Matt Warren
Our last day on the South West Coast Path began with a now-familiar ritual—another fantastic breakfast at Renato’s, who’d looked after us brilliantly during our short stay. As we stepped outside to put our walking shoes on for the final time, we heard the unmistakable sound of party blowers and looked up to see Soph and Caz appearing like a burst of confetti—wearing T-shirts with our actual faces on, full of cheers, laughter, and pure joy. We hadn’t even taken a step, and already we were smiling ear to ear.
After fond farewells to Renato, we set off to rejoin the path one last time. It was a strange mix of emotions—relief, excitement, disbelief, and a little sadness. The thought of sleeping in the same bed for more than one night was appealing, but saying goodbye to the incredible coastline that had been our home for over two months was genuinely tough.
Wearing party hats and with Trace covered in glitter (which we thought made us look festive, though most passersby wished us a happy birthday), we turned more than a few heads! But that sense of fun really set the tone for the day, and having Soph and Caz with us brought a completely different energy. They kept us laughing, chatting, and distracted from any creeping melancholy. Their presence turned what could have been a bittersweet plod into a celebration.
The route was classic Dorset—undulating chalk cliffs, big skies, and blue seas stretching to the horizon. We made our way through Dancing Ledge, Durlston Country Park, and then into the always-bustling Swanage. The sun brought the crowds out, and we took every opportunity to pause, soak it in, and grab a celebratory pint or two. Every stop became a toast to the miles behind us and the memories we’d made.
Somewhere along the way we bumped into Matt and Robin, a lovely couple from Texas we’d first met just the day before on one of the toughest stretches of the walk. Today, we caught up properly, and it was so nice to share stories and laughter with fellow finishers. Safe travels, both!
Eventually, we descended to Studland Beach, that final, long stretch—about 3 miles of soft sand that somehow made the finish feel both agonisingly close and oddly far. Off in the distance, the South Haven Point marker stood quietly, waiting. But not before one last surprise—Knoll Beach, the naturist section! And while we’re all grown-ups, we couldn’t help a few giggles.
Soph and Caz gave us a moment of privacy by walking ahead, letting us finish these final few steps on our own. Predictably, emotions were high. Trace was struggling to keep it together, and I was caught somewhere between pride and disbelief. Together, we filmed one final video for our socials, then rounded the corner and crossed that last stretch of sand to the South West Coast Path Monument.
And just like that, it was done.
Soph and Caz were waiting with open arms and cameras, capturing the moment perfectly. Their support today was everything. They lifted us, laughed with us, and reminded us that even the end of a great journey can feel like a party. Soph and Caz, thank you from the bottom of our hearts—not just for today, but for being part of our story in the most meaningful way.
I don’t want to sound blasé about it, but it really was an adventure that was more about the journey than the destination. The end was simply the point where we stopped and returned to our normal day-to-day life — but the journey had given us so much. It showed us that we could do something like this, both physically and mentally. It showed us that, after 25 years together, we’re still just us. And it showed us that we have an amazing network of support. Our families and friends have been nothing short of incredible. We felt so lucky for every person who took the time to come and see us, for all the lovely messages of support we received throughout, and of course, to anyone who donated to the wonderful work of St Luke’s — thank you so much.
Until next time. 😊
