Brownsea

Every time I pass Brownsea Island I'm reminded that I've never been there, and am puzzled as to why. I need to rectify that.

Studland beach

You know it must be bloody cold out when Jack Frost is able to leave his mark on the salty environment of coastal sands; but this morning he did, and in spades. Nice out though, and as usual with an early start on our outward stretch we had the beach to ourselves. It was an early start too, as yet again the chain ferry between Sandbanks to South Haven Point is out of action and we had the long drive around Poole Harbour (25 miles or so); the ferry was supposed to be back running weeks ago after a service, although it was badly damaged on it's journey to Falmouth for aforementioned service so wont return until the end of February at the earliest. It's fated to troubles, man, it seems to have suffered issue after issue in recent years.

Poole Harbour

Poole Harbour; at 14 square miles, said to be the second biggest nature harbour in the world after Sydney Harbour.

Dark harbour

The surf part of today's walk was along Studland Beach again, well, what other beach would it be in the Purbecks. Hang on a minute though, that's not strictly true, Swanage has a lovely beach too, more your traditional seaside beach though, and there are plenty of smaller beaches snuggled in coves below the rugged cliffs of the Jurassic Coast. That said, the dune backed expanse of Studland, with its undeveloped broad open sandy beach is unique. The walking, as you'd imagine, was glorious, the sea air sweet in your lungs, young Bel warming your face, and hardly a soul amongst the dunes. What was noticeable though, was the dark menacing clouds approaching from the west, although they were still well in the distance. As luck would have it we made it back to the ferry just as said clouds rolled over the harbour and darkness descended.  Lady Luck had smiled on us today.

It was the Devil what done it!

It was the Devil what done it! Or at least that's what folklore says. They say the Devil was watching the building of Corfe Castle (in other versions it's Salisbury Cathedral) from the Isle of Wight, and for some reason decided to throw a massive rock at the site; probably something to do with Christians, he's not keen on them. The Devil's rock fell short, and that's how the Agglestone came to be where it is, on a prominent knoll on Godlingston Heath.  It used to be anvil shaped, although due to erosion toppled to it's current position some years ago, and it's eroded some since then again. It's a nice spot though, with lovely views, and well worth a visit.

Harbour sunset

A gentle sunset over the exposed sand and mudflats of low tide Poole harbour, although the weather wizards suggest bad weather is on its way.

Ower Quay

Like so much of the land I walk, there's a sense of desertion. Like times changed and moved on, leaving what was to fall into disrepair and decay.  Ower Quay has a grand name, a name it may or may not have deserved in the past, although now there is little too see.  A house, too low set and too close to the water for my liking; especially with climate change and rising sea levels.  Some stonework, which may be of some antiquity, and decaying wooden posts extending into muddy flats the rusting remains of barbed wire twisted about them; nothing to do with any quay I'm sure, more to do with wandering cattle no doubt. Though the current appearance my be a deception, as it's said that during the medieval period Ower was indeed the site of an important quay used in the Purbeck stone industry. Recent archaeological research suggests there may be some truth to this. There's an air of isolation around Ower, even on a lovely day like today. I'd imagine it's desolate in bad weather. There's an air of isolation about all the land on this side of the harbour. It may only be a stones throw away from the major Bournemouth/Poole conurbation, though you'd be forgiven for thinking it's more than just distance that separates it, it's time too. 

Green Island

Green Island from Ower Quay.  I wouldn't mind living on an island like Green Island.

Harbour Wreck

This boat, or what remains of it, has been here for 25 years to my knowledge at least and more than likely a great deal more years than that. As I remember when I first saw it, it was already a wreck. Over the intervening years I've seen its remains reduced to merely its bow and a piece of hull.  Although it doesn't seem that long ago that a good half a boat could easily be made out. It must be. I wonder how it came to be left, marooned on a sandy spit on the quiet side of Poole harbour. What was it's history or that of the folk who used it?