Having an appointment in Weymouth anyway and being a perpetual 'weather watcher' things looked good so little need to check the tide! However, before we set off the there was the matter of the Moth Traps from where, in the first instance, there was to be a mighty surprise in the shape of our
second only
ANOMALOUS
also firsts for the year
MOTTLED UMBER
and
DEEP BROWN DART
The tide, which was crucial for any form of Wader Watching at Ferrybridge, where Weymouth ends and Portland starts, must have been at, or close to, Highest Astronomical which negated any such activity.
Onwards to Top Hill and past
SAINT GEORGE'S CHURCH
(built in part on designs for St Paul's Cathedrel in London)
and close to where I once lived for 18 years.
Soon the whole of
PORTLAND BILL
was opening up before me and most importantly
the car park at the LOWER LIGHT BIRD OBSERVATORY lay empty.
This is the second oldest of the 3 Lighthouse at Portland.
Met by the Warden
Martin Cade
alone in his sanctuary, there was little, or more accurately, 'nothing' to report so decided to try my hand down at Portland Bill Point.
Met en-route by stalwart John Lucas it was a suprise to hear he is now half way through his
Octagenarianship and not looking a day older than our last meeting some years ago now!
That delayed my departure for a while during which time a Chiffchaff was caught in one of the mist nets giving the opportunity to watch the processing of this tiny Warbler.
The youngster of the trio is the still active and recently refurbish
PORTLAND BILL LIGHT
which warns mariners of the trecherous
Portland Tidal Race
just off-shore among other things.
The Race
not looking to threatening on the day.
There was no sign of a large black sphere at the mast of this
Cruise Liner
which would indicate her being at anchor, but given the distance, the mist
along with the fact she did not move at all probable shows that she was in fact 'swinging to the pick'.
THE OBALISK
A Trinity House triangulation point used by mariners as a fixed point ashore
to check their position, a little outdated now but a most novel sight to see.
PULPIT ROCK
is another crowd pleaser often being climbed all over and occassionally dived from.
THE LOWER LIGHT
from a distance.
Looks like young
Artisians and Stone Masons
had been hard at work, such a wonderful place for children as my own 2 would witness!
THE OLD ADMIRALTY COMPOUND
associated with the
Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment
(out of view at the top of the hill)
and now a civilian Business Park.
FISHERMEN'S BUILDINGS
and through the murk traces of
(to the east)
High on the Hill
THE COASTGUARD STATION
along with the oldest of the 3 Lighthouses
now a long time private dwelling.
So, with a last look across Portland Bill and the English Channel
and passing the PBO there was one final stop to take the
Finest View of them All
CHESIL BEACH
with Portland Harbour, National Sailing Accadamy, centre, and Wyke Regis Village distantly
The Natural Phenomena of this World Renouned 18 miles long Pebble Bank
is that the stones sort by size with the 'big boys' at the Portland end
(foreground) with the village of Fortuneswell, and the 'pea like' at distant Abbottsbury!
A most pleasany afternoon was then spent with Sue reminiscing our travels together which included
visits to one of the most northerly townships in the world, Barrow in Alaska (the argument goes on) and for sure the most southerly Ushuaia, Argentina.
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