October Round Up
October was a fabulous month for photography as the weather in the south of England was, for the most part, just gorgeous. We made two trips this month, one at the beginning of the month to the Dorset coast to celebrate out 43rd wedding anniversary and the other to the Isle of Wight a week or so ago.
Arriving in south Dorset on a sunny (if very windy) day we headed for Portland and the east end of Chesil Beach, where the views are absolutely stunning. We drove right out to the lighthouse at Portland Bill where I nearly got blown off the cliff and Brian stayed in the car because of a recent eye problem. We then headed off to Burton Bradstock where we were meeting our friends who also got married on the same day 43 years ago.
We had booked two nights dinner bed & breakfast at the Seaside Boarding House and would thoroughly recommend it.
The next day we all set out to explore nearby Abbotsbury before we parted company. Our friends set off on an 8 mile hike while we explored the unique Swannery which was established by Benedictine monks over 1000 years ago around the time of the Norman Conquest.
At the end of the month we were back by the sea this time on the Isle of Wight. we had two lovely sunny days and one that was on the dull side. We had been to the other side of the Island to visit the electrical goods tip (the only place where you can dump your broken electrics!) and on the way back passed Mottistone Manor, one of our favourite National Trust destinations. We thought there might be a bit of autumn colour but were amazed by what we saw. I just couldn’t believe there were so many flowers out in late October.
Back to the beach now! On Saturday morning we watched these canoes set off from Totland Beach, imagine our surprise when we caught up with them again late afternoon at Freshwater Bay – they had presumably paddled all the way past the Needles – rather them than me!
Walking along the beach at Freshwater Bay in the opposite direction we spotted what at first looked like a load of buoys marking lobster pots in the distance. As we got nearer we realised they were in fact bobbing heads! Turned out they were a group of young people who were on a leadership / team building course run by NCS doing different activities every day. Today’s adventure for this group had included jumping out of a cave into the sea then coasteering along to the beach.
Well that’s some of our October highlights. Hope you had a great month too – I’d love to hear what your highlights were.
Celebrating positive ageing. Having fun engaging with my creativity, seeking new adventures and following my dreams. 
You sure did have a really beautiful October. Mottistone Manor is stunning – what fun for a photographer!
I love Mottistone – once a year who can see the inside which is still lived in – The family that live there are the descendants of General Jack Seeley who owned the original Warhorse “Warrior”that the play was based on.They also become the tour guides for the open day which was fascinating
Oh wow, such beautiful photos and the places you’ve been!! Love the name ‘The Swannery’, gorgeous. I’m very envious of all your visits to such lovely places and where you live. xox
Glad you like the pictures Linda. I know I am very lucky to live near so many beautiful places
Beautiful photos of beautiful places! How wonderful that you had such lovely weather through October. A trip sounds so good…I haven’t been out of my usual haunts in a very long time.
Thanks Lee
This was such a lovely post Barb…I miss England so much, so it’s always nice to visit. You live in a beautiful area. I especially loved the second photo of the rough, sandy beach and you had a beautiful leading line in there..The castle was also quite lovely…
This Fall has been to all of us…and quite mild here also…
Enjoy your weekend.
Thanks Cheryl hope you get to visit England again soon