Carolynn and I arrived home from Ireland at 02:30 on Saturday morning. Later in the afternoon Carolynn took me to meet Andrew as we were going onto an evening airshow at Shuttleworth, whilst Carolynn carried on to Andrew and Caroline’s abode, where we were going to be staying before we set off to do that pesky last 11.5km of the South West Coast Path. Me, I still had my tail between my legs for not checking that the MOD were live firing, not only during the week but on only one of six weekends, when we were there to finish off the last three days of the path. So, by the end on Monday evening we were both a tad sick of sitting in the car, eight hours on Friday/Saturday driving back from Ireland, four hours on Saturday afternoon to the airshow and back then another five on Sunday and again on Monday to Dorset and back. More importantly though, we were going to complete our 4 1/2 year walk around the South West Coast Path!

It was strange going to walk a section that was two days from the end. But that section of the path would complete not just a walk, but precious time spent that I’d spent with Carolynn and two exceptionally good friends. I won’t go all soppy, but Andrew and Caroline have not only been friends for over 40 years, and in Andrew’s case nearly 50, but also they have made my life richer in many ways and Carolynn, well she’s just a star. I remember saying many years ago that she might not understand my need to climb and walk in far-flung places but her love never falters.

The walk… well it wasn’t the easiest day to leave until last day. Nepali Flat springs to mind (Nepali Flat is how a guide I use in the Himalaya describes the day’s terrain if anyone asks how much ascent there is in that day’s walk). The walk around the cove was typical of an English beach. It was cloudy, windy and a little chilly, but it was very busy, with cruisers of all shapes and sizes anchored offshore and sun seekers lazing on the uncomfortable pebble beach. The scenery, though, was unique. From here the walk reverted to type: steep ascent and descent, three times!

The path rollercoastered along the Jurassic Coast. The MOD range is evident all along this section with targets, burned out tanks and the ruins of old villages and buildings. The escarpment that runs along the coast dips vertically into the sea and falls steeply away on the land wood side, giving spectacular views in all directions. We walked over Flower’s Barrow an old Iron Age Fort. From there we descended into Pondfield Cove and eventually Kimmeridge Bay and the horizontal limestone beds that make up the beach in the cove.

We walked through the MOD gates, the gates that were locked three weeks previously, past the nodding donkey and to the end of the South West Coast Path.

We finished at our only hotel stay over the whole walk, with a great meal, big smiles and a clanking of glasses.