Abbotsbury to Seatown

06/04/12 Parked in Chideock and X53 to Abbotsbury. Plenty of footpaths around the village and we guessed correctly which one was the Coast Path. The path follows a track behind the beach for some way. As it is beside the reed beds, it is flat and quick time was made past Bexington and Burton Bradstock. At the mouth of the River Bride we were directed upstream to the holiday park, but we could see a footpath sign on the opposite side. So we crossed nearer the beach and were then faced with this dilemma,

do we stay on the beach to West Bay or climb the official footpath route? The sand was ok to start with, but did soften as we approached the resort.

The West Bay had Palmers Copper Ale (3.7%) and IPA (4.2%) for £6.35. Nice enough place, but the restaurant was a bit pricey for us. Then another dilemma. The Bridport Arms and particularly the George are close to path, but not on it. So it was on past the food shacks around the harbour. We resisted the temptations of tracks that avoided the ups and downs and were soon in sight of the Anchor in Seatown.

With Golden Cap behind it, the pub looked tempting. But it is not quite on the path as it diverts inland. We went in anyway and sat in the garden with the same beer again, for 15p more, before returning to Chideock.

Ferrybridge to Swannery

31/03/12 A new year and time to resume the pubcrawl with a leg with no pubs. Actually we had bypassed this place in Weymouth because we had already had enough when we reached it.

The Old Rooms Inn is next to the New Rooms Inn. But that is now a coffee house. We had a Tom Brown (4%) and Reverend James (4.5%) for £5.70, probably. Sid wasn't sure and the bar staff didn't seem to be either. Beer was nice. Part of the Orchid pub chain.

We then parked in Wyke Regis before returning to the Ferrybridge and resuming the walk. This leg follows the Fleet Lagoon most of the way. The novelty of walking on the hard, dry path between holiday parks and looking across the water at the large bank of pebbles that is Chesil Beach wore off quite quickly. The signs giving the distance to Abbotsbury seemed to fluctuate in their accuracy. The path eventually headed inland before a descent towards Abbotsbury.

We left the path just past the swannery and went to the Ilchester Arms for a couple of expensive pints. Then it was the X53 back towards Wyke Regis and the Albert Inn.