Red Squirrel Week

I know Red Squirrel Week seems like just an excuse for me to post photos of these wonderful little creatures but it is a real thing, I promise. We are lucky on the Isle of Purbeck to have our own small colony of Reds albeit on the island of Brownsea, in Poole Harbour. Time spent watching Red Squirrels is never wasted and a trip to Brownsea can be a lot of fun, especially if you  manage to get over there on a quiet day.

The Swanage & Purbeck Walking Festival

This week has seen another Swanage and Purbeck Walking Festival: a collection of walks that take people all over the Isle of Purbeck and with many different themes. I took three groups out this week, to three different areas each in a completely different setting. Tuesday was from Studland, over the hill to Swanage via the incredible Pinnacles formation. Thursday was Studland again, but this time we stayed inland and visited Agglestone Rock: a 400t lump of sandstone that sits in the middle of beautiful heathland. The third was to Tyneham, via the ridge, making sure that we visited Flowers Barrow, an Iron Age hill fort high above the deserted village.
Three superb walks to three wonderful places with some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Old Harry & The Pinnacles

Agglestone Rock

Flowers Barrow

That Friday Feeling

It was only a week ago that I last walked along the cliff path but it seemed like years. With all that has been going on for the last few weeks it was good to get out and try to clear my head and the cliffs are the perfect place. This morning was just about perfect too: warm, bright and fresh with just a hint of Autumn. This has got to be my favourite time of year.

A Relaxing Sunday

After spotting a couple of Grey Seals from the path above Durlston Bay this morning it seemed only right to walk down to the shore and see just how close I could get. The walk to the bay is not easy and the walk along the shore can be treacherous, a keen watch on the tide is vital in order not to be cut off. We made it to the first seal with him being too bothered, he was far too busy chilling out. He seemed to have wrapped himself in seaweed, using this as an anchor, and was obviously very relaxed. I managed to get within about thirty feet of him and he really didn’t seem to mind at all. The second Seal, much younger, was doing the same and was just as relaxed. As with all wildlife, it was great to get close and be seemingly accepted into their world, making no impact in their lives whatsoever.