Leaving the Jubilee bunting of genteel Southwold we head northwards ignoring the dark purple clouds massing behind us.
Continue readingSouthwold to Lowestoft | 08.07.12
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Lowestoft to Caister | 07.07.12
Just north of Lowestoft a deserted nudist beach, quickly turns into a concrete path.
Continue readingDeal to Sandwich | 08.06.12
After the headwinds of my last walk, forecasts of 50 mph winds lend weight to a decision to walk anti-clockwise.
Continue readingFolkestone to Littlestone-on-Sea | 06.06.12
Empty high speed train tips me into the serenity of The Leas on a bright morning. Steep paths from the lush green sward and majestic houses down to the hard concrete walkway that will lead me to Hythe.
Continue readingAngmering to Shoreham| 13.05.12
Beautiful wooden houses overlooking the lagoon at Angering, each equipped with canoes and such.
Shoeburyness to Leigh-On-Sea | 10.05.12
Walk along damp shingle beaches to the vintage arcades of Southend. A walk on the mile long pier is irresistible, as is the mini-train back, clanking over the weather worn boards. Kingsnorth lowers in the distance and then on to the fresh cockles of Leigh On Sea.
Mundesley to Caister-On-Sea (two days) | 05.05.12
11. & 12. Mundesley to Caister-On-Sea (two days) | 05.05.12
Wide open skies, deserted sandy beaches and wind. Beautiful home for two days – Gig House. Forced to do our re-cycling homework. Families of seals dreaming on the beach and kite surfers riding the waves. Best bacon butty ever and vertiginous climb up the Happisborough Lighthouse.
Dover to Deal | 08.01.12
10. Dover to Deal | 08.01.12
Hidden behind the engineered landscape of the Eastern docks a narrow lane with weathered concrete fence posts leads us up to the white cliffs of Dover and beyond. Evenly spaced small boats keep watch for what? Illegal immigrants? The path leads down to St. Margarets and the enchanting Pines Gardens – the Poetry Path, the Catalan Calyx roofs topped with turf. On to cream teas in the Bluebird Café and a hobble into Deal.
Distance: 11 miles
Barry to Llantwit Major | 10.10.11
We get a ride to the start of the walk – an ex-gypsy taxi driver full of tales. Scrabbling out and up on to the cliffs overlooking Barry, we later walk gingerly past static caravans perched on the edge of the cliffs at Porthkerry. Little did we know that the following day our footsteps would crumble leaving caravans see-sawing before breakfast – a narrow escape.
The walk continues on desolate stretches of grey beach around Rhoose, followed by shingle to Llantwit and a fried egg sandwich.
Distance: 12 miles
Brighton to Shoreham | 9.10.11
Squinting in the sun I walk past the colourful beach huts at Hove, a few souls swimming in the creamy surf.
The walk then continues along the sea wall, the landscape becoming more and more industrial – thank goodness the sun is shining. Later I stop for directions and an old gentleman tells me the path “elbows to the right” into the ugly wharfs and wastelands of pre Shoreham.
Distance: 6 miles
Joining the Dots 