Fish & Swimming Ponds

Recycled ex oil drum herons!

 Guarding the fish pond

 Nearly full

Water well over the reed bed

Monday 8th October Woke to a damp start to the day but had planed a day in the meadow digging up mombrisha which is a real thug could not believe how much it had taken over an area I had planted last year. Did manage to put in some new winter flowering shrubs which we got from RHS Rosemoor before the fine rain came. You may know if you follow the blog my time this year has been taken up finishing off the swimming pond & decking area. Now really pleased with the swimming pond the water is over the reed bed & starting to clean the water this will get better once I have fitted the pump to help circulate the water going to make a home-made filter which will be a water butt & hay for the filter.

 Ros is thrilled this year with the small fish pond we have had 40 baby fish! but been told they would not all survive in a cold winter. The small pond is only 16 months old so everything must be good in it  I keep the pond pump going 24/7 which is also a little heat in the water. Just recently purchased two recycled ex oil drum herons to stand watch over it because there is a real one flying about & my nice neighbour has koi carp that is the reason for the net which I hate so hoping the metal herons will keep the live one away!

Norman Lockyer Observatory

 What a lovely sigh yes the area  is call Great Seaside!

 In from a hard days work

 The entrance

 What a great man

 On the door entry

 Fabulous aerial set up

Saturday 29th September Woke to wonderful sunny start to the day & it was time to pack the car & make our way back home. Like to make the trip home part of the holiday so it was the coast road back into Exeter. First stop was Seaton then onto Branscombe beach famous for the sinking of the MSC Napoli http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branscombe when driving into Sidmouth came across the Norman Lockyer Observatory http://www.normanlockyer.com/ which also houses the Sidmouth Amateur Radio Club just had to stop & take some photos had many a radio contact with the club & also seen the observatory on the BBC 2 Sky Watch program was such a thrill to visit. Will be paying another visit to an open day did not realise we are only 50 miles away from where we live in North Devon!Drove up through Exeter & because we did not want the day to end stopped off at Killerton to visit the updated costume collection with Ros loving textiles this is another NT property close to us http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton/ that was the end to a perfect weeks rest & relaxation a most enjoyable time had by all.

Cogden Beach art work

 Information board

 Looking back to Eype

Friday 28th September Woke to another wet day but thankfully did turn into light rain during the week had taken the coast road past Burton Bradstock & noticed a NT car park so thought would take Beau down to see what it was like. First part was easy walking with grass close to the pebble beach on the walk came across some wonderful beach art from items picked of the beach someone had spent a lot of time making some really good art work. Then is was a early visit back to the caravan to pack suit case for the drive home. .

Durdle Door

 Lulworth Cove

 Durdle Door arch

Thursday was a very showery day but a trip to Durdle Door was planed for a visit seen it many times on the TV but never been to this part of Dorset before. Lots of visitors & walkers on the day with the caravan  & camping site being so close.

Kingston Lacy north of Poole Dorset

 Looking back to Sandbanks

 Entrance to large house?

 Table laid for tea

 Stunning interior

 Wind up gramophone 

 Early valve radio!

 Rear of house

Well manicured gardens

During the weeks break we went back to Kingston Lacy another NT property http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy/  there is so much to see & the location is stunning well worth a visit such a interesting property. With the drive in saw the deer statue on the arch do not know who it belongs to I expect the grounds to another large house.

Hardy's Cottage

 Information board

 Monument by American admirers in woods close to cottage

 Family fire

 The cottage

 Outside soil loo!

 Information leaflet on organic soil loo!

 Looking over garden to cottage

Lovely thatched cottage

Wednesday 26th September Woke to another sunny day & had planned to Thomas Hardy's birth place & brought up with his two sisters http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardy-country/ set in a wonderful location on the edge of woods such a wonderful feel to the place. Was surprised to see the soil loo from the 1800! as people say nothing is new! Afterwards we had a walk around the town of Dorchester a very trendy place with lots of lovely shops to visit even with a Marks & Spencer's!

Sandbanks near Poole

 All steamed up & ready to go

 The glass carriage 

 Away it goes

 Signal box

 The Devon Belle

Inside the ticket off with fire lit

Tuessday 25th September After not realising there was a steam train at Corfe castle it was a big thrill to see the train pull into the station brought back so many happy childhood memories could have stayed there all day but wanted to see more of Dorset. So it was a trip down further to Swanage & noticed a car ferry from Isle of Purbeck to Sandbanks Millionaires circle also on way down saw a sign for middle beach Beau wanted a walk! & thankfully sandy beach then is was onto the ferry. Wow the houses on Sandbanks are stunning but that is money for you! drove through Poole & made our way back home. Got back to caravan & watched the news from the heavy rain we had on Sunday was shocking seeing all the floods up north.