Dorset Archives ⋆ Our Growing Paynes

We have been having a wonderful visit back in the UK. It is going by very quickly though, wish there was a way to slow it down. Right now we are on the train to London on our way to Manchester. Since our last visit they have put wifi on the trains so I can blog while we travel. Which is great because with the diesel gala and day trips I haven’t had time!

Mixed emotions today as it is hard to leave family but I am very excited to head up north as it’s been 13 years, which is far too long. We’re staying with my friend that I’ve known for 42 years! Since I was in nappies.

While we were in Swanage we did a few day trips on the coast. It was just breathtaking. And a challenge! With the steep climbs I really pushed my back. I’m paying for it now but it felt really good to actually get up the hills. Getting to the top makes it all worth it with the views.

The first coast trip was to Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. I have to say we’ve been incredibly lucky with the weather, sun for the whole trip with the exception of the last two days. We both have a bit of a farmer’s tan.

Here are some pics of that day. I tried several times to load small video but the wifi can’t handle it. It was becoming the definition of insanity!

The next day we drove to Portland Bill, a lighthouse on an island sticking out about six miles into the channel. There is a guided tour to the top of the lighthouse and the guide showed us a map showing all the known shipwrecks in the immediate area.

A famous one, the Royal Adelaide, happened in 1872. Because it happened close enough to the beach everyone was rescued. Great success! The next day they found 20 people dead on the beach. Turns out some locals thought it would be a good idea to rescue the gin on the boat by drinking it. They died of exposure. Darwinism at work, unfortunately.

I have a few blog posts to do when we get back home including a Victorian Sponge. Ooh la la. 😊. But first we’re going to enjoy the last few days of our trip which include a visit to the East Lancashire Railway. Should be fun!

The weather was up in the air today but it looked like we would avoid major rain so we decided to take the kids on a hike on the ridge from Swanage to Corfe. It’s a lovely walk once you get up the steep bit and you can see for miles. We did miss the path for the Nine Barrows from the Iron Age so the kids only saw bits as we walked by unfortunately.

Dorset is such a gorgeous part of the world. You are hard pressed to find a bad walk. Purbeck is especially beautiful. You find all sorts of flowers on your journey.

As soon as we get to the top the views are breathtaking as we overlook the bay.

And we have to be mindful that we are walking through farmland and we encounter animals. This time we just saw some sheep but last time we had to make our way through a large herd of cows blocking a gate.

It helps to be mindful of the tiniest of creatures, even the bane of English gardens everywhere. This one was pointing towards my mother in law’s but the rate it was going it would take at least a year!

We had storms come through last night so it was still very gusty at the top. These trees are used to it though and present all sorts of bendy shapes.

Despite the clouds coming in and some misting we were able to enjoy the walk keeping in mind there was cream tea at the end. The castle was the beacon getting closer and closer.

After a several mile hike we rested at the base of Corfe Castle with the sparrows zipping in and out at high speed while enjoying the cream tea. Wish I could have gotten a picture of these birds but they were zooming about buzzing very close to us. I could feel the wings as they went by!

When asked why we would move back to England I would point to this. Why wouldn’t we?

Our Growing Paynes

A journey about cooking, traveling, gardening, and crafting.

Tag Archives: Dorset

The Dorset Coast

Over The Hills We Go…