Dorset Weekend

The 22nd to the 24th of July 2011 was a walking weekend in Dorset.
Godlingston Heath is a vast area south of Poole Harbour, populated by deer and mountain bikers, oh and noisy golfers who bellow and guffaw at each other like loons. The first few pics were taken on Friday evening on a 6 mile strole along the heath, some of it past the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club. I saw several mountain bikers (to their credit they were on the bridleways), a few deer and a couple of walkers with their dog (off the lead despite it being the nesting season)

Some persons seem to be quite enamoured of their rusty tank parked on the heath. Put this in your front garden and the local planning authorities would soon be knocking on your door.

Looking over Arne and the inner section of Poole Harbour.

Sandbanks on the distance, one of the most expensive areas in the world for real estate.

The object of the walk was the Agglestone Rock which is perched in the middle of the heath and the subject of human vandalism, as usual.

Saturday's walk was quite different. The car park at the Heritage Centre at West Lulworth was quite full and the track along the SW Coastal Path was populated by tourists in designer clothes, ladies in short skirts and trendy shoes, the men in smart casual shirts and sandals.

Looking west towards the famous landmarks....

Durdle Dore

Swyre Head

Looking back, one of the most famous views in all England....Durdle Dore, Dungy Head (Lulworth) and far in the distance St Aldhem's Head.

Onwards over Bat's Head, showing Bat's Hole and Butter Rock from Swyre Head.

The cliffs are really impressive, Swyre Head is 98m, or 320ft in real money.

Looking down Middle Bottom, the next dip is west Bottom.....

But we thought this was the best....Scratchy Bottom, priceless!

Returning to Lulworth the sun showed up for a brief moment.

Sunday found us at Tyneham, the ghost village taken over by the military in WW2 for training purposes. It is still very much used today, but open usually at weekends. The School is kept up together as an exhibit of times past.

Like the rest of the village, the rectory is a ruin.

Walking on to Worbarrow Bay the weather was threatening rain.

Not many beach bums for a Sunday in late July. The object of the walk was at the top of the hill, Flowers Barrow, built by the ancient Britons maybe 3000 years ago. The walk up the hill is deceptively steep, puff puff!

The view at the top is grand. A wartime lookout post is perched on the old fort ramparts. Worebarrow Tout is used today for target practice.

Looking west to Bindon Hill, over Arish Mell. (Who makes up these names?)

But the weather was still grey and misty. We could just make out Corfe Castle from the beer garden of the Scott Arms at Kingston. Lunch was lovely! Sunday Roast, very welcome.

End of post.

Rarity and Solitude, a Big Dunes walk

Just for a change it is nice to go for a walk where few others will be. Walney Island is the 2nd largest island in England, and whilst 15000 people live there you can bet your last shilling that very few or even none will be out and about either at the north or south extremities. So after many year's absence I was inclined to revisit the North End of Walney, just to see how things have changed over the years. You must prepare your mind for a day of solitude and quiet...there will be nobody else about!

Earnse Bay and looking towards Black Combe. There were a few visitors on the foreshaw, and a few dog walkers, as is usual.

But they have turned the area into a 'nature reserve'. The fence is the boundary of 'Walney International Airport'. My objective is several miles north of this.

These quite delightful tarns are in fact the remains of industrial gravel extraction. They are on the site of an old rifle range used for training in WW2. We used to go as boys to recover the bullets(full metal jacket, .303 rounds) from the sand, melt out the lead for fishing weights and use the nickel jackets for arrow tips. I suppose the site of a gang of youths, slung with longbows and a quiver of metal tipped, seagull feather fletched arrows would be cause for alert today. But that was before we moved on to air rifles.....

After walking across the island it appears someone has provided a nice seat. I was looking forward, not to a nice seat, but to the sight and sound of skylarks. There used to be many in the meadows hereabouts. I saw none and was disappointed.

But there were loads of fresh flowers abounding. From the 'seat' to the norther tip and back round to the western shore I saw nobody, apart from a lone canoeist, paddling away against the tide!

The northern tip of Walney was warm and sunny. The tide was up and there were no beach casters in sight.

Pretty wave patterns bely quite a dangerous beach for swimming. The current in this part of the channel can be quite strong. If you can bear the cold water (we used to) the western beaches of Walney are quite safe.

The northern/inner Walney Channel at high tide. I reflected on the changes to Barrow over the years. Family history says that my great grandfather was the driver of the little train that took the slag from the ironworks to dump on the slag bank which you can see to the left. That was in the 1800's. Today in the buildings on the right they build nuclear submarines. I wonder what another 100 years will bring.

Finally one of the best things about this walk is the stunning panoramic views of the Lakeland Fells. Above the sand dunes, from left to right, The Scawfells, Great End and Bowfell, and to the right, Dow Crags and Coniston Old Man. It is big country, with big skies and big views. 6 miles of flat easy walking, but plenty of time to reflect and relax, and no car parking fees!

End of post.

Back to normal!

It has been an ambition to 'do' Castle Crag, ever since Julia Bradbury included it in one of her excellent episodes a few year's ago. I had completed my business this morning and had a few hours for the trip this afternoon. On my way from Skelwith Bridge to Borrowdale I called by to look over the estate. Since the days of Thatcherism we have held shares in NW Water, now called United Utilities. United Utilities own Thirlmere, which is a primary source of water for Manchester. I have tramped over the Helvelyn range since I was a young boy and was always annoyed by the 'keep away' signs above Thirlmere. But if you can't beat em, join em. Our shareholding amounts to about one millionth of the company, but as a shareholder I need to keep a check on the executive.

Yup, all seems to be in order! Helvelyn, Lower Man and Browncove Crags from the West side of Thirlmere.

The object of my interest is the small twin peaks centre shot. Just the job for an afternoon stroll. Lovely Borrowdale.

But first lunch. This sign was on the wall of the pub. 

The weather was quite strange, Skiddaw was in outline for the early afternoon, but soon disappeared into the mist. 

Getting closer. I parked just outside Grange and took the bridleway to Rossthwaite.

It is not appreciated just how much industry went on in the Lake District in years gone by. Quarries like this are all around.

The guy laying the explosives was obviously testing his steam/air hammer. None of the holes was more than 6 inches deep...I measured them with my new Blackthorn walking stick. Thank you Sal!

The crag really gets imposing close up.

A few yards into the climb there is a magical spot with a seat and a memorial. The owner of this patch of ground 'gave' it to the nation and this memorial commemorates his wife. It has a magical air about it and is most peaceful.

Climbing higher....

At the summit there is a memorial to men of Borrowdale who got caught up in that shambles called WW1.

The Summit Cairn and the weather is back to normal!

Looking North to Derwent Water, Catbells to the left, Castlerigg to the right.

So the clouds got lighter for a few minutes. Yes I really walked in the rain in my sandals! We always as youths used to go mountaineering in our 'Plimsoles' or trainers as they would be called today. We claimed it allowed us to cover the ground quicker than with heavy boots. It was quite comfortable today, even though I got a few funny looks from the other togged-up walkers.

But at the old quarry at the summit of Castle Crag there are some quite strange but human creations....

The quarry is full of standing stones and inscriptions on them by their builders....'Tom' or 'Ben' or 'Adam'. Quite eerie really.

So when you see pics of Castle Crag, remember that there is a whole quarry full of standing stones up there, like sentinels, just standing there, doing nothing but remembering their builder. I wonder if they will be there still in a thousand years.......

End of post

Hotter than ever!

I have been coming to Coniston for more years than I care to remember....more than 50 years, and it has always been cold and wet, most of the time.
Well this week I have family business in the area so I have camped at the Park Coppice Caravan Site, which is in woods above Coniston Old Hall, where we, as a family have camped since the 1950's.
It is absolutely extraordinary that the weather is fine and warm and sunny. As I write these words it is 9.45pm and 21deg C!

Here we are, 250 miles up the M1/6 and £10.60 ripped off on the M6 Toll round Birmingham. Won't be doing that again. Seems like they have a thing against campervans. Once bitten, twice shy. No more M6 toll for me!

But the Park Coppice Caravan Park has been going since 1997, and recently had a major (well deserved) upgrade.

I always go and have a look up the lake (Coniston Water)...

And on this occasion had a wander down the path to Torver Common.

OK maybe it isn't bright and sunny, but it is warmer than at anytime I have known in these parts....

Next door is Coniston Old Hall, I might have a look in there tomorrow.......

End of post.......