Lewis and me

In 1588, the beacon on Beacon Hill in Corfe Mullen, near to where we live, was lit to give warning of the approach of the Spanish Armada. During the Napoleonic Wars this beacon on Lytchett Heath was again manned in case of invasion by the French.
Reading the newspapers or watching the television news these days might make you think it should be permanently lit.

The old clay pits here were used to extract white china clay for export. Even recent use as a landfill site, seen here, makes it difficult to spoil the Dorset landscape.
 








Mind you, when paths like this have to be negotiated to reach this far, it is not exactly as though hordes of tourists will ever find the place.






This is Lewis and me. Met him yesterday by chance when we were on one of our explorations in between a break in what passes for summer weather these days.

I had never met him before and am unlikely to meet him again; but we seem to buy or steal our shirts from the same source and it was worth a picture. 
Exploration is a wonderful way of meeting people. We have probably met half of Dorset to say "Hello" to, or to halt awhile to say important things like: "bit brighter today!" so they can say: "perhaps summer is here at last!"

As you may see, by clicking on this picture, the weather wasn't much for taking photograhs, but you can probably just make out Poole and its harbour in spite of the clouds. And the heather and gorse are colourful.





I have included the next picture near to the end of our hike because, surprise, there are glimmers of sunshine through the trees.

It's official!

Nearly four o'clock and no rain so far. Therefore, today has officially been declared summer.
Under the circumstances your intrepid explorers set out to see more of our local countryside.

If you want to go down to the sea with us you must first pass the exploration test and find it!
Not just a matter of simply parking the car and being there; although when we parked the car we were nearer to it than this.


















Ah! there it is; although it still looks a fair step away.
 Unfortunately the path ahead is closed because of crumbling cliffs and associated dangers, which are considered more hazardous than barrel jellyfish the size of wheelie bins which are currently invading our coast! That's the official description, not mine.

Now we are closer, with a view over Poole Harbour to Arne on our left and the distant Purbeck Hills, with Wareham somewhere in the distance to our right.









If you like boats and sailing, this is the place to come.

Perhaps you would like to buy a boat?
They come in all sizes.








Come with us to the boatyard where Aston Martins and Maseratis litter the scene.Take your ease in one of the few oasis I have visited where coiled razor wire ensures you will not be disturbed!












Need I remind you:
experienced explorers always have a destination on mind











You may have noticed in progressive pictures, the build up of clouds since we started out



Although I cannot reproduce the sound of the thunder, this is the scene at five o'clock in the car park of our abode which, according to the weather forecast, will be repeated every day next week.

Sorry; it's official: summer is over!

Highly Commended!

Nothing is gained by hiding your light under a bushel when you have advanced to our age.
Here is a photograph of a picture in oils I have painted recently of a little of the Dorset coast.

The second picture is of "Highly Commended" gained at the annual Dorset Arts and Crafts show.

It is the quilt that is "highly commended", although you may agree the same could be said of the quilt maker.

The trail of the lonesome pine!

Laurel and Hardy had a hit with this song in 1937; well over 20 years after it was written.
Google it to see and hear them performing.
That was a long time ago and you can see the lonesome pine now has a mate; surprisingly on Upton Heath in Dorset!
Well, they were there this morning.













This is the trail that leads there, but not lonesome anymore. A popular place to discuss dogs with other dog owners and to see an example of why you should never pick blackberries under three feet high!








You may also come across the occasional runner or in the distance, believe it or not, a police woman on a white horse: that is, if you are not admiring the view of Poole Harbour. You have to click on the picture to find her!



Naturally there is the odd explorer to meet - if you can catch up.












We are heading to the end of the winding path in the distance - and that's only half way!
You can be forgiven for thinking that people who move to Dorset in their near nineties are a bit odd



When you have finished on the blasted
heath you get the pleasure of being in the woods.








And then you are near to the end of your stroll which is a bit further than you thought it was, although not too far beyond the old railway bridge.












The Castleman Trailway, which is what we are on, had its origins in a Roman Road. Had we not turned off onto the heath we could have arrived here on Footpath No. 5 and gazed in wonder at the heather where 2000 years ago Centurions came and went.


Or, a few steps further on, where they played a round or two on Broadstone Golf Course.







Hope you have noticed; summer's back!