With the early morning weather an exact match to yesterday, it was decided to take a chance and try, once again, for the Spotted Sandpiper at Lyme Regis, as the day after the visit with Lesley it was back on the Bird Alert sites. The main concern with the wind still in the eastern quarter would be the sea conditions, but as I set out the elements were improving by the minute.
It is no more than a 5 minute walk from my house to the bus stop, and as a 'bus pass' holder the fare is 'free' so not a lot of effort required to see what for Dorset is a classic rarity. I can tell you right away that it wasn't seen, so fortuitous some scenic shots were taken along the way of the
Link to Jurassic Coast
Just a couple of miles from home, looking north to the small hamlet of Shilvinghampton & Coryeates, we soon make the downhill approach to
but still with most ancient buildings left in tact.
One of the main highlights en-route is the village of
Abbotsbury, complete with its Swannery, Sub-tropical Gardens, St Catherine's Chapel and Tithe Barn, to name but a few of the delights.
The narrow lanes are something of a nightmare to drivers, especially the 90 degree 'hairpin' at the end of this section.
The whole village and much of the surrounding lands fall under the stewardship of the family Strangways, with Lady Charlotte at the helm. The Old School, now a Community Hall, bares the family name.
The Highways and Byways of Dorset continue down into the village of
Burton Bradstock and its
favoured 'local' The Three Horseshoes public house.
followed by the market Town of Bridport.
I would use the words throwback and quaint, in the nicest sense, to describe the town as little seems to change here. As far as shops are concerned there is even a Hatter surviving along with Family Butchers, Fishmongers and Bakers. Long may it continue!
There are good views of Golden Cap as we approach the village of
Chideock which also boasts a fine pub, the George Inn and an equally
fine Church of St Giles.
We are now nearing Lyme Regis and feel sure that regular readers will have seen enough photographs of this lovely place to fill an album of their own?
So, we will restrict ourselves to just 3 to show the sea conditions today.
Appart from smashing against the sea-wall and making much of the promenade impassible,
it was also hitting the Cob sending spume and spindrift flying high above the 2 story buildings on the harbour side. No self respecting small Wader would be out in this. A small set back, but in such things you should always have a 'trump card' up your sleeve, which I have!
Best you watch this space and all will be revealed.
