Thwarted - Blackmore Vale Views

Photo by Nigel Freeman

This afternoon I drove my son home to Shaftesbury after a brief visit. The way took us along the higher Blandford road that normally offers some spectacular views over the Blackmore Vale. You can see a little of it in the photo above, which is of a spot that is the start of a number of footpaths we've taken over the years when we lived nearby.

On the opposite side of the road is the Compton Abbas airfield where most walkers end up to eat and refresh themselves as they take in yet more wonderful views and watch the plucky little aircraft landing and taking off on the grass runway in front of them.


Photo by Clive Perrin

If you move to the right of the spot in the first picture, you can look down on Melbury Abbas village and church, a view which is pictured below.



Photo by Stella Ridley

Sadly none of this was available to us today as the whole areas was blanketed in low clouds and rain. It was hard to see the road, let alone the views. I'm feeling pretty exhausted now.

Shaftesbury

This pic is of a rooftop decoration on Shaftesbury Abbey. I'm afraid it's a bit unfocused but I took it a few years ago with my old compact camera. And I guess my pic taking skills are not that good.

Shaftesbury is only a few miles from where I now live, and the Abbey is a great place to visit. It's mostly a garden planted over the ruins of the former buildings. The ones that still have a roof form a museum and some storage areas.

I took this roof photo from the pathway outside, which is called Park Walk and has the most wonderful views if you look away from the Abbey. Cue for another pic, I think.


At some point, I must write about the Abbey and its history. There are fascinating connections to a couple of Britain's monarchs. When I get to it, I'll report here. In the meantime enjoy some of the scenes of summer that keep us going through the bleak winter months.