Following migrating Swallows down the country from Gloucestershire to Somerset and then on to Dorset
Porlock Weir with its tidal harbour
where Exmoor meets the sea
and where we know a memorable meal awaits
Across country down to Dorset's Jurassic coast
Staying beside a mysterious stretch of Dorset water called 'Fleet' deriving its name from the Saxon 'fleot' meaning shallow water. Fleet is keeper of many tales and secrets, and the haunt of long gone Smugglers; once part of the English Channel but separated over 6000 years ago when Chesil Beach was formed in the Holocene period
'Fleet' is connected to the sea via a narrow channel and is one of the most important tidal lagoons in Europe, but it is also fed by fresh water from a number of small steams and the run-off from surrounding fields. Birds, particularly water birds are attracted by the unique rich habitat and its waters support substantial populations of fish
This area has held an attraction ever since reading Ian McEwan's book 'On Chesil Beach'. Not that Chesil Beach is of any great important to the story apart from creating a sense of drama and place.
As we relaxed in the hotel's garden at the end of the day we suddenly became aware of Swallows performing their familiar acrobatic twists and turns as they swooped across the lawns chasing insects; their departure to Africa must surely be imminent.
Take a look at Sarah's blog she lives in the area and knows the Jurassic Coast well - she takes beautiful photos.
Beautiful photos, Dorset is one of my favourite holiday destinations.
ReplyDeleteWe are fortunate in that these places are easy to reach for those of us living in the SW.
DeleteThank you so much, again, for the beautiful photos and information!
ReplyDeleteFollowing your blog is like being taken on a much dreamt of holiday trip.
I will take a look at Sarah's blog after pressing the publish button below.
Cheers,
Jeanneke.
Dear Jeanneke - Thank you so much for such a kind comment, I have been very touched by it.
DeleteDear Rosemary!
ReplyDeleteAs always it's such a pleasure to read your beautiful posts and scroll up and down to watch your fantastic photo again and again. And I always get this warm feeling inside being guided by you through lovely scenery. My list of places to visit on my next trip to the UK is getting immensly long thanks to your lovey blog . :)
Take care sweet friend.♥
Charlie
xx
Dearest Charlie - It is always so lovely to hear from you, and I thank you kindly for your very generous comment - take care♡
DeleteThere certainly is a sense of drama in Chesil Beach - what magnificent scenery, and a sense of getting away from it all. I don't think I have ever seen a swallow, such famous birds who appear in literature, music, art. They look very pretty on the map! It sounds like a very pleasant interlude for you, Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteDear Patricia - we always know that Spring has arrived here when we see the first swallows, and the same is true in reverse at this time of year. I feel sure that this year they are leaving much later from our shores and wonder why? Swallows are actually very slim streamlined birds not like the ones I showed on the map, those look as if they have been over indulging!!!
DeleteA Bewick swan arrived here a couple of days ago from the Russian arctic for our Winter which is much, much earlier than normal, so something strange is going on.
I love Porlock Weir and have stood in the same spots on a number of occasions. Chesil Beach though, we must do again too. There is still much to discover on the Jurassic Coast. You've captured the colours of the seashore perfectly in your photos Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteWe can get to Porlock Weir quite quickly and easily especially if the roads are quiet which is rather pleasing. The journey down to the Jurassic Coast was also relatively quick and easy too. I think that this is quite a good time to do these visits when the summer holidays are over and the schools are back.
DeleteEnjoy your seaside stay!
ReplyDeleteIt is always nice to be beside the seaside, as the old song goes
DeleteVery lovely Rosemary. Pretty as well and very different from Tasmania.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos once again..
Thank you Margaret - slowly getting back into my stride again after an enjoyable break.
DeleteSo beautiful, I love visiting Exmoor, Dartmoor and Dorset. Would like to pack and go.....but family circumstances with very old and weak parents hold me back for the time being. Your photos are magnificent!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your parents Janneke - it is so difficult as we get older, and I can only see the problem increasing due to our living longer and longer.
DeleteDear Rosemary, I enjoyed seeing your quintessential English photos, from parts of your wonderful country where I have never been to so far. You must have had a wonderful vacation!
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Christina
Dear Christina - I know that you have travelled here many, many times, but I have to admit that most of the areas we visited in Dorset were also new to me too even though I live reasonably near.
DeleteHello Rosemary, What beautiful pictures of the English coastline. I could imagine hiking for hours up and down the beach, especially after investigating the geological and human history of the area (I just took a quick preview via Wikipedia).
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dear Jim - both sides of this SW corner of England have a completely different coastline. The Jurassic coast is a great magnet for fossil hunters, old and young, but especially young children when they first learn and discover all about dinosaurs.
DeleteHello again, Now I want to go even more. The last time I was in London, I bought a book about fossil hunting in England, and was eager to do some exploring, but that was the trip I hurt my knee and could barely move at all. I'm sure that I still have the book someplace.
Delete--Jim
About 2 years ago someone found the skeleton of an ichthyosaurus.
DeleteNot too far from us ... a regular haunt that we love to visit as often as we can. Great photos. M x
ReplyDeleteYou are fortunate in that you live slap bang between the two coasts Marina plus you have lovely countryside where you live too.
DeleteWhat a nice get away. I love the smell and sounds of the sea. Hopefully you and Sarah got together for tea. Janey
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree there is a special smell when you are beside the sea - Sarah was actually visiting an area near to where I live whilst I was down in her area.
DeleteWhat a wonderful post. A coat to coast tour with information and brilliant photos. I am forwarding the two photos which feature boats to a friend who is recovering from a knee construction and who is mad about boats and water. These photos will brighten up her day
ReplyDeleteMs Soup
Glad you enjoyed it Ms Soup and hope your friend enjoys the boats and is soon fit and well again
DeleteShe loved the photos - they cheered her up no end.
DeleteMs Soup
♡
DeleteBeautiful photos, Rosemary! Those are suitable for framing. We are in Maine enjoying the spectacular fall foliage. Our coast is beautiful, too. Cheers
ReplyDeleteI would love to see your fall foliage Loi with their vibrant colours.
DeleteWonderful post as always. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan
DeleteOh, I'm so jealous you and Sarah have meet in this amazing area.I know her and love her blog. Breathtaking photos Rosemary, Loi is right!
ReplyDeleteOlympia
Sadly no Olympia - Sarah was up in my area whilst I was down in hers.
DeleteWonderful nature and beautiful photos , would love to take a little trip down there !
ReplyDeleteWe enjoy the fact that although we do not live beside the sea we can get to it fairly easily.
DeleteI enjoyed your trip following the swallows. Lovely photo's of the British seaside. They make me want to go there! I have to wait until next June though :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely evening!
Madelief x
Thanks Madelief - hope all is well with you
DeleteIt was lovely to see your trip from coast to coast stopping in two wonderful coast locations! Was your meal at Porlock just as good as last time? Moonfleet is one of my favourite places. It is so peaceful and there is always some wildlife to watch. What a shame we didn't meet up. Thank you for mentioning me in your blog. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteDear Sarah - At both places where we stayed we had special 'deals', and The Café came up trumps again, such a lovely young couple run it. However, we stayed at Moonfleet Manor in your area where we also had an exceptional and delicious meal too.
DeleteWow! I have loved taking this little tour with you--I never knew such place existed. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDelighted that you enjoyed seeing them and thank you for visiting
DeleteSuch a lovely area - your photos are exquisite - I really must put it on my bucket list.
ReplyDeletePorlock was new to us when we visited last year, but I haven't been to Dorset for years, and never this part before.
DeleteWhat a fabulous post, Rosemary. Wonderful shots and an interesting journey. Did you know that the Fleet was used to test the bouncing bomb?!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mike - I didn't know about the bouncing bombs being tested there until last weekend when we read it in the hotels bumph that they had left us in our room.
DeleteSo beautiful photos. You really have a camera eye.
ReplyDeleteHugs
your comment is very kind and generous - thank you♡
Delete