Come and look around see the sights.. hear the stories... and sponsor us :)

Enjoy

Chris, Leon & Dick

For more on the rules of cobbling click on the "Read More" link.

The rules that guide a cobbler are kept simple as possible (for reasons best known to those that know a cobbler ;)

Three rules are all it takes to keep us right on the cob.

1. The sea's always on our right (the devil's way according to our peer John Merrill)

2. Each cobbling leg must start and end with a pint of beer. The starting pint must be at the same place that you had your end of cobble pint on the previous leg.

3. We must try to use public transport to get to and from the start and finish points of our cobbling legs.

(A fourth unofficial rule is : No whinging!)]]> General http://cobblers.cowp.co.uk/index.php?itemid=1 Mon, 6 Oct 2008 22:00:00 +0000 http://cobblers.cowp.co.uk/index.php?itemid=21     

More coming soon...

Cob 12 photo album.

  

It started again wth four beers at the Ship Inn, Emsworth.

Chris had travelled down from the Lakes, meet the boy Horton on route and then Dickster in the pub... it was a bit noisier than at the end of last time with a load of lads largered up in the bar. Leon had booked us into a dodgy BnB 2 miles from town, we did Kebab:)

Its was just outside the pub where Dick fell over like a school boy next morning while calling home. Kate was pregnant with Fred, Harry just sarting to crawl... the lads with Chloe and Chris's littleuns may have to finish this wander in 30 years if we cop it. We were heading for West Wittering today across the flats and across Chichester harbour on the ferry into Itchnor. After 3 hours of walking, the ferry was not working. An extra wander would be needed to get around the harbour. A detour up and around Bosham and with a load of 'injenuity' got us into the Ship Inn at Itchnor. The afternoon was a 6 mile walk past West Wittering beach (Good old Caroline..:) and into East Wittering. WIth no accomidation around we took the bus back to West Wittering to check into the Homestead? England kicked the French in the six nations and we passed out...

The next morning we were to pass by Selsey and hopefully across Pangham harbour entrance... the tide was high and it would have been ambarasing if we tried to get across. Four miles around the outside, a cool pub to the North and a cruise along Bognor seafront got us to the Waterloo Arms next to the small pier at Bognor.

This cobble was a lot of flat, 28'ish wiggly miles for not much coastal distance. We had a laugh:)

Cob 11 photo album.

  

More coming soon...

Cob 10 photo album.

  

The excitement of Cob 8, was too much for Chris who cried of with a dogdy 'elbow' - "it was the right decision" he says. Dick & I arrived at The Ferry Bridge Inn where we'd finished last time at 8pm on Wed night. Live music being played by a Polish singer. Got our room above the pub & one too many ales went to bed... Thursday AM - Left early on a nice sunny day heading to Weymouth town centre, the first 1/5 miles was along the Portland Harbour. We stopped about 9am for breakfast in a cafe over looking the old harbour area - very nice, before turning round the corner into Weymouth seaside area, what a difference. Punch & judy stalls, deck chairs & empty beach huts. We continued along the beach front to Bowleaze cove, here Dick had spent many a holiday with his Nan in the caravans. Climbing up on to Redcliffe Point, we saw beautiful views & what can only be described as the best potential camp-site in the world - 8 fields of camping, open fires, dogs allowed & straw bails for windbreaks (we must return). We took lunch in a great place in Osmington Mills, an old 13th century inn - another great find. In the afternoon we saw great views of the coastline, eventually arriving at Durdle door, a place we'd always said would be great to get to on our Cobble around the coast. Camping in the wooded area, we grabbed our fish & chips & sat on a bench watching the sun disappear.

Friday - We pack up the tent & headed over the hill to Lulworth cove - another great day, hotter than Thursday. A steep climb up & around Lulworth cove to see it from the other side & it looked even better. In the distance we could still see the pub in Weymouth! Entering the Lulworthranges( an army firing range), we saw all sort of decomposed tanks, the fossil forest, a wonderful views on white steep cliffs. This morning was proving to be a tough day. Finally we got out of the ranges, safe again! Past the Oil Well, the UK's largest, extracting 42k litres of Oil every day, you know. Took lunch in Gaulter Gap, no shop lucky we'd bought pasties with us. We continued along Kimmeridge Ledges eventually getting to Chapmans Point. Finally flat we thought, that was until, Emmetts Hill a steep down followed by a steeper up, bloody Emmett. Out of water we were welcome of the Coast guards open day - nice cup of tea. Although the didn't seem to know what the Isle of Wight looked like - Hhmmmmm. Finally we said goodbye to the views of Weymouth & turned the corner to Swanage. A further mile or so & we got to the smugglers caves, a mass of caves used for trading after the bottom fell out of the stone industry. Just up the hill to Langton Mattravers & our camp-site for the next 3 days. Got there within 90 secs of Sarah arriving - what better timing. That evening had bite to eat in local pub & met Ben & Zoe.

Saturday - With 3 of us, Sarah joining for last day, we marched on from Dancing ledge to Anvil point, where a gin palace recently drove in to the rocks ! Turning the corner & passing the globe at Durlston Head, we had 11's in Swanage. Continuing through Swanage sea front, we climbed to see the fantastic Old Harry rocks. Stopping next at the start of Studland Bay for Ice Cream, we then continued along the beach for the next 2.5miles, a tough walk & passing the nudist beach was not a pretty sight either. Eventually we got to Shell Bay & the End/Start of the South West Coast Path, a great feeling with Minehead 580 miles the other way. We didn't stop there, we took the Ferry to Sandbanks & continued to Poole, passing the kite surfing in the harbour & expensive properties. Our last stretch was on the Solent Way, along the promenade on Poole eventually to finish at the Pier in Bournemouth, knackered from 17 miles of walking today, we finished with a nice cool beer in the Hot Rocks pub, Bournemouth.

Cob 8a photo album.

  

Cob 7 diary entry on its ways soon (we're just about able to talk about it now.. :0)

Cob 7 photo album.

  

Whilst not the longest leg, it certainly had the most legs, 24 in total, as Cob 6 proved to have 8 walkers & 2 dogs. For the first time Cobblers of Sarah, Abby, Mal, Anna & Emmett, as well as Max & Poppy the 2 cannines, leaving Paignton on a fresh sunning early Feb morning, would prove to be very rewarding. The first stretch along Paington see front was lovely, with the sun appearing from under the pier. A relatively flat first section soon brought us to Torquay & the amazing boats moored in the harbour. Thereafter the path rose gradually to Hope's Nose, some 5 miles from the start - legs still fresh. Our search for a cup of tea, kept us going to Babbacombe, where a lovely tea room, took our fancy, along with the Devon Cream Teas & Gluten Free cadbury cake.

Onwards to the model village, which unfortunately, took our concentration away as we ended up walking round in circles. From here on in the path came back to its normal undulating self, which after 5 miles, become more & more arduous. Even Chris an experienced & original Cobbler, found it slippery under foot as he took a fall, leaving a nice muddy patch on arse &
camera case. :-)

As the troops were beginning to rumble, we caught sight of Shaldon or more importantly the IRB ferry heading to our side of the river. Much to everyone's delight, we caught the ferry across the River Teign. Continuing along Teignmouth sea front, following the train line along sprey point, hoping that we'd be able to drill through the rock to get back to the road. To our delight a there was a tunnel waiting for us, which lead us to the main road. After one more long down followed by an up we strolled into the
town of Dawlish. A welcome sight as The Blenhiem, was the first building we came across in the town.

So tired that we even falling asleep at the Chinese & didn't hear any of the railway engineering work taking place all night (apparently).

Day 2 - We headed off leisurely to Dawlish Warren, following the train line once more. An amble around Dawlish Warren's nature reserve, brought us back to tea & some full-on doughnuts. Also had a play in the amusements, betting our well earned 2p's on the yellow horse. We soon realised that we had 2.5 miles to go to get to the Starcross Ferry & only 45 minutes to do so. So a very much quickened pace through Cockwood, soon found us looking for the Ferry [Closed for Maintenance] ! Bugger!

So as not to be beaten, we were able to catch the train to Exmouth via Exeter, finally getting to our final destination by 2pm. A good time to call it a day & a nice start for Cob 7. Beer in The Beach & the Grove.

Cob 6 photo album.

  

This was leg five of our trek and is dedicated to my Grandad who recently passed away. He was literally as tough as old boots and a symbol of strength and determination for me.

One of the many ailments that he fought with was cancer hence my wish to try to give something back for all the support and care he received. Hence I would really appreciate it if you can sponsor me with a donation to Cancer Research UK a world leading organisation dedicated to research into this disease that seems to touch so many people's lives. [sponsor me]

Many thanks for your support.

So far Cob 5 has raised over £700 pounds for Cancer Research UK.

Cob 5 photo album.

  

Cheeky early morning beer and bacon butty from Captain Jaspers got us underway from Plymouth on this this cobbline leg to Salcombe

Cob 4 photo album.

  

From "The Ship" Inn to the "Ship" in Plymouth... the first county border crossed.

Cob 3 photo album.