Corfe Castle

Part Corfe Castle ruin

 Stunning view to Poole Harbour

 Looking down to Corfe Station

 On platform

 Devon Belle arriving

Awaiting passengers

Tuesday 25th September  I suggested a visit to Corfe Castle http://corfe-castle.co.uk/ another NT property with a lovely surprise of a steam railway still in use. First it was a visit to Wareham then onto Corfe Castle after a walk around the ruins which did have stunning views & thankfully it was another warm sunny day came out & did a walk around the historic village.

Abbotsbury Chapel on Hill

 Steep climb up

 St Catherine's Chapel

 No pews but chapel still used for services

 Looking back into Abbotsbury village

 Stunning sea view from chapel

 Just another photo

 Looking up to the chapel

Sadly damaged information board

Monday 25th September Wonderful sunny start to the day after a very wet Sunday. I took the coast road with views out to sea & Weymouth into Abbotsbury which has the famous swan centre & St Catherine's Chapel which is on a hill. http://www.abbotsbury.co.uk/index.htm  After the steep climb the view was worth it because it was stunning all around. Then is was down into the village & a visit to the church & local antique shop then it was a slow drive back along the coast route must have done that drive quite a few times during the week much better then taking the dual track into Weymouth.

Max Gate

 Sitting Room

 Hardy's Typewriter

 Hardy's Monument 

Information Board

View from Caravan

Sunday 24th September Wow what a wet & wild night & being so close to the sea thankfully the caravan was anchored down all across the UK everyone suffered about 2 inches (50mm) of rain & strong winds. Did not want to stop in all day so drove to Hardy's Max Gate a house near Dorchester  http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardy-country/things-to-see-and-do/page-1/
The volunteers were surprised to see us due to the heavy rain but a warm welcome received  This is Hardy's second home with his second wife who was 40 years his junior! When we came out the rain had become lighter so a tour of the area in the car was had & noticed a sign for Hardy's Monument! was a drive up to Black Down if the day would have been clearer the views would be stunning. Finished off in Bridport at Waitrose our favourite supermarket for a weeks food shop & a bottle or two.

A La Ronde

 A La Ronde

 View from the bedrooms

 Loved the bedrooms

 Vintage lace on the beds

 Fireplace in bedrooms

 Looking up to the shell gallery 

Saturday 23rd September was the start of the weeks break away from DIY been a hard 2 years working in the meadow & both fancy a complete break by the sea. We booked a caravan in Eype near Bridport in Dorset we did stay there last year but in a bungalet with no sea view. The drive down was a lovely sunny day & as you know we are National Trust members the group which looks after our nations saved houses. Stopped of at one of our favourites A La Ronde near Exmouth http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/a-la-ronde/  always enjoy this sixteen sided house at the top of the house is a shell gallery this this is only viewed from the remote cameras due to it being very fragile. After lunch it was a drive to the caravan.

Just another swimming pond update

September 6th For the last two days the weather has been very sunny & I felt I really needed a break from hard physical work. Forgot to mention on post below I put down a 8x6 concrete base for a new garden shed need to get the garden items out of my workshop. A lot of my time has also been taken up with the stone wall around side of pond the top is a combination of beach pebbles & shells. Reed bed it really starting to look good so pleased with the finish  hovering over the pond has been a double winged Southern Migrant Hawker Dragonfly goes to fast to take a photo of it but a real joy to watch.
Today been foraging for sea cabbage on Instow second beach as we call it a much quieter beach I said to Ros when looking out to sea this is what we have moved down here for, love to have a sea fix. 

Yet another swimming pond update

For the last few weeks I have been pushing hard to get rid of the building materials & get them laid. I cut & fitted well screwed down the decking put in the wiring for the water feature & also the small pond pump & put down the pea gravel that is the different colour due to sand being on it so waiting for rain to wash it down! During a damp start to the day on Tuesday I started to get to get the wiring into the summerhouse just need to finish off the rest of the ring main around 11am the fine rain stopped so fitted the balustrades to decking & also the solar light columns also picked up four solar decking lights which I need to sink in. Still some jobs need tweaking to the board walk side but have been waiting for pond to be filled up so I can hide the last of the rubber lining. Had to take a photo of one raised veg bed my Ros has got green fingers with the seed planting the photo shows all the salad leaves which is growing so well despite us getting closer to winter! also shows garden cress, her runner beans have been wonderful had so many boiling's I do all the digging & preparing the bed due to her osteoporosis we are both thrilled with what she has been growing & taking the pressure of me to plant them.