beach

Saturday 14th March 2026 – Belgium Day 1 – De Panne to Middelkerke….

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A cold wind blowing all the while, cloudy in the morning but a nice bit of sunshine for most of the afternoon as we explore part of Belgium’s small coastline. We travel a short distance along the coast to the far end of De Panne to capture the sculpture and beach of Strand Canadezenplien….

Before moving a little further east to Plage Sint Idesbald and Koksijde Beach….

At the far end of Strand Westende we found an amazing park up for the night right beside the beach (though we did shuffle down a bit forfeiting an amazing view for the shelter of the dunes)….

After a quick cup of tea we ventured out for a lovely walk along the beach, enjoying the sculptures on Strand Westende….

Before heading eastwards along Hondon Strand to Middelkerke and it’s rather impressive looking Casino at the far end….

A walkway around the Casino affording great views along the fine beach of Middelkerke and off into the distance Ostend…

After having our tea we popped out to catch the setting sun before calling it a day….

Thoughts of the day:

  • These sculptures, though random do make a great focal point along this otherwise featureless long stretch of sand – well done Belgium – though a little tag telling you about them wouldn’t go amiss!
  • Unlike France, so far most of the ample parking, though cheap, is paid, but that might be because we are hugging the coast.

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 21
  • Miles walked – 8
  • Beaches – 6
  • Car parking – £2
  • O/N – £5

Friday 6th March 2026 – a trip into Lyme Regis…

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A grey and breezy day as we take a run down into Lyme Regis. A buzzy and pretty little coastal town with a nice long promenade and a fair bit of sand on the main beach at low tides….

We easily found parking (paid) just shy of the seafront and took a breezy walk first down onto The Spittles to the east of town where numerous fossil hunters were scouring the shores….

Under the watchful eye of Lyme Regis’s most famous fossilier – Mary Anning….

Heading back towards the town for followed the shore along Church Cliff Beach and Front Beach…

To the end of the promenade and Monmouth Beach, before heading back along Front Beach to the van and home…

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 13
  • Miles walked – 5
  • Beaches – 4
  • Car Park – £3
  • O/N – £19.45

Thursday 5th March – Bridport….

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After a morning spent on site doing stuff, we headed down into Bridport for the afternoon. Not the best weather, mostly grey and misty but dry and plenty good enough for a nice walk along the beach. Firstly we headed eastwards away from town towards Burton Bradstock, along the high sandstone cliff backed East Bay…..

Plenty of space for Tilly to have a good run around, before heading back towards Bridport’s West Bay resort where the sand turns into large banks of shingle (currently being dredged from the harbour area onto the beach)….

We wandered out along the harbour wall from where we were afforded magnificent views of those sheer East Bay cliffs….

On the other side of the harbour, West Bay beach was not as impressive….

We followed the raised promenade to the end of West Bay where unfortunately access to the long sand and shingle Eype Bay was closed due to recent rock falls from the soaring cliffs….

West Bay had a nice feel about it and was quite busy with no shortage of Fish & Chips, amusements and pubs it was clearly a popular venue for Bikers, many of whom were gathered along the harbour front enjoying the almost sunshine and said fish & chips!

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 23
  • Miles walked – 4.5
  • Beaches – 3
  • C/P – £3
  • O/N – £19.45