It would have been a lovely day out if we had gone a day earlier, but that's life, you can plan a trip to the nth degree BUT you can't plan the weather, it rained, it poured.
M and I had a day trip with our local coach company to Shaftesbury and Lulworth Cove in Dorset. Shaftesbury is a historic hilltop market town in North Dorset, England, famous for Gold Hill, cobbled streets, views of the Blackmore Vale, and its founding by King Alfred the Great in the 9th century.
Gold Hill is a steep, cobbled street lined with picturesque thatched cottages that famously featured in a 1970s Hovis bread commercial directed by Ridley Scott and titled "The Bike Ride" or "Boy on the Bike." It aired in 1973 and featured a young boy pushing a bike loaded with Hovis bread up a steep, cobblestone street. The nostalgic advert, set to the music of Dvořák's New World Symphony, concluded with the boy freewheeling back down the hill, showcasing the brand's traditional, heart-warming image and cementing it as one of Britain's most iconic commercials.
The cat obliged for a photo but sensed what was coming. A few seconds after snapping the scene the rain started pouring down and the cat ran for shelter, and we headed for shelter in a cafe for some lunch, after which the rain had eased off and we strolled around.
St Peter's Church
Nice little park area
with lovely views over the Blackmore Vale
Shaftesbury Abbey museum and gardens.
The Abbey was founded as a Benedictine Nunnery by Alfred the Great in AD888. Unfortunately we didn't have time to visit the abbey or the museum.
Alfred the Great
Next stop Lulworth Cove
Formed by the combined forces of the sea and a river swollen by melting ice at the end of the last Ice Age, Lulworth Cove is world famous for its unique geology and landforms including the Lulworth Crumple and Stair Hole.
Lulworth is considered one of the best places in the world to study geology with its amazing landforms and five types of rock.
We were considering walking round to that headland until a woman fell over after slipping on some wet seaweed!
So I walked up there instead
I was disappointed that we weren't taken closer to the famous Durdle Door rock. It was within walking distance, but we didn't have time to get there and back before the coach was due to leave
It was an enjoyable day but having spent more time on the coach than at our destinations we both agreed that we wouldn't do any more long trips
Be safe and well∼
Polly x
I always assumed that street was in Yorkshire!
ReplyDeleteMe too Liz. All the times I remember seeing the commercial and it's only now that I realise the man is speaking with a west country accent!
DeleteI've always wanted to visit Gold Hill. It looks like a wonderful spot -- I'm just so sorry you had to content to rain. Love those cheeses in that photo!
ReplyDeleteIt would have been more enjoyable with sunny weather.
DeleteMy later mother-in-law lived in Shaftesbury, and my eldest granddaughter was married at St Peter's. It was a shame you could not have spent longer in the area. It is a long and tiring journey to Dorset.
ReplyDeleteIt was Janice. We've done long day trips before but I think this was the longest, we didn't check it out beforehand.
DeleteThat's a VERY steep street, and a very pretty village. The cove is lovely, too. It's fun to see these places, but all that time on the coach would get tiresome.
ReplyDeleteIt did Lorrie, we won't be doing any more long trips!
DeleteI'm sorry the weather didn't play along but the light was good for the photos, they are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thank you Amalia, I was pleased with the photos considering how dull the day was but I did enhance some, and some are postcards😊
DeleteSTUNNING area to shoot. What a treat.
ReplyDelete😊
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