In Search of the Sun

High above the coast path is another trail that heads west, it mirrors the one below and gives a bird’s eye view of the cliffs both to the east and the west. This morning there was a haze that kept the best of the Sun at bay but there was enough brightness to light up the gorse and give a glimpse of St.Aldhelm’s Head sitting just four miles away. Out to sea all was calm with the just occasional fishing boat splitting the waves and maybe there was a yacht in the distance, just at the very limit of my view, flirting with the Sun and dipping in and out of the mist.

Suddenly, a flash of red to my right turns into a Fox, a male by the looks of it and he certainly had something important on his mind as he completely ignored the dogs and I and disappeared into the scrub. There was just the chance of a quick shot but certainly no time for a proper introduction and far too soon all is quiet again. Even though I kept watching the slope that lead down to the cliff path there no further sign of Mr Fox and I became aware of the wind for the first time this morning: up on the ridge there is no shelter and if there is a breeze, you will find it here.

Looking at the clouds it seemed that the Sun wouldn’t be making much more of an appearance, so I decided to wander on back, taking the same high path and keeping an eye on the sea, you know,  just in case…

The Kimmeridge Ridge

 Kimmeridge is a little village on the Isle of Purbeck famous for its bay and the fossils that can be found there. For me though the attraction of this place is the ridge that runs from Swyre Head in the East to Gad Cliff in the west. From east to west the path is the best part of five miles long, not too tricky with a few steady gradients and has some of the finest views you will see anywhere.
Corfe Castle is visible in the distance for most of the journey but there are plenty of other points to catch your eye.The Clavell Tower sits high above the village and as been moved to stop it falling into the sea and the deserted village of Tyneham can be glimpsed through the trees when you reach Gad Cliff. On the way Skylarks fill the air, Kestrels hunt on the slopes below and Buzzards circle high above. This walk is a real favourite.

 When you get close to Gad cliff in the west views across Weymouth Bay and across the sea to the Isle of Portland are always breathtaking.

And the Robin Still Sings.

Rain is important, we know that and without rain our green and pleasant land would be a whole lot less green and pleasant. That being said the last few days have given us more than our fair share of the wet stuff and for many it has all become pretty tiresome. Many of my walks have been without the camera as, although it proudly yells of being water resistant, I don’t intend to find out just how water resistant. Wherever I go the ‘dry’ paths are wet and the wet paths are rivers, grass has turned into swamp and when you need grip there is none to be found. Mud is everywhere except where puddles have taken over and even then mud is hiding beneath the water ready to engulf an unwary boot.

So tonight, as there was a trace of blue in an otherwise cloudy sky I went off for a wander knowing that although my boots would get wet, my coat wouldn’t. With a soundtrack made up of a Robin singing his heart out and new lambs calling from the fields I walked towards the setting Sun hoping that low clouds coming from the sea didn’t drop any further. In the distance a Roe deer crossed the path, too far away for a photograph and I wasn’t going to get any closer so I paused and watched. It was then that a muddy brown lump in the grass caught my eye and I was pleased to see it turn into a Hare just before it headed off.

On the way back the clouds did drop a little and it was clear that this was not going to be an evening for photographs, but it was good to get out.

The air was clear and calm and it was good to see that despite the rain, the world still turns and the Robin still sings.

It rains for longer in the woods!

It seems that you can hear every raindrop as it tumbles through the leaves and every breath of wind releases more. Whilst sheltering from the passing shower and giving thanks to the Holm Oak and for its year long leaves, you can forgive the large drops of cold water that find their way down your neck, better the odd drop of rain than a good soaking out on the path.
The view from this semi-dry safe harbour is of a sea showing more signs of Winter than Spring and the occasional gull or Jackdaw as they patrol the cliff edge, the rain drops continue to drop and trees sway slowly with the added weight of those that don’t.
After a while I noticed a puddle, not too far away, that showed little sign of the torrent that had forced me to seek shelter under the trees. Not a ripple stirred the water, not a single raindrop added to those that had already found this pool and contrary to what the deluge under the trees would suggest, it seemed that the passing shower had indeed passed.
It was time to move on because under the trees it continued to rain.

Blue skies and Adders

A walk along the coast path is always good whatever the weather but on a beautiful blue sky Spring morning it is just about perfect. Apart from the Peregrine, the Kestrel, Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars and Gulls we had a handful of Adders,

For me these creatures are fascinating and perhaps just a little bit addictive.