The Rodwell Trail

We've been planning to do the Rodwell Trail for a little while, so as it was a fabulous sunny morning and we were up early, what better plan of action. The trail runs along the old GWR track connecting Portland with Weymouth and beyond, and offers spectacular views across the sea. It was quite blustery to begin and we had great fun watching the surfers on the bay, but half way cross the causeway the sky turned black and the wind built up to a fairly unfriendy gale. This was a bit of a challenge for Greg, and Miranda was none too pleased, but the Browns are not for quitting! We were pelted by hailstones and lashed by rain, and the wind at time knocked both Greg and Lewis off their bikes....

Taking shelter in a pub on the waterfront in Chiswell (The Cove House Inn), gave us a chance to regroup and watch the enormous waves breaking along Chessil Beach. Fortunately the pub had good food on offer and we had a tasty Sunday dinner, ..... and then the sun came out for the return leg!

Weymouth 2012

Taken on the waterfront at Weymouth after watching the 49ers, the 470s and the RS-Xs racing from Sandsfoot Castle. We had an excellent view of the inshore courses, and could even see the Fins right out to sea (but only just with binoculars.

Afterwards we walked along the Rodwell Trail down to Portland and mixed with some of the athletes as they came out of the compound. Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was a job staying awake by the end of the day!

Up and then up some more.

We tackled the Rodwell Trail some time ago, and the weather was rather rough, so today we thought we'd revisit it, and see if we could make it furthet south towards Chiswell. We certainly found the steep climb of the former railway that carried stone from the quaries on Portland. There's a great view of the Olympic sailing terrirory from here, and all the way down Fleet lagoon, but it was a bit of a challenge for Mipp. Great views from the top all the way down to Worbarrow tout and Kimmeridge Bay. Must remember that there's plenty of water on the port side even at low tide for Kayaking.

Chips in the harbour at Weymouth from Fritz and Chips, which had the German Olympic Training team parked almost outside - they are here in numbers already! Eight Vorsprung durch Techincs, but no boats in sight.

Onwards, Upwards!

I think this has to be my picture of the day. We were at Lepe, and Greg was climbing the equipment like a ferret shooting up a trouser leg.

Momentarily I caught his gaze and shot a frame, but as the light was dropping and I was using a manual focus lens my confidence in a usable image was not great..

And so I have been rewarded with a picture that captures the essential plucky charm that is Gregory!

We watched another episode in the 'Railway Walks' series tonight about Weymouth and Portland on the iPlayer. So very shortly we'll be taking a trip to explore the Rodwell Trail to see what we can learn about Portland stone quarrying history. Amazing to think we go kayaking here quite regularly, and didn't know about the disused railway track.