Sunday, 2 May 2010

May Bank Holiday in The New Forest Part 2




The day dawned bright-ish (emphasis very much on the "ish" there) after a night of torrential rain, which thundered down on the roof of the caravan and kept us both awake.  Decided on jeans, a polo neck jumper, a shirt over this and hooded top, along with wellies rather than walking shoes.  As Mark and I were sitting in the car preparing to set out of the day, I was thinking to myself "should I have put a t-shirt on underneath that lot as well?  Shall I just nip back in and put one on quickly?  Oh, for God's sake, it's MAY, how cold can it be?  You're wearing plenty of clothes."  BIG mistake!

On arrival at Lulworth Castle, stepped out of the car into a brisk and chilly breeze, immediately zipped up everything and huddled into my windproof but short Northface jacket (leaves bum exposed) and set off for fun and frolics watching Civil War re-enactment that was taking place at the castle.  Queuing for tickets in an archway which funnelled the wind was so bloody cold that I had to put up my hoodie hood and jacket hood too, instantly transforming myself into an Anorak-Wearing Total Spod, but at that moment I didn't care.

Mark and I wandered around watching various actors and enthusiasts running around in period costume firing guns at one another, then escaped to the relative peace of estate chapel St Mary's, followed by the animal farm, where much feathered and fluffy cuteness abounded.


The Chapel







The chickens and feathered friends were as noisy as
a playground of five year olds

The Peacocks roamed and flew freely around the park


The bunnies and guineapigs had such adorable names!





The sheep and goats were very curious and very friendly - 
the goat tried to eat my shirt :)







a pair of Rhea


Mark with Shergar






A banquet recreated in the castle, complete with bumbling
and massively incompetent manservant

Mark ascending the tower


Looking back down again








I do like a man in uniform....


Model of the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elisabeth
on May 12th 1937




Found this in the family history exhibit - Mark is going to
check out if he is related to them in some way

There were lots of original artifacts and items from the thirties,
all displayed in a very interesting way,
including the model of a cook with improbably long arms ;)

Looking upwards in one of the towers which
was gutted by fire in 1929, hence the bowing metal
door to the left which started to melt in the heat







Gravestone in the churchyard


Inside the church


Fish n'chips for lunch at West Lulworth


The photo I submitted for "A Moment in Time",
taken just after 3pm http://nyti.ms/b7uVkP
Thanks Mark for reminding me!


Lulworth Cove


The Cove formed around 10,000 years ago, and continues to
change behind a narrow Portland Stone entrance as the
softer Purbeck, Wealden, Greensand and Chalk are eroded.





Durdle Door














On the beach













Well, I had to get them in somewhere ......


Me, frozen, and in Full Anorak Wearing Spod Mode ;)









Two views of the same view



















These ice-creams were DELICIOUS!  I had rum & raisin
(big fat raisins that had actually been soaked in rum)
plus white chocolate with honeycomb balls - wicked!






























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4 comments:

  1. More wonderful things - love the goats and Lulworth Cove (haven't been yet tho would like to, it's a bit of a tall order with no car.) x

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  2. It's certainly worth a visit Cat, so if you ever get the chance I can recommend it :) x

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  3. you have not adequately expanded upon the cacophony of birds chatting to each other. That was truly excellent.

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  4. Yes, the assorted chickens, cockerels, turkeys and bantams were making the *most incredible racket* - as Mark rightly says, cacophony is the only word to describe the sheer volume of squawks, clucks, gobbles and crowing that was emanating from the bird run. We both felt sorry for the small handful of ducks in there, all obviously trying to bed down for a quiet nap - no chance!

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