Perfect Picturesque Portland

Wow what a glorious glorious day it has been today - in every sense of the world.

We feel exercised, energised, invogorated and just plain happy actually.

As it was beautiful when we got up - which was of course early as we never really sleep late anymore, we decided to head off to do the three lighthouse walk at Portland.

I know I keep saying it ...but it is because it is true ....the light in the Autum is amazing.

Today the sky and the water were both a very spcial blue. Really really blue. And although my photos of today are not really Autumnal, ont he way there were spectacular Autumn colours, but there are things you capture in your heart rather than on camera and such was today.

I have only been to Portand twice. Once years ago we took a school group to the Time Walk in Weymouth and then we went and had a picnic on Portland. Porland is quite an austere place and there is a prison there. Nigel compared it to the Alcatraz of England and whilst not that bleak and much bigger with lots of people living there, there is a distinct similarity.

The other time was when a very close friend of ours got married and his new bride lived on Portland. Nigel was best man at the weddinga nd that was a day to remember. To access Portland there is only one road on and off the 'island' (Obviously it is not and island but you know what I mean) Along one side runs the Chessil, a gravel pebble spit that is a unique feature and world renowned. The day we went for the wedding, which was in January, was incredibly stormy. The waves were coming right up on the road, there was a gale force wind and it was brutal. The Reception was at The Heights, right ont he top of the massive rock that is Portland and it felt like the hotel was going to be blown away. I remember us thinking we might never get back over to the mainland.

Today was so NOT like that. There wasn't the tiniest breath of wind, even right on the top, right by the Heights, where we parked first of all.

 
In the picture above you can see the gravel spit of Chessil on the left and the road onto Portland roughly in the centre of the photo.

 

Portland is famous for its Portland Stone of course. Stone that is white-grey  and beautiful and much prized.  Many famous places have been made from Portland stone because of its great beauty including Buckingham Palace, the Cenotaph and St Paul's Cathedral in London.

 

We walked down to this beautiful sculpture dedicated to the stone.

 

 

 

We then headed off to Portland Bill and the lighthouse. It was beautiful

 

 

On the way back it was such a lovely day we stopped in Weymouth, a real proper old fashioned seaside town.

 

They even still have donkey rides on the sand - though I am not quite sure about how I feel about that actually.

 

 

 

and we stopped for the obligatory ice-cream. Well it would have been rude not to ... and they were huge

 

Now I understand that it is very lucky when a birdblesses you in his own special way. But do you know what - I already feel very lucky and blessed, I am happy with my life and have had a wonderful day and I really and truly didn't NEED to blessed whilst sat eating my ice-cream. As Nigel said, at least it was on my leg not on my head or my ice-cream. But I am quite happy to give that sort of luck a miss in the future - thank you Mr Seagull.

 

And there has to be a picture of the day and se between us we chose this one - taken by a nice group of people we had taken pictures of for them. It reminds us of the Olympic heritage of Weymouth.

 

I have been working this afternoon and have more to do yet so a quick bit of scrapping to leave you with.

This celebrates last weekend.

Today I am thankful for

• a wonderful day exploring in the sunshine
• a restful weekend so I feel refreshed for the next week
• caramel chunk ice-cream - oh yes!

Have a good week everyone.

 

 

Comments

[Mary B]

some truly superb photos and the sky in the second one is spectacular so glad you had such a fantastic day setting you up for the coming week.

[CoventryAnn]

Lovely to see your Weymouth and Portland photos, my fave places in the UK!

[jane]

my grandparents lived on Portland so I have many happy memories of holidays there.

[Mary D]

I just checked your blog today,and what fantastic pictures ,beautiful blue sky and sea and ice cream.the one and only time we were in Weymouth, it was a beautiful day and so hot ,we had ice cream cones and had a great day .
Today we have pouring rain and strong winds,but very mild

[Jennifer Grace]

Ooh, it looks like you had a fabulous day in Portland. I've never been there when it's a nice day, it's been a bit drizzly when I've visited, I'd like to see it in the sunshine! I love the photo of you two posing behind the rings.

Your layout is gorgeous, I love the autumnal colours and all the swirls. Thanks for joining in with my Frosty Festivities challenge! x