South West Coast Trail - Around Isle of Portland

November 2, 2021 I start the second leg of the South West Coast Trail and circumnavigate the Island of Portland. Turned out to be about 17.4 miles, so a long day when I haven't been hiking those distances. Felt good though.

Crossed the Ferry Bridge - which until recently paved - was a rope ferry used to cross about 30 feet of fast moving current which is between the mainland and Portland. There is a natural pebble barrier between the mainland and the sea and which captures the Ferry wetlands/lake.

Portland is where the limestone blocks were quarried which were used to build many old well known London buildings like St. Pauls and Buckingham Palace. Portland Cement carries the name more for the color than for other qualities.

I hiked by the prison and over to Portland Bill's lighthouse where I had lunch at the Lobster Pot. The quarries are rather spooky. There are also many instances of WW defence still visible. One of the highlights was looking at a ruined 12th century church that had a number of pirate graves.

Weather was wonderful with views back to the Jurassic Coast and into the ocean.