Day 243 - August 31st

The new fencing has started being put in place.

Day 242 - August 30th

The old garden fence is almost completely gone and new panels will be going up in the next few days.

Day 241 - August 29th

This week we are having our back garden fence replaced. It's long overdue and hopefully will require a lot less attention than the current one.

Day 240 - August 28th

I love this streaky rose in my mum & dad's garden.

Day 239 - August 27th

 This morning we went for a circular walk from/to Pirton via Pegsdon Hills.

We were quite surprised at the end of Wood Lane to come across a field full of sunflowers.

The flowers didn't appear to be as advanced as those we walked among a couple of weeks ago on the Dorset Sunflower Trail, and were looking lovely.

After stopping to admire the flowers and take a few photos, we carried on walking and reached Knocking Hoe Nature Reserve where we saw the orchids in June.

We didn't stop at Knocking Hoe today but instead carried on through the woods to the Pegsdon Hills. 

Ahead of us was Deacon Hill. The walk to the top doesn't look particularly steep in this picture but it certainly is and there are great views from the peak.

After a brief rest we carried on back to Pirton.

On the way back I took notice of how many berries and fruits there were growing in the hedgerow. A sign that Autumn is upon us.

Day 238 - August 26th

Today Wayne & Lara went fishing. They sent me this photo. It's got to eb the biggest fish they've ever sent me a photo of.

Day 237 - August 25th

Today this moth landed on the patio doors. I'd never seen this type before but Google tells me it's a Jersey Tiger moth. On mainland UK it is commonest in south Devon, but colonies have recently appeared in Dorset and the Isle of White, and it has also been found in other southern counties but is still quiet rare where we live and nationally is scarce.

Day 236 - August 24th

Sea Holly.

Day 235 - August 23rd

Dog toy shopping for the puppy a work colleague has recently homed.

Day 234 - August 22nd

Some of my mum and dad's rose bushes seem to be flowering for the second time this year, like this beautiful pink streaked variety.

Day 233 - August 21st

 

Whilst we were away, some of the flowers that were planted in the garden came into bloom. They were just starting to show some colour before we went away but now I was able to pick some for the dining table.

Day 232 - August 20th

This morning we went for a walk at Marston Vale Millennium Country Park. Considering it was a nice sunny day it was surprisingly quiet with not many other people enjoying the fresh air.

Out on the water there were a few sailing boats but generally it was peaceful and quiet.

Day 231 - August 19th

I noticed these swan sculptures today whilst we visited the hospital for a routine appointment.

Day 230 - August 18th

Today we said goodbye to our Dorset holiday home and headed home.

Day 229 - August 17th

Today was our last full day in Dorset and this morning we walked the Rodwell Trail top Sandsfoot Castle.

The Rodwell Trail runs from Weymouth to Portland (passing Sandsfoot Castle) and follows a disused passenger railway line.

Sandsfoot Castle, also historically known as Weymouth Castle is an artillery fort constructed by Henry VIII.

By the early 18th century, Sandsfoot was in ruins, its stonework taken for use in local building projects. The clay cliffs on which the castle had been built had always been unstable and subject to erosion. The castle's gun platform began to collapse into the sea and, by the 1950s, had been entirely destroyed.

The ruins were closed to visitors on safety grounds, although civic gardens were planted alongside it in 1951. Repairs were undertaken between 2009 and 2012 at a total cost of £217,800, enabling the site to be reopened to the public. However, when we visited the site was again closed on safety grounds.

Despite the ruinous state of the castle, the garden are very well kept and looked lovely.

In the evening we drove to the seafront to the Weymouth Bike and Classic Car night. This takes place every Thursday from April to September.

All manner of cars and motor bikes were parked on The Esplanade and we spent some time looking at them before finishing off the day with one final ice-cream sat on the edge of the beach.