We couldn't possibly consider leaving the Isle of Purbeck on Saturday 31st May 2008, without visiting its other SOTA summit - Nine Barrow Down G/SC-013.  From Swyre Head G/SC-012, Jimmy took me back through the stunning village of Corfe Castle, and then eastwards on the B3351. We found a suitable pull-in for the car directly opposite the start of the public footpath at SZ008818.

       

This was a pleasant green bridleway, curving around including a small wooded section, and out onto the open fell. Underfoot was firm, dry and mostly well-trodden, making at suitable for our chosen footwear of sandals. On the crest of the ridge, it was necessary to switch back and ascend towards the masts. Jimmy looked long and hard for the trig point, but there was no evidence anywhere, despite its position being clearly marked on the OS 1:25000 sheet OL15.

   

We gave up on the trig point, but took some photos and enjoyed the splendid views over Poole harbour. Calls on 2m FM produced just one contact each, to my surprise given the levels of activity noted from Swyre Head G/SC-012 earlier. We retreated to the field in-between the summit ridge and the Purbeck Way footpath and set up the 80m dipole. Again, I made plenty of contacts on CW, then handed over to Jimmy, who was able to get only one of the three he needed on SSB, but a local net that sprang up on 145.1875MHz (simplex) provided him with further QSOs.

   

Descent to the car was fairly quick, and we were on our way home. Well, sort of, for we were not done just yet. The plan was to visit Dundry Down G/SC-010 near Bristol for an easy summit, then return north using the M5 and M6.  Thanks to the following stations worked using 5 watts: