Our next stop was Church Ope, on the east side of the island. We were going to visit the Portland Museum, but due to bad planning, it was closed today. Instead we walked down past a ruined castle to a small cove:

Rocco enjoyed a swim or two:

Then we headed back up a different path, past a ruined church and back to the car.

A nice day was forecast, so we drove to Portland Island, just south of Weymouth. First stop was Portland Bill, the southern most tip, and after some battles with a non functioning parking meter, set off to explore. The lighthouse looks lovely in the sun!

We visited the Lighthouse Visitor Centre, then I went on a tour of the lighthouse. This is the old lens, only replaced a few years ago:

And this is the modern LED equivalent, looking tiny by comparison:

Views from the top were superb:

After a coffee, we went for a stroll nearby; nothing special but a chance for Rocco to stretch his legs:

After a bit of an explore, we couldn’t find anywhere nice to eat our sandwiches, so we headed back to the top of the hill near Hardy’s Monument. Much windier than on the coast, but nice views!

After lunch, we had a quick stroll up to the monument (Admiral Hardy, not Thomas Hardy) and enjoyed the flowers.

This mornings dog walk was in woods at Blackdown, not far from Hardy’s Monument. Lovely paths through the wood, and even a geocache hidden in a tree!

Off to the seaside today at Cogden Beach, between Weymouth and Bridport.

Rocco had a swim after I threw that stick in the sea, but didn’t want to go in again!

We walked along the coast path to the next beach along (Hive Beach) where there was a cafe and facilities:

And then walked back to the car along the coast:

All surprisingly warm when out of the wind!

A lazy day today – we battled down quite challenging footpaths to the pub in the next village. But the views were good!

This is a very attractive old Sheep Washing Pool in Martinstown – Rocco would have loved to have a paddle, but I didn’t want a wet dog in the pub!

Rocco was of course very well behaved in the pub!

And lunch was a bit gigantic (and nice!):

Then our weary way home along the same route (not much choice of paths):

A lovely walk and lunch.

A lovely fine morning here in Dorset. Rocco didn’t have much of a chance to let off steam yesterday, so we drove up the hill to the Monument car park. Lovely views and nice paths from the car park:

Though given that the monument is at the top of the hill, most paths headed down!

Further on we were in the woods with many bluebells

And then climbed back up and circled around the north of the monument

A nice walk!

Today I went to the Royal Academy to see an exhibition.  I started off by getting the train to Victoria, then walked to Piccadilly via Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park.  There were loads of people about.

The exhibition was all about the Hispanic world.  It was really varied, and there were some beautiful artifacts.

After a lunch in a nearby café, retraced my steps, then walked home from Orpington station, including popping in for a chat with Christine.

We’re in York for a couple of days.

An easy journey up to London – even the first fast train to London after 9:30, normally full of people using their free travel passes, was fairly empty.

The space between St Pancras and Kings Cross was lovely in the sunshine, but quite cold.

Our train to York wasn’t too crowded either and got to York on time.

After dropping our suitcase at the hotel, we had a beer then walked around the city walls.

Part way around, we stopped for another beer, then followed the walls around the back of York Minster.

Then back to the hotel to settle in.