Decided that today was the day to try and find the "Cave of Carvings" at Luccombe on the Isle of Wight, I'd known of it's rough whereabouts for years and ironically used to play in another cave nearby as kids...
Anyroadup, I packed the new Maxpedition Typhoon backpack and set off...
Dumped the truck at the top of the Cliff near Shanklin Chine
Follow the path down to the beach, I'm heading for Horseshoe point in the distance...
Started at Fishermans Cottage Pub on the beach
an hour before low tide. Where I am going, the tide will cut you off, so best to allow plenty of time.
At Horseshoe Point. Horseshoe ledge stretches out into the 'oggin….
Now onward to Luccombe Chine, the beach of which is now only accessible from the beach.There is so much cliff erosion here that footpaths and steps fall off, and it is uneconomic to reinstate.
Im heading for the the part of the cliff where the trees start in the distance. The cliff is in two big steps and I have to find the way up the cliff onto the step, apparently a rope has been tied to a tree to assist ascent…..
Yer tis!
The cliff edge is "blue Slipper" clay, which as its name suggest is extremely slippery and contributes to coastal erosion…..its also a real effort to climb!
Before going aloft, time for a brew and eats. A chance to try the Trangia away from the garden and salad because I have had too many pies!
After a struggle up the lower cliff face I find an obvious track going into the bushes, which I follow and…success…….found it!
Its quite big but well hidden…...
Inside has been carved over the years, theres all sorts of speculation about the cave, Smugglers?, New Age travellers?, Hippies? no one knows…..
A gentle stroll back to the truck…….
My Fine Pedigree Chum, Harry (The B@st@rd) loved it, ran himself ragged and is filthy…..
Back in time for Tea and Medals……….
Anyroadup, I packed the new Maxpedition Typhoon backpack and set off...
Dumped the truck at the top of the Cliff near Shanklin Chine
Follow the path down to the beach, I'm heading for Horseshoe point in the distance...
Started at Fishermans Cottage Pub on the beach
an hour before low tide. Where I am going, the tide will cut you off, so best to allow plenty of time.
At Horseshoe Point. Horseshoe ledge stretches out into the 'oggin….
Now onward to Luccombe Chine, the beach of which is now only accessible from the beach.There is so much cliff erosion here that footpaths and steps fall off, and it is uneconomic to reinstate.
Im heading for the the part of the cliff where the trees start in the distance. The cliff is in two big steps and I have to find the way up the cliff onto the step, apparently a rope has been tied to a tree to assist ascent…..
Yer tis!
The cliff edge is "blue Slipper" clay, which as its name suggest is extremely slippery and contributes to coastal erosion…..its also a real effort to climb!
Before going aloft, time for a brew and eats. A chance to try the Trangia away from the garden and salad because I have had too many pies!
After a struggle up the lower cliff face I find an obvious track going into the bushes, which I follow and…success…….found it!
Its quite big but well hidden…...
Inside has been carved over the years, theres all sorts of speculation about the cave, Smugglers?, New Age travellers?, Hippies? no one knows…..
A gentle stroll back to the truck…….
My Fine Pedigree Chum, Harry (The B@st@rd) loved it, ran himself ragged and is filthy…..
Back in time for Tea and Medals……….
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