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.