From the back of our BnB theres a hazy view of Corfe Castle – “but that’s not in Wales” I hear you say and you would be right – it’s in Dorset, and so are we, joining up a few dots I left hanging loose last February.

This gorgeous lamb seems interested in my progress as I puff and pant up the steep hill to St. Catherine’s Chapel in Abbotsbury. 

There is mud and there is MUD and the hallmark of today’s walk is the latter……..but more on that later. I get up early, determined to do the second day despite the throbbing toe – grit, determination or plain stupidity?

On my last walk I sprained my ankle and a couple of weeks later managed to break my toe by giving the wall of the swimming pool a vigorous breast stroke kick. Since then I have become very wary of anyone or anything that comes near my feet.

This morning I am walking parallel to the coast but some way inland due to the closure of the coast path. The website however assures me there will still be sea views.

Two days walking ahead of me and although the weather report says rain, it’s not looking too murky when I leave my B&B and head down to Swanage sea front. The sea is quite rough and after a couple of minutes watching the waves break over the sea wall I head up to Peveril Point and Durlston Country Park.

I remember arriving at the quay in Mudeford last summer and getting excited about the short ferry ride across the mouth of Christchurch Harbour to Hengistbury Head. But it’s now winter and although I wake up to blue skies and bright sunshine the ferry is hibernating.

Not wanting to subject my friends to the dark side of coastal walking I have cherry-picked today’s walk. We are a group of four – my old friend Sharon, her daughter Flo, sister Helen and dog Mitzi.