Gorse and gunfire!

We gathered for this Lulworth Cove holiday in the garden hotel in the evening sunshine - to introduce ourselves and discuss the weekend.

Some then walked down to the Cove to watch the divers return.

Later we all gathered for drinks and dinner before an early night for most and a stroll to the pub for others.

This morning after breakfast we all congregated in the garden again to collect our picnics before heading off to the coastal path east of Lulworth and onto the Ranges.

It was windy and misty with a spattering of rain but invigorating nonetheless.

After walking to Arish Mel we turned down a lower path and headed down to Mupes Bay passed the gorse which is just coming into flower.

Despite the cloud cover the sea was the most beautiful colour.

We settled on the beach for lunch and admired the view along the coast.

We then climbed back up to coastal path for a final look east before heading to the Fossil Forest.

The Forest shows evidence of the landscape 135 million years ago and is an astonishing place to view.

Some of us climbed down for a closer look at the rock formations. We then walked back to Lulworth Cove and enjoyed the view across the water.

Walking back along the beach we were pleased to see that spring is on its way.

We walked back round the cove and, as ever, as we sat for tea at the Beach Café the sun came out.

8 of us decided to drive up to Lulworth Castle for a further stroll.

Deciding not to pay £7.00 entrance we simply strolled in the gardens and visited the Church which had a good exhibition about Thomas Hardy on display. Later we all met for drinks and a jolly dinner.

Monday was bright and sunny and we collected our picnics before heading off to the coastal path west of Lulworth.

Although still breezy the walking was perfect.

We stopped for a rest in the churchyard at St Catherine's and sat amongst the daffodils and primroses and enjoyed the view out to sea.

We set off for White Nothe and our lunch stop behind the gorse.

A wonderful silence descended after lunch while the group rested, looked out to sea and listed to the skylarks above.

Our walk back took us along this stunning coastline before cresting the hill to see Durdle Door.

Our path took us passed the Door and finally over to Lulworth Cove and our final descent to the village.

One of the group decided to walk back along the beach via Man O' War Bay and enjoyed looking more closely at the geology of the area.

Parts of the day on Monday and Tuesday were punctuated by the sound of gunfire from the Ranges which was both strange and interesting.

After a rest, drinks and dinner a number of us walked up to Stair Hole to look at the full moon over the sea.

The light was strong enough to cast moonshadows.

On Tuesday morning we collected our final picnics and headed off inland onto the ridge and onto the old Drovers Path into Winfrith.

We walked through the village and onto a track leading through a beautiful valley and back onto the coastal path.

We stopped on Hambury Tout for lunch (behind the gorse) and a final look along the coast before heading back to Lulworth for a final cup of tea and fond farewells.

A super, interesting and happy group and our special thanks to Meg the dog who behaved perfectly all weekend and was good company.