Happy Weekend

With the mist burning off the land yesterday morning, the Saint and I got caught in a huge traffic jam outside Salisbury where we were hoping to photograph the cathedral and Stonehenge through the mist. 

We turned off the main road and headed for an unplanned adventure. It presented itself in the next town we drove through where the Saint saw a black swan on the river as we crossed the bridge. He knows how much I love swans so we stopped and walked to take a look. There it was on its own looking just gorgeous but it perked up its head 

and got all excited as its mate called from down the river. Here we were blessed to experience the meeting of these two beautiful birds as they came together and greeted each other

with a beautiful mating dance which looked like they were kissing.

Then they settled down peacefully together and continued grooming themselves. It was an awesome display and something I will remember for the rest of my life.

We drove off across the country to avoid traffic,  heading for Abbotsbury and the mist had cleared beautifully by the time we stopped in Cerne Abbas at this delightful tea room for a late lunch.

We could not leave without a picture of the rude giant. The Saint refused to partake. This giant is a symbol of fertility and couples who cannot conceive have visited him over aeons. I will not explain the rest of the ritual. You can look for it elsewhere.

We drove across the gorgeous Dorset county side

and finally one of my favourite views was before us

That tiny little walkway that you can see dividing the sea and the lagoon is called Chesil Beach and stretches from Weymouth towards Bridport for 18 miles. It is part of the Jurassic coast and fossils are often found on the beach. The ruin is St Catherine's Chapel. This whole area is fantastic to walk around.

As you can see the mists are rolling back in so walking was not an option. After enjoying this view down to Bridport with all the headlands shrouded in the mist, we turned around and headed for home.

This morning we headed into the forest for breakfast and then to Hengistbury Head to walk.  

It was gorgeous and for the first time in 3 years, I walked comfortably on the shifting beach sands and pebbles. It was a great day for photography so here is what I did today.

We walked along the shore photographing the waves and whatever took our fancy. It was wonderful out.

This is the view to Bournemouth.

This is the opposite direction towards Hengisbury.

We left the beach to climb to the top of the headland. Where the houses are in the distance is where the car is parked. Can you see how far I walked ALONG THE BEACH!!!! Don't miss the yellow gorse which is in bloom.

Across the harbour on the opposite side of the headland, Christchurch is emerging from gentle mists.

An action shot of the Saint walking in front of me toward the point. He says that it looks like he is about to fall over.

A late butterfly sunning itself on the gorse bushes

and a holly bush in berry.

The final view is across the beach huts towards Mudeford and Barton-on-sea. It was a great walk. I walked up a sweat on the way back. It is great to be able to walk again.