Day 0 – Saturday
So here I was, sitting on Platform 2 at Poole Station, waiting for the train to Dorchester to arrive. And arrive it did, only 7 minutes late. Today was going to be a good day.
One cannot consider an endeavour such as walking the South West Coast Path without enough sustenance. So I headed straight for the mecca of fine food and beverages that is Wetherspoons, and randomly picked a table. Now that I look at the number, I wonder if I chose wisely…?
After getting some coffee from some distance away and not having my bag stolen by a lady sat opposite, I returned to find a feast awaiting me.
Then headed to what the Telegraph once described as “one of the worst stations in Great Britain” – Dorchester West. I think it’s had a lick of paint since 1989, so now it looks slightly less terrible and slightly more characterless. Still, it’s somewhere to wait for your train to be late.
People start drinking early in Castle Cary. Saturday, midday, and there’s already at least 4 people somewhat worse for wear in the brick shelter behind me. In terms of station aesthetics, they’ve pushed the boat our here with not one, but two planters and some colourful flowers to draw your eye away from the metal fencing and scaffolding.
In case you were wondering where Taunton station is, it’s shown below – not sure if you can spot the sign, it’s quite small. I was waiting here for the number 28 to Minehead, which went along a really nice route next to the Quantock Hills and past stations on the restored Steam Railway. I probably should have taken some more photos, but I was just chilling and enjoying the journey.
The bus stop in Minehead was about 50 metres from the hotel. My epic sense of direction guided me swiftly in the wrong direction so it took me about 10 minutes to find the hotel. Skills.
I dumped my bag in the room, went wandering for supplies and found this old piece of metal on the coast. I wonder what it’s for?
After some chill out time, I met up with Chris – a friend from university that I hadn’t seen for quite a few years, but who was joining me for at least part of my walk.
We were both staying in the same hotel, so had dinner in the evening then headed back to our rooms to get a good sleep before kick-off tomorrow morning.