scenes from a purbeck week - part one

Back to school already but despite the weather we had a good Half Term holiday.

Quite a lot of crafting, a fair bit of cosying up under the throws with a family DVD and when the weather permitted, some good walking. We are lucky to be a five minute walk away from the beach but when the visibility's good, the sun finally makes an appearance and the wind is low, we head on over to Durlston Country Park, way up on the cliff tops.

We absolutely love it there and usually tie it in with visiting the dump. Far from being a chore, on a sunny day it's a real pleasure - I'm not kidding, this has to be the most beautiful recycling centre in the world, the views are so outstanding.

High up on the hills overlooking Swanage and beyond, the vista from this place is like something from a picture postcard. And the park itself, which is right next to the dump, is large enough that you can lose any other walkers and have the place to yourself.

{now that is a seriously big puddle!}

In the Autumn/Winter, it's the best place to pick sloe berries (so long as it's not too windy as it is very exposed up there), they are so plentiful and unpolluted too. Also, early in the year and on a sunny calm day, it's even possible to see adders basking on the rocks. Unfortunately we've never been lucky enough to see any - no surprise really if you could hear the noise our two children make!

In the Spring and Summer months you can see guillemots and other sea birds nesting on the rocks, the sound of skylarks in the fields and occasionally there are dolphins to be seen out to sea.

But all year round there is the freshest air imaginable and the most breathtaking views. Not to mention the odd dry stone wall!

{oh we are clever!!}