Worth Matravers to Winspit

Good Friday 25th March 2016

The weather was glorious again today and luckily we had just about enough time to fit in a quick walk.  We parked in Worth Matravers, overlooking Woodhenge and although it was fairly early there were already lots of cars in the car park (by lunchtime it was full up with some  parking that needed to be seen to be believed!).  Despite the masses in the car park we managed to avoid everyone (well, almost everyone) and chose a route to Winspit that others didn't!

Not the best photo in the world but you get the idea, for details on Woodhenge, see here

The duck pond in Worth Matravers, a very tranquil place.

Looking towards Anvil Point Lighthouse at Durlston.

At Winspit there were a few climbers doing their thing - rather them than me!

It was lovely sitting in the sunshine..........

.....making the most of Good Friday!

I find this place a little eerie, I'm not sure why though.

I don't think this sort of thing helps!

Flowers are beginning to come out and there was plenty of birdsong in the hedgerows.

It's good to see a bit of colour.

I took this as I liked the bare trees against this very blue sky.

Returning to Worth Matravers we had a look around the church, St Nicholas of Myra.

and then went back to the car, where luckily we were not one of those blocked in!!!

A few Photos Around Swanage

Thursday 24th March 2016

We had a three mile walk into and around Swanage, taking in coffee, views and peace and quiet! Here are just a few photos.

Coffee at an excellent outdoor cafe, well hot chocolate actually, with a fab view.

Walking to Peveril Point, a view of the Pier,

and a modern new post box.

A cloudy view across the bay,

and a last view of the current Swanage all weather lifeboat - a new one is being delivered on April 8th.

North Beach, Swanage

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

Despite a lack of blue sky that we have got used to of late, we had a very pleasant walk along the North Beach at Swanage this afternoon.  The tide was still on it's way out so we were able to walk a fair way along the beach without worrying about being cut off. This end of Swanage Beach has more stones and rocks, so there is plenty to mooch about looking at.  

Near the Ballard Estate.

The beach from Shep's Hollow.

Getting arty!

The sun tried to put in an appearance.

Colourful sea anemones.

And another one!

Trying to be arty again!

You just have to add another stone to the pile.

Walking back along the beach we took time to watch what is happening below the Pines Hotel.  Stabilisation work has been under way here for months and looks as if it will go on for some time to come.  A new path and steps is being built from the Pines Hotel down to the beach.

It certainly doesn't appear to be straight forward, taking rubble away is dependant on the tides and seems to be done at low tide.

Found on the beach.

A nice way to while away a couple of hours.

Little Sea at Studland

Tuesday 15th March 2016

We returned to Studland again today to have a wander around the heath and take a look at Little Sea.  Little Sea lagoon is about a mile long and covers 32 hectares.  It was finally closed to the sea in about 1880 and now contains fresh water, being stream fed.  Apparently it is home to many waterfowl, but not today - we saw a couple of mallards, a great crested grebe and a couple of egrets in the far distance and that was it!  Never mind, in the wooded areas there were lots of small birds flitting about and singing contentedly. 

Little Sea on a beautiful morning.

It was very quiet on the heath, there was hardly a soul about.

This large carved seahorse stood alongside the footpath which at the moment is no longer a path but is more of...........

............ a river!

We sat watching for a while in one of the bird hides but although it was a lovely morning there was little bird life about so we gave up and walked back to Knoll  Beach where we sat outside of the cafe drinking coffee and taking in the view.

 Not a bad view?

Coffee over, as it was such a lovely day, we drove back to Swanage for a walk along the beach and pier,

where the grass has been cut in the parks, the ice cream parlours and outdoor cafes were removing sandbags, being cleaned,  and prepared, and Swanage is looking ready for the influx of Easter visitors, so let's hope the good weather continues.

A view from Swanage Pier.

The remains of the old pier and the crane in the distance where the new lifeboat station is being built.

I made a note of the birds we saw at Studland today, not a bad list I don't think.

Long tailed tits                                                      Wren                

Blue tit                                                                    Great crested grebe

Chaffinch                                                                Great Tit

Pied Wagtail                                                          Black headed gull

Green woodpecker                                               Egrets

Lesser spotted woodpecker                                Tree creeper

Robin (loads of!)                                                     Nuthatch

Cormorant                                                               Herring gull

Dunnock                                                                  Feral pigeon

Mallard

Corfe Castle to Church Knowle

Monday 14th March 2016

We had another lovely 4 mile walk this afternoon from the National Trust car park at Corfe Castle to Church Knowle and back.  On the walk we successfully found 6 geocaches, saw lots of sheep and a pen of very young lambs that I would guess were maybe only a day or two old (they were absolutely adorable).  It was a bit of a coat on.... coat off.....coat on ....etc sort of afternoon, warm in the sun but with a cool wind. The views were fantastic, proper Thomas Hardy country.

Corfe Castle

A couple who posed beautifully!

Looking back at the village of Corfe Castle.

An old lime kiln.

Thomas Hardy's country.

Swathes of primroses In the churchyard of the church in Church Knowle (far too many churches in this sentence but never mind!!)

Lastly, another favourite of mine, this gorgeous little bird was obviously used to people and was quite happy to sit and be photographed as he sang, as the light began to fade.