Portland – 8th April – 10th April 2016
The weekend weather was changeable; day time temperatures were chilly and the nights were even colder. In her bright pink, flowery festival tent Lizzy was well wrapped up, but still freezing, and she vowed to bring her hot water bottle whenever she was camping in future.
We (David, Alan & Lizzy) thought we were the first group to arrive at Sea Barn Farm Camping Site on Friday, but Gillian and Adam had decided to travel several days earlier to visit the sights. Once our tents were pitched we headed off to The Cuttings for the afternoon, where we tackled such delights as “Cheese and Pickle (4+)” and “Parsnip Soup (5)”. We gave “Little Chef” a miss.
Saturday morning was grey and blustery, and the majority of the group decided that Blacknor Undercliff would be sheltered and a suitable venue for the day’s activities. As we drove onto Portland the rain started and all resolve to climb faded away. We took shelter in The Old Post Office, now Cycleccino cafe where we sampled delicious cakes and great coffee. Forty minutes later and with uncertain weather Jason took us on a tour of East Fleet and the Dorset Heritage Coast. We finished the day with a return visit to The Cuttings Lower Tier and some lovely (not polished yet) routes.
The Turks Head at Chickerell, just a couple of miles from Sea Barn Farm was our refuge for Saturday evening. It was popular with the locals, but MKMC managed to “bag a corner”. The food was delicious and substantial – just what a pack of hungry mountaineers needed, and just as important, the pub was warm.
More strong winds greeted us on Sunday, so again, abandoning any plans to climb we went for a walk around the coast of Portland.
People attending: Alan (trip organiser), David H, Lizzy, Jason, Gillian F, Adam F, Mac, Sam, Gareth E-J, Susan E-J, Adam E-J.
Was an absolutely great weekend. Plenty of fun to have been had by all.