Lulworth

It's a sunny Spring Monday in May and – joy! – I am off to West Lulworth for three days of rambling with fellow members of the OFS.

I have already made a brave decision - I will do three 'hard' walks. As always, the anticipation of setting off into the (relatively) ‘unknown' prompts a small feeling of apprehension accompanied by the sense of impending achievement. Perhaps, I should adopt a more philosophical stance , as explored by Frederic Gros in his book 'A Philosophy of Walking', to help me along the way - and to divorce myself from the idea that a long walk is 'hard work'. Better to see walking as a form of escape from the idea of identity, a moment of serenity that comes with simply following a path, a life "scoured bare"; in short, a form of pure living. That sounds just the ticket!

So Day One dawns and the delight of striding out from the village of Kingston in the direction of Corfe Castle awaits. I have four companions for a walk that will turn into something of an unrelenting battle against the wind, over Ballard Down to Studland Bay, taking in Old Harry Rocks en-route.

Serenity ?

Food for thought, as I sit drinking my hot chocolate at a calm and sheltered beach cafe at walk's end.

Face 'scoured bare' - absolument !

So to Day Two and a change in the weather and an 'escape', again with four fellow 'puritans', into the wind and, occasionally, driving rain. It's that 'scoured bare' feeling again as we walk steadily along the Wessex Ridgeway following the Cerne Trail. We meet no-one until we are nearly home and dry when we chance upon two other escapees heading for Cerne Abbas and refreshment.

Mine goes down a treat - chocolat chaud.

Walking back to the bus I catch a glimpse of the gentleman, holding a cudgel, carved into the hillside. I search for a meaning.

Day Three; the sun is shining and the wind has abated. I bottle out of wearing my shorts, rationalising that the footpath will be strewn with nettles. Today, we are a somewhat larger party.

We set out from Weymouth, where the bus has dropped us, and set off down the SW Coastal path; destination Lulworth. This is the simple, pure life, meandering along the cliff top, oblivious to the ups and downs!

Photo: Liz Adams

Who's counting the feet ascended? Not me. I thirst for that first sight of Durdle Door. A chance to reflect on the power of nature!

Then heading home for that final hot chocolate and peace of mind and body.

A wonderful holiday, warm and friendly companions and a sharper appreciation of French existentialist philosophy!

Peter Pettit