SOUTH WEST COASTAL PATH – around Worth Matravers in Dorest 6 miles

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Tony Knight

A small section of the coastal path which encircles the UK is the South West Coastal Path. Part runs from just south of the hamlet of Worth Matravers close to Corfe Castle on the Isle of Purbeck.

A delightful section of the Dorset Coastal path.

A circular walk of about 6 miles, leave the car park ( BH19 3LE ) just above Worth Matravers and walk down past the Square and Compasses public house and the pond. From there after passing a row of cottages, continue though a gate and along a path through a field, to join an uneven track of smooth flints, which winds down to the coastal path. The walk is over Limestone cliffs, bordered by chalk grassland.

Stone was excavated from a quarry, waiting to be explored. A large 'cave ' has been created and can be explored.

Stone was excavated from a Winspit Quarry, waiting to be explored. A large ‘cave ‘ has been created and can be explored.

At the point where the path splits east towards Swanage or west to St Albans Head with it’s coastguard station,are the remains of Winspit stone quarry. This is popular with climbers and has it’s possible to explore inside the rock face.

Opportunities to develop rock climbing skills.

Opportunities to acquire or develop rock climbing skills.

A few yards north of the quarry, you would have noticed a flight of steps ( with quite large stones ) leading up to the path along this beautiful coastline winding westwards.

For the most part the path is easily navigable and slightly inland of the cliff edge. Some sections have been moved further away from the cliff edge due to erosion. In spring and summer the route is lined with tall grasses and colourful wild flowers.

Spectacular views over the bays towards Lulworth.

Spectacular views over the English Channel.

Care should be taken not to stumble on short pieces of iron fence post projecting from the path, usually right in it’s centre. On fine days a succession of walkers coming the opposite way, lends the opportunity to exchange greetings as you pass on the narrow path.

Peace and tranquillity on a hot June day, broken only by the sound of Skylarks and the sea below.

Most of the route to St Albans Heads undulates gently, but s few sections are steeper and care should be taken where the surface is loose and slippery – particularly when descending.

Unrestricted views towards Lulworth with it’s cove and steep climb westwards.

A good place to pause for refreshments and to get you breath back, is just below the Coastguard station, manned by volunteers. Nearby is a row of white coastguard cottages and an ancient chapel.

A rare seat is located in a prime position on the approach to Chapman's Pool.

A welcome seat is located in a prime position on the approach to Chapman’s Pool.

Not for the feint hearted of those who find difficulty navigating steps, steep flights of steps lead down to and away from Chapmans Pool.

The Coastguard Station at St. Albans Head

Steep flights of steps lead down to Chapman' Pool.

Steep flights of steps lead down to Chapmans Pool and up the other side

For those returning to Worth Matravers, about 3 miles along a wide chalk path, pause a while in the 800 year old St. Adhelm’s Chapel.

The cross on the altar of St Albans Chapel, Worth Mataravers.

The cross on the altar of St Adhelm’s Chapel, Worth Mataravers.

St Alban Chapel has stood her for 800 years.

St Adhelm’s Chapel has stood here for 800 years.

Dorset Coastal Path

The return to Worth Matravers, is ideal for a chat with your companions.

The long road home.

A working quarry adds interest to the return journey

Worth Matravers.

Whilst 6 miles is not too long for most walkers, I found the last mile was definitely the longest. Entering the village, passing the church and up past the Square and Compasses was the cruellest and it was a great relief to kick my boots off, once back to the car. The views, peace and tranquillity is well worth the effort !

NB : The route, with a diversion to view Chapman’s Pool and return to the coastguard station was measured on GPS as 6.03 miles.

Words and pictures : Tony Knight photography and MEDIA

MUDEFORD AND AVON BEACH ON DORSET’S ” GOLD COAST “

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Tony Knight

What has turned the sleepy Dorset coastline into it’s ‘ Golden Coast ‘ ?

Mudeford and the Avon Beach just over the Hampshire border, the county of which it was once a part, is not quite what it at first might seem.

Situated at the entrance of Christchurch Harbour, with small craft weaving through the narrow channel, against the tide, it is peaceful, sedate almost, with the air of a small fishing harbour popular with visitors, seeking a stroll, fresh air without the burden of the exclusivity and millionaire reputation of Bournemouth or Sandbanks. Whilst it is comfortable, retirement country, stretching from Highcliffe in the east, it’s change in fortunes is often overlooked.

The entrance to Christchurch Harbour.

It’s a great place to walk along the strand from Highcliffe the 1.80 miles to the facilities at Avon Beach, with it’s now rather more upmarket ‘ Noisy Lobster ‘ restaurant, fish and chip, coffee, shop and toilets ideally situated to suit all tastes. Whatever the weather, it’s always popular with visitors.

Avon Beach, popular with visitors of all ages.

I’ve visited Mudeford since I was a child, but have never ventured on the ferry to the other side or walked to Hengisbury Head and have always wondered what the beach hut visitors enjoy about their experience. At the beginning or end of season, or bracing days – they huddle inside and even around the entrances, clutching hot drinks and reading avidly.

Many of the beach huts have intriguing names as well as numbers.

Ravaged by the fierce storms a couple of years ago, many beach huts were destroyed and had to be replaced in the coastal protection and regeneration works which followed. Walking along the promenade, the locked wooden huts have always seemed to me to be an acquired taste. Most are padlocked as you pass by and are painted in various shades of blue, with minimal facilities, on the outside they resemble large garden sheds. Facing the Isle of Wight, they are beloved by devotees, mainly elderly couples seeking quiet days by the sea.

A walk along the prom and a cuppa perhaps.

Any thoughts that beach huts are cheap and cheerful, are quickly dispelled, by recent sales, when these mostly basic structures, come up for sale. They are quickly snapped up. Reached from the Mudeford Quay ferry, or from beyond Hengisbury Head on the Bournemouth side, the beach houses on the other side of water regularly make six figures, the latest example selling for £270,000. Some have basements, fully fitted interiors, even have toilets and are more of a home from home, with the benefit of very exclusive views right on the beach.

Even basic beach huts achieve five figure sums – easily.

Visible across the water from Mudeford Quay, are the start of the more exclusive standard of properties on Dorset’s ‘ Gold Coast. ‘

Googling ‘ The British seaside holiday ‘ reveals that no longer are these a basic no frills, cheap alternative. The recent spirit of nostalgia, has elevated these structures into an estate agent’s dream, high on their list of desirable properties, particularly at Frinton-on-Sea; Bournemouth and here at Mudeford and Avon Beach, turning the coastline into part of Dorset’s ‘ Gold Coast. ‘

The popularity of the area is reflected in the car parking charges at Dorset’s ‘ Gold Coast ‘in spring / summer.

NOTE : Car parking is available on Mudeford Quay; Avon Beach ( Free in Winter / early spring. £4.50 for 4 hours upper car park; £5.50 at the beach car park ); and several other locations and at Highcliffe. )

Sailing and Seaguls at Mudeford Quay.

Words and Pictures : Tony Knight photography & MEDIA

THAILAND : The Shopping Never Waivered – in the Land of Smiles !

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Tony Knight

THAILAND :

The Shopping Never Waivered – in the Land of Smiles.

We’d descended the stairs from the Skytrain at Mo Chit station, in the rising April heat, just 3 hours after landing in the Thai capital Bangkok. At 8.30am, we made our way from the busy street frontage into the bustling Chatuchak Weekend Market., spread over 35 acres of land in the north of the city. Luckily, we only made a modest incursion into the 15,000 stalls and a couple of it’s 27 diverse sections. We made it ahead of the 200,000 visitors who throng there daily.

Shopping in Asia can be so cheap.

From the moment we arrived, until we left some 2 hours later against the flow, my sister Janet, eyes popping at the sheer variety of elephant patterned trousers at 100 baht, the shopping began in earnest. Unable to believe just how cheap everything was compared with the UK, she vacuumed up all before her. This one, for our sister June; those for the grand-children. The shopping was to continue apace until safely through check-in for the TG 916 at Savarnabhumi Airport 19 days later, determined to resist at all costs the glittering array of designer goodies, they made their way to the departure gate and home.

Spoilt for choice

Still not believing that she was in an Asian bargain basement, some days later Janet was joined by my wife Runge, after we’d crossed the Cha Prya river from Wat Arun, stopping at an Aladdin’s cave neither of them could ignore. The polite lady owner must have thought that all her Christmases had come at once, as they scooped up small coloured fabric elephants, key-rings and other souvenirs, negotiating favourable price reductions and loading up their ‘porters’ – Richard and Tony. ‘

Wanting to visit the weekend market had meant a quick turn round on arrival at the Eastin Grand Hotel, after checking in. We decided to pack a great deal into the first day and having arrived at a busy hotel before most guests had checked out, we piled on to the adjacent Skytrain. Not surprisingly we arrived back at the hotel after a couple of hours and still had a little time before the rooms were ready. The comfortable sofas in the foyer were not wasted !

After a 6,000 mile flight and early morning shopping out '[ three wise monkeys ' collapsed in a heap for a snooze.

After a 6,000 mile flight and early morning shopping our ‘ three wise monkeys ‘ collapsed in a heap for a snooze.

SONGKRAN CELEBRATRIONS IN THE STREETS

Thai New Year celebrations include throwing water at passers-by at the hottest part of the year in April

Songkjran celebrations - these children score a direct hit on a passing cyclist

Songkran celebrations – these children score a direct hit on a passing cyclist

YET TO COME – A Glimpse

Richard and Janet’s first taste of Thailand had been hot ( 41c – feels like 50 ); strong spices, chillies and Rambutan – no problems there; swaying along atop an elephant by the River Kwai; scrambling up the steps from the railway from hell, at Hintok’s Hellfire Pass. None of this phased either of them. Being honorary members of a Thai family, attending a magical Thai wedding. This heady mix of experiences had been a fabulous introduction, leaving them wanting more – soon !

Feeling the heat ? a young elephant at Tawachee Elephant Camp, Kanchanaburi Province takes a rest

Janet taking a trunk call !

An early morning journey over the route of the infamous Thailand to Burma railway.

Richards meets a durian.

Nongki Temple Isan

A DAY TO REMEMBER – Art & Gift’s formal wedding group, Rayong, Thailand, 21 April 2018

Richard and Janet at Wat Arun – The Temple of Dawn – Bangkok, Thailand.

Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand, A visitor poses in front of a highly decorated statue.

Words & Pictures : Tony Knight photography & MEDIA

44 – (0)1962 – 852124.

E : comarkuk@ntlworld.com

SIR HAROLD HILLIER GARDENS, AMPFIELD, ROMSEY, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND IN MAY – A Garden for All Seasons & All Reasons !

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Tony Knight

Rhododendrons in the Garden

The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens at Ampfield near Romsey in southern Hampshire are 180 acres of sheer bliss. Effectively gardens for all seasons, they are visited for all reasons too. In my recent visit, at the end of May 2017, I encountered visitors of all ages. There is plenty of seating tucked away in quiet corners, just far away from each other, yet near enough for short walks.

One regular visitor whom I met in the late afternoon, was sitting under the trees near Jermyns House. He frequently spends a few quiet minutes there after a busy day, wrapped in the peace and quiet, before making his way home more relaxed. That’s real garden therapy and much as the late Sir Harold Hillier must have done in quiet moments over the years, surveying the work of his labours, as he added to his collection of plants and shrubs.

: The Gardens are well sign-posted and supplemented with
‘ current Interest ‘ signs

: Map of the gardens

The Gardens make an ideal venue for schools groups to learn about the countryside, flora and fauna – and for a picnic lunch.

: A picnic lunch on the lawns

The sandy soil of this part of Hampshire is ideal for a blaze of colour from the far slopes of the Himalayas – a splash of Asian magic, woven into the Garden’s ‘ green tunnels.’

Wherever you wander the landscape changes. An intriguing and eclectic collection of over 100 sculptures is in the Gardens from 13 May to 15 October this year. Many in the form of animals, birds and insects, they are sculpted from metal, ceramics, wood and various other mediums. For the 18th year, wherever you look; through the trees and bushes; around the lake; on the trees you come across diversity of shapes and sizes.

Wherever you walk, visitors are enjoying the spectacle, resting their legs or just having a quiet cup of tea.

: Golden moments : soaking up the peace, quiet of the gardens

Sir Harold Hillier.

https://hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens

SIR HAROLD HLLIER GARDENS & ARBORETUM – a garden for all seasons – SPRING

Posted on April 24, 2017 by Tony Knight

Getting out on a warm day in early March, shrug off the cold winter and re-awaken your spirit

The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum was founded in the early 1950’s by Harold Hillier to house his growing international collection of trees and shrubs. ” H.G. ” as he was affectionately known travelled widely in Asia on plant hunting expeditions, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, the illustrious 18th – 19th century Veitch family; the Lobb brothers and the Hooker family, amongst them.

I remember researching parish church registers for the Romsey area in the 1970’s and coming across entries for Hilliers with biblical names. They worked on the land too. Indeed, I have an historical family connection with Hilliers Nurseries. My father worked at number one nursery in the 1950’s. My uncle – Walter Arthur Prior worked for Hilliers Nurseries at No 1 nursery in Winchester, rising from garden boy until he retired as Chief Propagator, and being awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Gold Medal for services to Horticulture.

Plants around the gardens are discretely labelled to aid identification.

The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens present a different aspect, whatever time of the year you visit. In the autumn and winter months, when the plants are resting, visitors are rewarded with a sense of stillness and the gardens take on a different mantle. Filigree patterns of tree branches, can be laced with frost glinting in the early morning sunshine as mist rises from the pond, lending a magical aspect to the area’s rising contours. Thoughts turn to visitor’s own gardens, planting tulips and daffodils and the prospects for the year ahead.

Wandering the paths is a delight, as with the lengthening days and rising temperatures, buds open, primroses lift their faces to follow the Sun round the horizon and Camellias, Magnolias and early Rhododendrons begin to add their vivid colours.

Over the years many distinguished visitors have also enjoyed the gardens. Her Majesty, the Queen opened the new visitor and educational facilities. I remember the beautiful afternoon on 9th May 1978, when Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother officially handed over the Arboretum to the care of Hampshire County Council. During her visit, Her Majesty paused to admire the view towards Braishfield and met children from the village school. She then decided not to use the open vehicle to ride across the gardens, preferring to walk towards Jermyns House. after the presentation ceremony, to enjoy the delightful afternoon weather. An array of distinguished guests from civic life; the world of gardening attended and the curator Roy Lancaster was presented to the Queen Mother.

On trhe lawns close to Jermyns House, work goes on aroudn the year to tend the grounds.

Jermyns House was the home of Sir Harold and Lady Hillier from 1953.

During May and June the gardens are in full bloom, setting the borders and landscape ablaze with colour. I like to imagine what it must have been like to live in this beautiful re-creation of exotic eastern landscapes, as Sir Harold and Lady Hillier did, in a far off time when such beauty could only be seen abroad by the plant-hunters, who introduced these wonders of the world into the Hampshire countryside for us all to enjoy.

It is a haven of peace, beauty and a great place in which to admire the best of Hampshire’s landscape.

WEBSITE : https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens

Source : Tony Knight

Tony Knight On-line

Photographer, Broadcaster & Travel Journalist

Category Archives: Travel