It turned out to be a very good
call to leave my bed and breakfast at 05:30, to retrace steps trodden
dozens of times, as by 09:00 heavy rain had set in for the rest of the
day. To give those who are unfamiliar with the Isle of Portland it
should be noted that all the photographs that follow were taken well
within 2 square miles, mostly in the central/easterly coastal area, and I
was back for breakfast by 08:00. The opening vista is across the wide
expanse of the English Channel where this morning, unusually, only a
single vessel was in sight namely this
GAS/LIQUID PETROLEUM TANKER
Apart
from a 'prile' of Lighthouses (as shown yesterday) the Island also
boasts a hat-trick of Castles, 2 of which we would visit this morning
both the oldest and the newest. The latter is
a Gothic Revival Mansion built at the turn of the 18th Century.
Click Link to read more.
Just
across the road is the latest addition to Portland architecture built
on the old Perryfields Quarry site. From there and just a few steps on
you reach the top of the footpath leading down to Church Ope Cove.
Portland
isn't blessed with too many trees so this is an area that has been
cherished over the years. History abounds here as we pass under the
Gothic Arch leading to
Saint
Andrew's Church but a more accurate description would be Church's
(plural). While there is evidence of Iron Age occupation here a number
of ecclesiastical buildings have dominated the site since the early
1100's. It may also be noticed that gravestones exist inside the walls
of the church.
This
is said to have occurred when the building was extended into the
attached cemetery while leaving the stones in place. This stone, one of
those within the walls, was also damaged by bombs in World Wat II, with
the scars not showing too well on this image.
Other stones have been uprooted and placed where best seen.
These
2 Sarcophagus hold most interest and memories for me as along with my 2
daughters, in their formative years, we would visit them on occasion
and i would point out the
Scull and Crossbones
on the higher of the 2 and relate stories of Piracy and Smugglers.
While these yarns were warmly welcomed, truth of the matter is
these graves were those of perfectly respectable Portland people.
Commanding prime position above all of these is
RUFUS or BOW and ARROW CASTLE
(more to follow)
While further down the cliff is the tranquil
CHURCH OPE COVE
This mornings damp atmosphere had brought out lots of
BLACK SLUGS
as I plodded up the
Stairway to Heaven
looking down occasionally at the changing aspect of
Church Op Cove
and upward at the towering rock face.
VALERIAN
synonymous with Portland.
Reaching the top, best views are had of the 15th Century
(east face)
(west face)
EAST WEARES
Most pleasing MILE STONES strategically placed around the Island.
AVICE'S COTTAGE now
PORTLAND MUSEUM
Wakeham
The Castleated entrance to Pennsylvania Castle and Cottages.
The course of the old Weymouth to Portland Railway
looking East and West.
Wandering back through what has now become Horse Stables
Portland's Windmills
The two great remaining ancient buildings
in the Royal Manor. These windmills were first recorded in the Land
Revenue Accounts of 1608 but they were probably over a century old by
then.
They were owned by the Pearce family from the
1600s to the 1899. According the historian Richard Crumbleholme
relief was given to the millers in the early 1700s for earthquake
damage.
By the 1960s no attempt had been made to preserve these shells
and the main shaft of one was still in tact. This is now in Portland's
museum.
and finally, the EIGHT KINGS
Public House at Southwell but a little early for me!
Trivia
Windmills of Your Mind is the signature tune to the film The Thomas Crown Affair
It is hoped all of today's LINKS will prove useful to further reading.
Public House at Southwell but a little early for me!
Trivia
Windmills of Your Mind is the signature tune to the film The Thomas Crown Affair
It is hoped all of today's LINKS will prove useful to further reading.
