Lyme Regis

The first thing you notice when you arrive in Lyme is the steep street that descends to the shore, then sharply bends away back up hill again, as though it got its toes wet, and didn't like the cold sea water.  If you are on a bus, it stops at the turning point, with a sea of stone walls separating the levels behind, and the beach just a few strides away.

Lets start by heading West.  The promenade is on two levels, and walking along the upper we squeeze past people sitting, eating ice cream and staring off to some unseen artifact on the horizon.  The lower path would have been easier, but then we would have missed the old buildings.

We soon pass the shops and the chairs, and can then look back at the historic buildings, and the distinctive ammonite shaped lampposts that we now spot everywhere.

The lamppost can even be found along the many paths through the park. It can be found in an elevated position, looking down on the hustle and bustle of the beach below.

Further on, we see the shingle shore turn to a sandbar, packed with people; and then the harbour, sheltered by the snaking stone edifice of The Cobb.

The Cobb has two levels, both sloping outwards to a drop into the sea. Whichever we choose we have that uncomfortable sense of unease from danger nearby.

So its a relief to return to shingle, following the shore to a rock platform filled with the spirals of dinner plate sized ammonites.

Back at the bus stop, we have the choice to explore the fossil shops and cafes of the main street, or follow the shore round a corner to grey coloured cliffs. If we choose the latter, we may just find our own fossil - as they are often found in the grey sticky clay. Ammonites and belamites are common, as are the lost shoes of anyone foolish enough to venture onto a mud slick after rain. I once spent an hour helping to pull someone out!