Mottisfont, Nr Romsey

Monday 25th January 2016

We made the most of out National Trust membership and had a wander around the garden at Mottisfont this afternoon to see the snowdrops that are just coming into bloom.  There were a fair few out but there are lots more still to come.  The River Test runs through the gardens of the house which is an 18th century home with a medieval priory at it's heart.  

The River Test.

Mottisfont.

And with snowdrops in the foreground.

There was plenty of colour around despite the cold.

And interesting shaped plants.

There are some very impressive old trees in the grounds.

The cellarium in the Abbey, quite dark and atmospheric, with quiet monk music playing in the background (the flash makes it look lighter!)

Tyneham Village and Worbarrow Bay

Saturday 23rd January 2016

This quote is taken from the Tyneham Village information leaflet - ' Before the Second World War, Tyneham was just one of many small isolated villages Dorset villages.  It's residents led a simple life, relying mainly on farming and fishing for their livelihood, oblivious to the future events which would give their home a special place in history.  in 1943 the villagers were moved out by Winston Churchill's War Cabinet prior to the area being used for D-Day preparations.  They never returned.  Today the village is part of the MoD Lulworth Ranges, only the empty buildings remain, trapped in a time warp which has protected the area from many of the modern developments that, elsewhere , have changed the face of the countryside'. 

Tyneham Village is mainly open at weekends, when the firing range is not in use.  Today we had a good look round and then walked on down a mile or so to the coast to Worbarrow Bay, a very picturesque place.

Each house contains an information board with details on it of who lived there in the censuses of 1891 and 1901 and who last lived there, together with photos of some of  the people, it was very interesting.

Post Office Row now.... 

and the same row of houses in 1908.

A public phone box was installed outside the post office in 1927 and apparently it caused quite a stir!

The school house.

The inside of the school house has been re-created in the style of the 1920's.

However I'm not sure about rook pie!

My absolute favourites, snowdrops.

Tyneham Church.

Very intricate carvings on the walls.

Can't argue with that!

Worbarrow Bay.

Pondfield Cove.

A lovely place to spend time, it would be nice to come back when it's a bit warmer and sit on the beach and just watch.....

Arne Nature Reserve

Friday 22nd January 2016

The weather this afternoon was in total contrast to that of this morning, it was dull and miserable early on and by the afternoon there was sun and blue sky.  We had another visit to the RSPB Arne Nature Reserve near Wareham,  the information leaflet says that Arne nature reserve is a peaceful place to spot wildlife on a peninsula that juts out into Poole Harbour.  

In the car park there is an information point where you can find out the latest bird sightings from very helpful volunteers who are always keen to help you make the most of your time at Arne. Spoonbills and Avocets were spotted in the morning so we were hoping to see these from the hide on the waters edge.  Unfortunately all we saw at the hide today was a mallard - maybe because the tide was out quite a long way? - there's always next time!

From Shipstal Beach, looking towards Round Island.

A curlew.

Shipstal Beach with the Purbeck hills in the background.

And seen from above.

There were masses of grey squirrels about this afternoon, running, climbing and eating - I would love to take the credit for this photo of a squirrel in a proper squirrel pose but unfortunately I can't, my husband has a far better camera for zooming in!!! (it's just a shame about the barbed wire in front of the squirrel)

This very good looking stag sika deer wasn't too bothered by us, we got quite close, considering we are used to deer in the New Forest making a run for it even if we are a long way in the distance!

He was probably glad to see the sun and to dry out after this morning's rain!

Looking across the marshland towards the bird hide.

All is calm!

and reflective.

I can thoroughly recommend this place, there are a variety of trails to follow that take you through all sorts of habitats with fantastic views across Poole Harbour.  Definitely worth a visit

A Couple of Days in Purbeck

Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th January 2016

We had  a lovely couple of days out and about in Purbeck recently, and for the first time in a while there was blue sky and sunshine, perfect for walking,( just a bit cold!)  On Wednesday we parked at Worth Matravers, a village that still looks like something straight out of a Thomas Hardy novel, and had a three mile walk out to the coast at Chapman's Pool, along to St Aldhelms Head and back.  As we've had such mild weather this winter so far the biting cold wind today came as a bit of a shock to the system but never mind it blew away the cobwebs that's for sure!

The rolling green lush countryside of Dorset.

Chapman's Pool.

As it was so clear, there were fantastic views along the coast today.

Out of nowhere came a short sharp shower, and a perfect rainbow.

The end of the rainbow seemed to be somewhere over Worth Matravers, I wonder if anyone was lucky enough to have found the pot of gold?

We walked on past the quarry and along the track back to the car, with no sign of a pot of gold anywhere!

On Thursday we had another beach walk at Studland.  It was again ideal weather but a little less cold than yesterday in the wind.  

The sea was a quite high but still two hours from high tide.

Bournemouth way off in the distance.

Looking towards Old Harry Rocks.

From the dunes.

We had a brief look round part of the nature reserve behind the sand dunes, but as we didn't have a lot of time this is somewhere we will definitely return to another day.