The climb up Merchants Incline followed grooves cut into the rocks by the gravity railway used to transport Portland stone down to the town. I love to see the marks and indications of history and the scars and quarries from it's stone-producing past are all over Portland.
As the rain passed the whole south coast opened up revealing mile on mile of cliffs, the same ones I'd slogged up over the last few days. From here they looked tiny sawtooth bumps stretching out to the horizon.
The views around Portland were stunning, and there were so many grassy ledges close to the cliffs I wished I'd have walked on further last night so I could wake up to the views. But then I'd have missed the abandoned hospital and the views during the climb. Noted for next time.. Camping at Portland.
Once back in town I toyed with the idea of walking Chesil Beach but the map showed a firing range further up the coast and it would be a long walk back if it was in use, so I took the correct path which wound around the lagoon so much the 12 muddy miles to Abbotsbury were only 6 as the crow flies.
On arriving in town I could see there was a pub marked on the map (I use OS 1:25,000 scale on the Viewranger app) and hoped it was open. I always carry two sets of dry socks/briefs/Tshirt and was going to try to dry my Cheviot fell shoes and change socks. The pub was open, warm and very welcoming so I checked online to see if it had rooms. Double with en-suite for £35. I was booked in like a shot and showered within minutes, as the tent hung over the wardrobe to dry I also did some sink laundry. That's me set for the next few days under canvas.
The forecast tomorrow is for rain. I don't have waterproof shoes but will try a trick I picked up in the AT forums - sandwich bags on feet..
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Don't forget to take the sandwiches out though
I wondered why my feet wouldn't fit in my shoes.. Thanks for the tip.
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