| Charmouth & Lyme Regis, Dorset Friday 24th April 2009 This was the day of our first real adventure with Christine and Dorothy! Our destination was Charmouth near Lyme Regis. Most of the stuff had been loaded into the caravan the day before like clothes, non-chilled food & wine. Kenny bought another lightweight gas bottle so we now had 2 and because the battery hadn’t been charging properly and was still under warranty that had been replaced. Chilled food was loaded into the small fridge which was almost bursting at the seams. With Kenny in charge of the food we had enough for 4 weeks not 4 days! Oil and water was checked and petrol filled to the brim. Christine and Dorothy were now ready for the off. The morning dawned bright and clear and last arrangements were made. As it wasn’t a long journey (just under 50 miles) we set off at 10:15. The journey was uneventful apart from one stressful moment when we had to pull over in a lay-by to sort out the extending wing-mirrors. After a few well-known expletives and much huffing and puffing we were back on our way. I had printed a route planner and map from the internet and the route was extremely easy, apart from the final roundabout. Take the first exit to Charmouth was clearly stated so we followed the instruction and drove through Charmouth and out the other side but found no sign of Wood Farm. So we tried again. Back at the roundabout we took the turning to Lyme Regis. Still not right. So we turned round and made our way back up the hill to the now very familiar roundabout. It was only on the approach from Lyme Regis that we saw the sign to Wood Farm. It was the third exit not the first! Still don’t quite understand how the instructions could be so wrong. We arrived at 12:00. Kenny checked in and we were shown to our pitch and what a lovely position. On rising ground we had lovely views across the site to the hills beyond. But then disaster struck. Kenny had tried to manoeuvre the caravan onto the pitch by reversing and turning quite sharply. Unbeknown to either of us the cable connecting the lights from the car to the caravan had been pinched somehow by the tow- bar and almost severed. There was nothing we could do at that moment in time so we used the motor mover to complete the process and continued setting up. I unpacked the inside while Kenny did the water supplies and other outside necessities. When we finally sat down for a sandwich and a very welcome cup of tea we realised just how stunning the view from inside the caravan was. |
| Caravan Adventures with Christine & Dorothy |
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Being so high up there was no one
to block the view and we felt very
privileged to have such a lovely
pitch. What had we done to get
prime position? Who cares we had it!
to block the view and we felt very
privileged to have such a lovely
pitch. What had we done to get
prime position? Who cares we had it!
Our first trip out was to Charmouth to get something to repair the broken cable. A caravan shop nearby didn’t have quite what we needed so we took a
look down the High Street and found a small hardware shop. We ended up buying connector blocks, pliers and some insulating tape (Note: remember
to pack a tool kit!).
Kenny decided to leave the actual repair until later as we wanted to explore Lyme Regis beach. We had been to Lyme Regis before for days out but
never spent any time on the beach. On our way through town we got some last minute items like a lottery ticket and map of the area along with a lovely
book about the Jurassic Coast. We saw signs for guided fossil hunt walks so decided to call into the museum and book ourselves on one. Saturday at
10:45 on was the most suitable so we booked and would pay on arrival in case the weather was bad.
look down the High Street and found a small hardware shop. We ended up buying connector blocks, pliers and some insulating tape (Note: remember
to pack a tool kit!).
Kenny decided to leave the actual repair until later as we wanted to explore Lyme Regis beach. We had been to Lyme Regis before for days out but
never spent any time on the beach. On our way through town we got some last minute items like a lottery ticket and map of the area along with a lovely
book about the Jurassic Coast. We saw signs for guided fossil hunt walks so decided to call into the museum and book ourselves on one. Saturday at
10:45 on was the most suitable so we booked and would pay on arrival in case the weather was bad.
Along the promenade we had an ice cream being true grockles and
although it was overcast and windy the weather was mild. We walked
through the car park and onto the beach where we saw some lovely
huge ammonite fossils in the rocks, too large to be removed. There
were also signs that people had been fossil hunting as we saw small
piles of broken rocks strewn around large boulders that had been
used as tables. Without the knowledge of what to look for and where,
we would have to wait for our expert guide to tell us the next day.
although it was overcast and windy the weather was mild. We walked
through the car park and onto the beach where we saw some lovely
huge ammonite fossils in the rocks, too large to be removed. There
were also signs that people had been fossil hunting as we saw small
piles of broken rocks strewn around large boulders that had been
used as tables. Without the knowledge of what to look for and where,
we would have to wait for our expert guide to tell us the next day.
| Lyme Regis promenade from the museum steps |
| Lyme Regis museum (with turret) |
The campsite had its own catering van with fish & chips available from 17:30 onwards and being so exhausted from our walk around Lyme Regis,
along the beach and back up the hill to the car park, we decided to give it a try.
We relaxed in the caravan with a glass of red wine and listened to ghost stories on a CD Kenny had got from the library until about 18:30 when we
decided it was time to eat. The fish & chips were excellent, thoroughly recommended. We chatted about our day then, from our superb viewpoint, we
watched new arrivals setting up across the site. The most fascinating was a trailer tent that eventually grew into an enormous living space. Being up
so high we had a panoramic view over the lower part of the site and people-watching is something we both really enjoy. At one point Kenny got out the
binoculars but then decided it was more fun to watch in less detail!
We watched a DVD on Kenny’s laptop computer (saving money by not buying a TV) then set up the bed quite early with a thick duvet on top of the up-
turned seats which made a very comfortable mattress substitute. Heavy rain and high winds during night did wake us but overall we both had a good
nights sleep, although there were accusations of snoring which I’m sure weren’t true from my side!
Saturday 25th April 2009
Saturday dawned bright but it was obvious there would be showers interspersed with sunny spells from the start. We both used the campsite’s
excellent toilet and shower facilities then Kenny cooked a breakfast of fried eggs and mushrooms on toast with coffee and followed by toast and jam. It
was very pleasant with the sun shining in and looking out across the hills. However, we could see black clouds looming in the distance so the weather
would be true to the forecast. It would rain at some point.
Kenny decided he would repair the damaged cable while the sun was shining and finished just in time before the first downpour. Now that was sorted
we got ready to enjoy the rest of the day. Our fossil hunt walk started at 10:45 so we got our walking gear ready. Robust walking shoes are a must for
walking along the shingle beach and we also took shower-proof coats and a rucksack with an old towel, bottled water and some snacks. We joined the
rest of the group (14 of us in all) outside the museum where our guide, Paddy, collected us.
Paddy led us to the beach towards Charmouth and stopped periodically to explain the geology of the area and how the fossils were formed millions of
years ago. We didn’t need hammers as fossils of ammonites, belemnites, crinoids and vertebrae could all be found along the beach on the surface
where the sea continually washed them out from the cliffs. All we had to do was spot the fossils, no easy task for us beginners. But after a while we
had worked our way along almost half of the beach and everyone had found something. Because some of the rock containing the fossils is relatively
soft, after high tides and stormy weather new deposits are brought to the surface so each day it was possible to find some good specimens. We
gradually worked our way along the beach and although it was very windy and we got caught in a couple of showers, everyone found their own fossils.
We both found ammonites and belemnites. Some of the smaller ammonites in pyrite (fool’s gold) were very attractive. Paddy collected some larger
rocks along the way and at the end of the walk (nearly 3 hours later) he showed us how to split the rocks with a hammer to expose any ammonite
fossils hidden inside. Correct use of a specialised hammer is essential. Most didn’t have anything inside, but the last and biggest one did. Paddy split
out all the separate fossils he could to give everyone their own piece to take home.
along the beach and back up the hill to the car park, we decided to give it a try.
We relaxed in the caravan with a glass of red wine and listened to ghost stories on a CD Kenny had got from the library until about 18:30 when we
decided it was time to eat. The fish & chips were excellent, thoroughly recommended. We chatted about our day then, from our superb viewpoint, we
watched new arrivals setting up across the site. The most fascinating was a trailer tent that eventually grew into an enormous living space. Being up
so high we had a panoramic view over the lower part of the site and people-watching is something we both really enjoy. At one point Kenny got out the
binoculars but then decided it was more fun to watch in less detail!
We watched a DVD on Kenny’s laptop computer (saving money by not buying a TV) then set up the bed quite early with a thick duvet on top of the up-
turned seats which made a very comfortable mattress substitute. Heavy rain and high winds during night did wake us but overall we both had a good
nights sleep, although there were accusations of snoring which I’m sure weren’t true from my side!
Saturday 25th April 2009
Saturday dawned bright but it was obvious there would be showers interspersed with sunny spells from the start. We both used the campsite’s
excellent toilet and shower facilities then Kenny cooked a breakfast of fried eggs and mushrooms on toast with coffee and followed by toast and jam. It
was very pleasant with the sun shining in and looking out across the hills. However, we could see black clouds looming in the distance so the weather
would be true to the forecast. It would rain at some point.
Kenny decided he would repair the damaged cable while the sun was shining and finished just in time before the first downpour. Now that was sorted
we got ready to enjoy the rest of the day. Our fossil hunt walk started at 10:45 so we got our walking gear ready. Robust walking shoes are a must for
walking along the shingle beach and we also took shower-proof coats and a rucksack with an old towel, bottled water and some snacks. We joined the
rest of the group (14 of us in all) outside the museum where our guide, Paddy, collected us.
Paddy led us to the beach towards Charmouth and stopped periodically to explain the geology of the area and how the fossils were formed millions of
years ago. We didn’t need hammers as fossils of ammonites, belemnites, crinoids and vertebrae could all be found along the beach on the surface
where the sea continually washed them out from the cliffs. All we had to do was spot the fossils, no easy task for us beginners. But after a while we
had worked our way along almost half of the beach and everyone had found something. Because some of the rock containing the fossils is relatively
soft, after high tides and stormy weather new deposits are brought to the surface so each day it was possible to find some good specimens. We
gradually worked our way along the beach and although it was very windy and we got caught in a couple of showers, everyone found their own fossils.
We both found ammonites and belemnites. Some of the smaller ammonites in pyrite (fool’s gold) were very attractive. Paddy collected some larger
rocks along the way and at the end of the walk (nearly 3 hours later) he showed us how to split the rocks with a hammer to expose any ammonite
fossils hidden inside. Correct use of a specialised hammer is essential. Most didn’t have anything inside, but the last and biggest one did. Paddy split
out all the separate fossils he could to give everyone their own piece to take home.
| and Golden Cap from Lyme Regis |
It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and one we both look
forward to repeating. The cost of the fossil hunt included entrance to
the Lyme Regis museum which we decided to visit another day.
Paddy also runs a Fossil Workshop providing educational talks on the
geology and fossils of Lyme Regis. He is based at 55 Broad Street,
Lyme Regis along with
We got back to the caravan after 15:00 and had our by now very late
lunch of pasties freshly made in a bakery in the town and a salad.
The weather was beautiful by then, although still windy, and we sat
and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon and evening being too tired
to want a walk or drive anywhere else. Tomorrow we would take our
new fossil hunting expertise to Charmouth beach.
forward to repeating. The cost of the fossil hunt included entrance to
the Lyme Regis museum which we decided to visit another day.
Paddy also runs a Fossil Workshop providing educational talks on the
geology and fossils of Lyme Regis. He is based at 55 Broad Street,
Lyme Regis along with
We got back to the caravan after 15:00 and had our by now very late
lunch of pasties freshly made in a bakery in the town and a salad.
The weather was beautiful by then, although still windy, and we sat
and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon and evening being too tired
to want a walk or drive anywhere else. Tomorrow we would take our
new fossil hunting expertise to Charmouth beach.
| Charmouth beach with Golden Cap in the distance |
| Paddy showing us how to split rocks and find fossils inside |
Sunday 26th April 2009
We woke Sunday morning and the weather was still unsettled but the wind had died down so we decided to spend all day fossil hunting along the
beach. We showered and had breakfast (egg & mushroom on toast coffee and toast and jam again) and got all our gear together. This time we were
more prepared and wore our gaiters over the bottom of our trousers and took water, sandwiches and chocolate biscuits. We were early and got to the
Heritage Centre car park by 09:30. The tide was still high and in too far to get onto Black Ven beach, so we walked a little way in the other direction
only to be cut-off by a landslide that had happened last year and closed off the way through. We returned to the Heritage Centre and by then the fossil
shop was open so we went in for a browse. Kenny became very enthusiastic at the sight of complete ichthyosaur skeletons and rushed to buy a
hammer. The motivation to find something big and have it named after him was spurring him on! I pointed out that the hammer could probably be
purchased in our local DIY store at half the price but he was undeterred and proudly grasped his new tool, his gateway to fame and fortune!
The beach at Black Ven was now passable so we started our slow search along the shingle towards Lyme Regis. Walking on the shingle was hard
going and we struggled on towards a part of the beach with large boulders interspersed with smaller stones and pebbles. We stopped for a second to
discuss how far we had walked and I was saying how disappointed I was that we had so far found nothing.
We woke Sunday morning and the weather was still unsettled but the wind had died down so we decided to spend all day fossil hunting along the
beach. We showered and had breakfast (egg & mushroom on toast coffee and toast and jam again) and got all our gear together. This time we were
more prepared and wore our gaiters over the bottom of our trousers and took water, sandwiches and chocolate biscuits. We were early and got to the
Heritage Centre car park by 09:30. The tide was still high and in too far to get onto Black Ven beach, so we walked a little way in the other direction
only to be cut-off by a landslide that had happened last year and closed off the way through. We returned to the Heritage Centre and by then the fossil
shop was open so we went in for a browse. Kenny became very enthusiastic at the sight of complete ichthyosaur skeletons and rushed to buy a
hammer. The motivation to find something big and have it named after him was spurring him on! I pointed out that the hammer could probably be
purchased in our local DIY store at half the price but he was undeterred and proudly grasped his new tool, his gateway to fame and fortune!
The beach at Black Ven was now passable so we started our slow search along the shingle towards Lyme Regis. Walking on the shingle was hard
going and we struggled on towards a part of the beach with large boulders interspersed with smaller stones and pebbles. We stopped for a second to
discuss how far we had walked and I was saying how disappointed I was that we had so far found nothing.
At that moment I looked down and there it was our first
find of the day, a perfect ammonite almost as big as the
palm of my hand! I rushed it down to the retreating waves
(Note: always start your fossil hunting on these beaches
on a falling tide) and washed away the mud from my
treasure. My feet got wet as the waves caught my boots
but I didn’t care, I was happy and grinning from ear to ear.
find of the day, a perfect ammonite almost as big as the
palm of my hand! I rushed it down to the retreating waves
(Note: always start your fossil hunting on these beaches
on a falling tide) and washed away the mud from my
treasure. My feet got wet as the waves caught my boots
but I didn’t care, I was happy and grinning from ear to ear.
We continued towards Lyme Regis and the weather remained grey and overcast with an
intermittent light drizzle at our backs. We saw a handful of other enthusiasts but on such a large
expanse of beach we never met, we just saw each other in the distance. Next we found a
beautiful crinoid (a fossilised sea-lily). It was beautiful. Later we bumped into Paddy with his
Sunday group and he was happy to inspect our finds and explain what they were to us and his
group. I wanted to encourage them that anyone could find fossils of that calibre just by looking.
We had been in Paddy’s group the day before and that was the full extent of our expertise!
intermittent light drizzle at our backs. We saw a handful of other enthusiasts but on such a large
expanse of beach we never met, we just saw each other in the distance. Next we found a
beautiful crinoid (a fossilised sea-lily). It was beautiful. Later we bumped into Paddy with his
Sunday group and he was happy to inspect our finds and explain what they were to us and his
group. I wanted to encourage them that anyone could find fossils of that calibre just by looking.
We had been in Paddy’s group the day before and that was the full extent of our expertise!
We had walked a fair way along the beach and decided to continue on into Lyme Regis to look round the museum with our free ticket from the day
before and have our sandwiches on the promenade there. The day had brightened considerably by then and the majority of the sky was blue and the
with the greedy pigeons and a lone sea gull, we took a slow walk back along the beach towards Charmouth. We found some large belemnites but feet
ached!
I know fossil hunting is not everyone’s cup of tea but until you try it you never know. There are lots of other things to do around Lyme Regis and
Charmouth so it is well worth a visit.
We decided to spend the evening relaxing and once inside the caravan we realised how much both of us had caught the sun on our faces (Note: wear
a hat even if the sun is not bright). After a dinner of spaghetti Bolognese and a glass of red wine we watched another DVD on the laptop. This was our
last evening.
Monday 27th April 2009
Next morning we had been woken by heavy rain but by 10:00 it had almost stopped and we packed everything away before heading home. What fun
we had, can’t wait to return. We’ll be back!
Julie
April 2009
before and have our sandwiches on the promenade there. The day had brightened considerably by then and the majority of the sky was blue and the
with the greedy pigeons and a lone sea gull, we took a slow walk back along the beach towards Charmouth. We found some large belemnites but feet
ached!
I know fossil hunting is not everyone’s cup of tea but until you try it you never know. There are lots of other things to do around Lyme Regis and
Charmouth so it is well worth a visit.
We decided to spend the evening relaxing and once inside the caravan we realised how much both of us had caught the sun on our faces (Note: wear
a hat even if the sun is not bright). After a dinner of spaghetti Bolognese and a glass of red wine we watched another DVD on the laptop. This was our
last evening.
Monday 27th April 2009
Next morning we had been woken by heavy rain but by 10:00 it had almost stopped and we packed everything away before heading home. What fun
we had, can’t wait to return. We’ll be back!
Julie
April 2009
