SWCP - Day 49 - Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove (bus)

Steps/ Distance: 18,315 12.35 km
Rating: easy

Today, a beautiful sunny day, I took the bus to Durdle Door entrance and walked down to the durdle (pierced rock - Durdle means pierce in old English). This was particularly special to me because my Mom and I were here, at Durdle Door 50 years ago and we both remember it well. She has been looking forward to my reaching this site.

But first...

This morning I walked to the Portland Castle. It wasn't open until later and I wasn't keen on seeing the cannons (pretty sure they're similar to other cannons in other castles 😁). So, I just took a few pics from the outside.

I also checked out the marina, including the info board about the 2012 Olympics sailing competition held here in Weymouth and Portland Harbour.

There was also a very cool boat garage or possibly vending machine? I couldn't see where you'd put the coins, but it was cool to see the forklift pull out a boat from the top shelf and deliver it to the water.

Then, I walked over and boarded the bus at a stop immediately outside my hostel. This bus delivered me to the King's Statue in Weymouth where I caught the Jurassic Coaster bus to Durdle Door.

And sent a few pics back to my Mom, who said that was exactly how she remembers it.

There's a good path, including the Lulworth Steps, from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove. And on to Stair Hole and the stone monument commemorating the Jurassic Coast as a world heritage site.

Marker showing 28 miles to South Haven Point, where I'll find the end of path marker in a few days

I found a nice bench and ate the packed lunch from the hostel, while I watched the boat rides that take people out to Durdle Door.

And so decided I wasn't quite done with the Durdle.

It was amazing to me how much more it looked like it's nickname, the drinking dragon, from the water side. The eye is even perfectly placed.

Perfect weather and great memories.