Kimmeridgian - of Kimmeridge.... It refers to a kind of black clay apparently, laid down in some geological age. A sedimentary rock, the Kimmeridgian clay has been tilted and weathered and sea worn and produced the distinctive East Dorset coastline of ledges. Exposed at low tides they look like causeways built across the bays at Kimmeridge itself and in Chapman's Pool.
It is square with 4 vault-ceilinged squares inside - one door, one tiny window (no glass), only candles for lighting. I bet attending service there in winter is a real test of faith.
From there eastward the coast is scarred with quarries....
....which have left some interesting holes and fabulous flat ledges for a sunny day by the sea.
Both bays are really only accessible on foot. At Kimmeridge a private toll road will get you to a carpark overlooking the bay, and it was from the toll booth that I started my walk on Saturday 4 May (my late father's birthday).
Above Kimmeridge Bay, a folly, Clavell Tower, stands near the clifftop of the headland. (It was moved back a few years ago to stop it toppling into the sea with the coastal erosion. These days you can rent it as holiday accommodation - see here for history and here for current views.)
At Houns Tout the path diverted inland to go round some seriously large mudslides where the path should have led down to the beach at Chapmans Pool.
Long story short some locals pointed out a shortcut that took a few miles off the diversion, but with one thing and another it still took two hours to achieve a goal I should have been able to arrive at in less than 15 minutes.
After a pause to admire Chapmans Pool I scaled another hill (and a few more), enjoyed a cuppa bought to support the 'Coastwatch' people on St Albans Head, had a lovely chat to a woman setting off that day to walk to entire south coast park (westbound), and admired the inside of the 800 year old (unmodified by the look of it) St Adhelms Chapel.
I finished my day at Dancing Ledge where I found a great swimming pool that needs a revisit.
(Sorry about photo overload - I'm way behind again so just gonna put this out there and move on....) Enjoy the sea pinks.
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| ...and rock climbing challenges... |
Wonderful photos. And wonderful weather apparently. The swimming pool looks soooo tempting.
ReplyDeleteHere in Scotland it's easy to forget that one can find some quite challenging walking routes even right in the south of England.
But I'm afraid that to any petroleum industry geologist, the Kimmeridge Clay means only one thing - it's the source rock for almost all the oil produced in the North Sea!
Cheers, Gail.
And I guess the onshore pumping at Wytch Farm in Purbeck is also exploiting that same geological feature.
DeleteA wonderful walk. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLove all the photos. Your amazing doing those long and hazardous walks
ReplyDeleteI’m pretty good at flat surfaces but even a slight incline and I’m out
Unfortunately as I do enjoy walking and exploring
I love your photos. Winding paths through England's green fields, those coastal cliffs and so much of interest to see.
ReplyDeleteyou can never show too many photos for me. I love seeing all of this, even thought the church tugged at my claustrophobia just thinking of sitting in the pews. amazing place, I love the stacked rocks holding up the ceiling of rock and that nature made swimming pool is awesome. every single photo today is awesome to me.... I am from the land of red clay, never seen black clay. and red clay when wet is like walking in glue
ReplyDeleteSt Aldhelm's looks very basic and damp - only for the very devout.
ReplyDeleteYup - indeed very damp in a couple of places. It does appear to be still in use but possibly only once or twice a year and otherwise maintained for the 'walkers' who pass by to pause and contemplate.
DeleteWhat an awesome walk - but by the look of some of your photos, you had some pretty serious hill climbing go on there at times!
ReplyDeleteNever apologize for posting a lot of photos, it was a treat to the eyes and heart! Such gorgeous scenery. Thank you for the tour!
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