Due to the Queen's death and extra bank holiday we booked a short notice trip to Dorset. Fuelled by a book of walks I'd received I was keen to try a few.
We stayed at Crossways and pretty much as soon as we'd arrived on the Saturday afternoon we were off out again down to Corfe Castle for sunset.
Whilst JC took photos, I popped up onto the Purbeck Ridge to bag the first trig of the holiday.
On Sunday we headed to Bulbarrow Hill for a walk down through Milton Abbas and the Abbey. On our way up I realised we could nab a quick trig (what I call 'drive-by trigs'). So here is TP0294.
We parked at Bulbarrow but, before we could set off, there was a job to do. A bit of a tricky find but the fun is always in the chase ;-) I give you TP1758.
The walk was lovely - through woodlands, glades and meadows. I suspect it would be even more attractive in the spring when the hedgerow flowers are out.
Milton Abbas is an interesting village. In the 18th Century, a man called Joseph Damer built a mansion next to the abbey and the nearby village spoiled his view. So he basically got it flattened and moved it around the corner so it wouldn't irk him. It's sometimes quite breathtaking how audacious and self-righteous landowners were then. The new village was neatly planned and postcard pretty, and we enjoyed a pub lunch in the sun. Loved the horse sculptures.
On the way to the Abbey I spotted some a cigarette butt bin which looked just like a face!
The abbey was open so we stuck our heads in.
Next to the abbey, on the left in this photo, you can see the house that Joseph built, which is now a private school.
Onwards and upwards through a plantation for a ridge walk back to the car.
Before supper that evening we popped down to Ringstead Bay to watch the sun set across the bay.
On Monday we headed for Cerne Abbas. I'm sure we weren't the only people not to be interested in watching the funeral and I was glad to be away from media for the day. Once again, armed with my trusty Ordnance Survey Landranger, I bagged a few trigs on the way. Ridgeway, TP5677, and Charlton Higher Down, TP2123.
We parked at Cerne Abbas and popped into the church before heading off.
Lots of lovely old buildings and the remains of the Benedictine Abbey.
The walk saw us climbing up through pastures, below the giant's feet, onto a ridge. It then meandered across woods and fields, passing through Minterne Magna before climbing back towards Cerne Abbas, when we at last rewarded with a view of the giant in all his glory.
We stopped for a drink in a local pub (they had opened post-funeral) and we headed home, but not without a few brief stops for fresh air at Sydling, TP6293, Greenford Lane, TP3490, and Eggardon Hill, TP3028, which had the most amazing views.
We then popped down to Seaton for supper by the sea. A perfect way to end a fun short trip.
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