Thursday 26th & Friday 27th July 2012
On Thursday afternoon the east side of Portland provided the shade we craved so we 'rocked up' at the Cheyne Weares Area.
Spot the climbers on Needyfields main cliff.
A short trek took us to the base of the cliff where we sampled the grubby delights of ‘Bundle of Joy’ with its weird knobbly rock followed by ‘Ocean Boulevard’ which was sustained throughout and has a hard start. My thuggish approach to this move left me with a bruised knee - I should have employed a less painful toe hook as demonstrated by Stephen.
Colin on ‘Ocean Boulevard’, Neddyfields Main Cliff and just having overcome his knee problem.
Before setting off to find a campsite we visited Dungecroft Quarry. Here for the first time I climbed on flowstone with stalactites of smooth reddish calcium carbonate, the kind of thing you would expect in a limestone cave.
Stephen on ‘Crazy Old Hippies’, Dungecroft Quarry, shortly before falling off and saying “Just checking your rope work, Colin!”
After pitching our tent with a gorgeous view of Chesil Beach we retired to the Elm Tree Inn, Langton Herring for a pint of Badger Ale and a fish pie only surpassed by that cooked by Liz.
Friday dawned overcast but turned out to be just as hot. As decided in the pub the evening before we set off for Blacknor Beach which is on the west side of Portland. Following an interesting scramble we eventually found the Lunar Park boulders pictured in the guidebook. After being completely defeated by Solar Flare (is it really 3+ !) we retired to Diamond Slabs and easier challenges in a beautiful setting.
Looking down ‘Diamond Geezer’!
After running out of drinking water we retreated up the long
slog to the car and a well-earned cup of tea.
slog to the car and a well-earned cup of tea.
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