SWCP Journeys

Wonder on the South West Coast Path: A Poem from our Members

South West Coast Path Associationby
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Our members never cease to inspire us with their South West Coast Path stories. While many share their experiences through the popular Completers section of Trailblazing magazine, this month we received something a little different: a wonderful poem from Jackie Counter and Graham Green. Perfectly timed for National Poetry Day 2026, with its theme of Wonder, the poem beautifully captures the magic, commitment and endurance required for a journey along the 630-mile Coast Path.

Read Jackie and Graham’s South West Coast Path poem.

SOUTH HAVEN POINT WAS OUR START LINE
‘WRONG DIRECTION’ I HEAR YOU SAY
BUT WE LIVE IN DORSET, SO IT MADE SENSE
TO BEGIN OUR WALK THAT WAY

OVER HILLS AND OVER STREAMS
AND ESTUARIES TOO
WE GOT WET FEET A COUPLE OF TIMES
AND FELL OVER QUITE A FEW

UP ONE CLIFF THEN DOWN AGAIN
A ROLLER COASTER RIDE
SOME ENGLISH CARPET WOULD BE NICE
NOT LONG, JUST LUSH AND WIDE

TIME WAS NOT A MAJOR FACTOR
TWICE A YEAR AND SOMETIMES THREE
IT TOOK 12 YEARS TO FINISH IT
JUST THE PATH AND YOU AND ME

HOW WE USED HOTELS AND COTTAGES
TO REST OUR WEARY FEET
WHEN WE’D SPENT THE WHOLE DAY WALKING
AND WENT HOME TO EAT AND SLEEP

A man sitting on a wooden bench next to a large red and white sign that reads 'SOUTH WEST COAST PATH'. The setting features a few trees in the background and parked cars.

THE WEATHER WAS QUITE CHANGEABLE
IT’S ENGLAND AFTER ALL
WITH SUN AND RAIN AND WINDY DAYS
AND EVEN THE ODD SQUALL

EAST TO WEST THEN WEST TO EAST
WE WALKED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS
WHICHEVER MADE IT EASIEST
TO PLAN, GOT OUR ATTENTION

IDEALLY THE SEA WAS ON OUR LEFT
BUT IT SOMETIMES GOT AMUSING
WHEN WE CHANGED OUR MIND PART THROUGH A WALK
IT COULD GET QUITE CONFUSING

TRANSPORT WAS A BIT OF A HEADACHE
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE THAT’S FOR SURE
BUT WE MANAGED IT BETWEEN US
AND KEPT COMING BACK FOR MORE

A person wearing a purple jacket, colorful mask, and sunglasses sits on a boat with a view of the water and distant buildings, under a partly cloudy sky.

CARS AND TRAINS AND BUSES
WERE THE MODES THAT WE MOST TRIED
BUT WE SOMETIMES USED A TAXI
WHEN IN NEED OF A RIDE

OUR FAVOURITE TOWNS, DARTMOUTH AND BUDE
BOTH HAD A LOVELY FEEL
WE’LL GO AGAIN TO BOTH OF THEM
JUST TO RELAX AND HAVE A MEAL

OUR APPETITES WERE HEIGHTENED
BY THE EXERCISE AND FRESH AIR
BUT WE CUT DOWN OUR EXPENSES
BY HAVING TAKEAWAYS TO SHARE

WE TRIED TO SAVE SOME MONEY
BUT AT THE END OF EVERY DAY
WE AGREED THAT WE WOULD TREAT OURSELVES
AND GO OUT TO EAT AND PAY

THE TERRAIN WAS VERY VARIED
FROM EASY AND MODERATE TO SEVERE
BUT EVEN AT OUR ADVANCED OLD AGE
WE COPED WITHOUT TOO MUCH FEAR

A man sitting in a cozy room next to a stone fireplace, smiling and giving a thumbs up while holding a pint of dark beer.

WE USED OUR TREKKING POLES A LOT
TO STOP US FALLING OVER
BUT ON STEPS AND SHALE AND ROCKS AND MUD
WE CLUNG ONTO EACH OTHER

WE USED LOTS OF AIDS TO SEE US THROUGH
ESPECIALLY BLISTER PLASTERS
BY USING THEM WE DID AVERT
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTERS

A FINAL THANKS MUST NOW BE GIVEN
TO VOLUNTEERS ONE AND ALL
FOR THEIR TIRELESS WORK TO MAINTAIN THE PATH
AND ENSURE THAT WE DON’T FALL

WE’RE HAPPY THAT WE’VE FINISHED
BUT SAD IT’S OVER TOO
THERE’S LOTS OF THINGS WE WILL MISS
LIKE THE REMOTENESS AND THE VIEW

OUR HOLIDAYS WILL BE DIFFERENT NOW
WE’LL FIND OTHER WALKS INSTEAD
BUT THEY WON’T BE QUITE AS SPECIAL
AS SANDBANKS THROUGH TO MINEHEAD

By Jacke Counter and Graham Green

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