Cracking Hardy

For the record, here he is. The miserable old coot lived to 88. You will notice Lyn has acquired some items in the shopping paradise that is Dorchester.

This morning Dorset had returned to our normal weather, so we went to the seaside at nearby Lulworth Cove. This is a haven for Brits visiting the seaside in the summer and school geography excursions all year round.

The geology of the area is fascinating - this is Britain's famous Jurassic Coast - but I will spare you the explanation of Portland Stone, ammonites and such.

Then we raced into Dorchester to visit the library, (to print off a tour voucher we need in France), to see the statue and, because we saw how close we were, Maiden Castle. This isn't a castle at all of course class; it is a massive Iron Age hill fort. Earth moving was certainly a forte of the ancient Britons. It didn't do them much good when the legions assaulted the place to establish their hold over the West Country. The clouds were closing in when we visited and then two massive RAF twin rotor helicopters belted over the castle.

Lyn bought clothes in Dorchester - and then she expressed a desire to see a castle - of the proper sort. So we headed for Corfe Castle and the Swanage railway. The latter is a proper 5 station branch line run by really old duffers in proper ye olde uniforms. The trains are steam locomotives and old style carriages. The old guys massively overstaff the line. Ticket-sellers, flag-wavers, conductors, engine-drivers and carpark-attendants were all lovely. (Their wives are no doubt staffing the nearest National Trust properties.)

We were just in time to catch a train from Norden to Corfe Castle. It is indescribably beautiful. The sun had, of course, returned.

We even got in free with our National Trust card.

But wait! Corfe also turns out to be fairly obsessed with another author associated with Dorset - Enid Blyton. We went to the local stores to buy a gingerbread man and lashings of ginger beer. 

This is our last night in Dorset. It was the rest we needed. Tomorrow we head for the fleshpots of Brighton.