Rock around Wimborne

For those of you not fortunate enough to live in Dorset, you may not know about the Isle of Purbeck: not an island but a remote corner west of Poole Harbour, where the South West Coastal Path begins its 570 mile journey around Lands End to Minehead, and where you can walk all day with the sea at your side, and visit picture card places like Corfe Castle, and even on a Summer's day feel as though you have the world to yourself. We walked a section of the Purbeck Way today; we had a short stay in 'the Cathedral of the Purbecks', the lovely Church of St.James built in the XIXth century for the village of Kingston Matravers by a generous member of the Scott family (and friend of George IIIrd!), then walked the cliff tops, sat in the Winter sunshine for a sandwich, and returned over the muddy fields with new born lambs for company, and with glorious views of Corfe Castle at every stride. If you have time for a short diversion you must visit the 'Square and Compass'. One of the great pubs of England, totally unadorned since it satisfied the thirst of the quarrymen 150 years ago, and the only pub in England to have figured in the top ten in England every year since 'The Real Ale Guide' was published how many years ago! A gem not to be missed.........nor is a day in the Purbecks.

The second leg of my journey with David first takes the walker by the man made reservoirs at Longham; these are surprisingly large yet I imagine that most of my local friends are unaware of their existence! The Bournemouth Water Authority allows access and for the bird watcher there could be a lot to see so I shall return! Park in Hampreston village, have a look in the village church, spot a rare bird and then retire to the Fox and Hounds which is a mere mile away. What a way to spend a half day! The path then meanders along the banks of the Stour. WARNING..........it can be waterlogged in Winter. We have since been advised by kind friends that we are mad to do this river walk in the Winter months; they are correct but we are now on the way and will not be deterred despite having to walk short flooded stretches with the water level above our boots! A stroll through the centre of Wimborne brings us close to the Vine which I mentioned previously. We called in and saw Linda, confessed to her that she now appears in my Blog (I think she was impressed?) and strode on with soggy socks to Spetisbury. A cloudy day and not ideal for photography but a glimpse of the swollen Stour herewith.

Labels: Part 1

Labels: Part 2