Harold would have been pleased to see it in ruins

In the distance, set in a dip and against the Purbeck Hills, is the view from our new home in Broadstone. It is Corfe Castle, built by William the Conqueror whose archer killed my ancestor, Harold of Hastings.

Here, looking back to a point to the right and just below the slight rise in the ridge of hills in the background, is the view William would have had
of our apartment had it been there when he was looking back!

Corfe Castle is best seen on a day like today, 28th December, in a blaze of sunshine framed against a blue sky.
Sorry to keep on about the sun shining every day in Dorset when so many are having snow, but I can only speak as I find.

Even if the temperature dropped a bit when climbing up the path to the castle heights, there was always the anticipation of the warm and cosy cafe on the return trip with such delights as hot Dorset Apple Cake and Custard.
They don't stint themselves down here don't you know.



I was exaggerating a bit in talking of heights: I only walked up as far as this bit:

time of the year

We have settled near here - five minutes away.
This is today: not quite springtime but not far off; December 27th and look at the weather.











Even more like spring if you turn around and look the other way:
This is Broadstone Cricket Club: you can almost imagine the players arriving to open up the pavilion across the field.

I sat and watched West Brom play Manchester City last night in a howling snowstorm. Doesn't seem fair does it?






This is in a park given by a Miss Kennedy, according to the sign at the entrance, not far from the somewhat unusual and beautiful war memorial sculpted by Gilbert Bayes R.A. in 1920.

Apart from a few shops and 'our local', a fantastic pub within staggering distance from home, this is our first bit of exploring: a bit more to come in the future.

Happy New Year.