A survey in 2000 found at that time The South West Coast Path had 2,473 signposts, 302 bridges, 18 ferry crossings, 921 stiles, 26,719 steps and a total height climbed of 35,031 metres (nearly four times Mt Everest).
This trip: Brixham to South Haven Poole
Number of walking days: 13
Number of rest days: 3 – Exmouth, Lyme Regis, Weymouth
Number of kilometres walked: over 265 (not including rest days)
Number of steps taken: 378,5710+
Number of SWCP signs we saw: 936
Number of SWCP signs we missed: unknown but far too many
Number of bridges crossed: 71
Number of ferries: 3
Number of taxis: 1 Kimmeridge to Corfe Castle and return
Number of gates opened and closed: 187
Number of stiles climbed: 21
Number of steps climbed: 1,600
Number of swims: 5
Number of metres climbed: 6,764 m
Highest cliff climbed: Golden Cap 197m
Most metres climbed in a day: 874 Lyme Regis to Bridport
Least metres climbed in a day: 51m Bridport to Abbotsbury
Number of times chased by cows: 0 (they are better behaved in Dorset)
Cutest animals we saw: Grey squirrels
Best breakfast: Ranscombe House Brixham
Best dinner: Bull Hotel Bridport, gnocchi
Smallest breakfast: Otterton, only continental
The Bed & Breakfast that didn’t do breakfast: Quayside B & B Poole
Number of poached eggs eaten: 19 each
Prettiest town: Beer
Ugliest town: Paignton
Longest day: 25 km Abbotsbury to Weymouth
Shortest day: Swanage to Poole 12 km
Place I’d like most to go back to: Corfe Castle
Place I will never go back to: Paignton
Number of beds slept in: 15
Most comfortable bed: the one at the end of a tiring day
Least comfortable bed: the ones on rest days
Number of times we really got lost: getting out of Babbacombe
Number of times we couldn’t find our B & B: 3 (tired brain fade at the end of the day)
Number of times our bags left before us: 0
Number of places with no wi-fi: 1 Quayside B & B Poole
Number of days until we got sick of Full English Breakfast: 3
Number of Cornish Pasties eaten: 4,
Number of Cream Teas: 0,
Number of glasses of wine/beer/cider: 4 each (a very dry walk!)
Number of desserts eaten: 0 (gained too much weight last year)
Number of times a dog wanted our lunch: 4
Number of things we lost: drink bottle
Number of things we left behind in hotel rooms: 1 – Paul at Swanage (towel and socks)
The most luxurious accom: Ranscombe Hse Brixham & The Swallows Guest Hse Exmouth
The least luxurious accom: Quayside B & B Poole
Number of nettle stings: dozens for Paul wearing shorts, Barbara one on hand
Number of photographs taken by Paul 3954
Number of photographs taken by Barbara: 24
Articles of clothing not worn: 40%
Number of times we got absolutely saturated: 1 – Lulworth Cove to Kimmeridge
Most favourite drink during the day: fruit smoothie (Paul)
Most favourite drink during the day: Kleen Kanteen coffee (Barbara)
Number of times we ran out of water: Paul 2, Barbara 0