Charlie's big splash...

what started out as a gentle summer walk along the Kennet & Avon canal (between two pubs, the Butt Inn and the Rowbarge and back again) turned into a bit of an adventure when Charlie the Westie decided that canal water tasted good and it didn't look that deep!

Fortunately he remembered doggie paddle and was hauled out looking rather sorry for himself and a little warier from that point on.

I didn't take any pics of the walk today (I should have it was quite beautiful) but here's the route walked (almost 4½ miles)

Also spotted were some black-winged dragon flies - I have only seen those with clear wings so far and lots of butterflies.



With a little research I discovered they were male Banded Demoiselles - and stunning they were though none of those I saw would sit still enough for a photo like this one!!!

Something I've been thinking about for a few years

and finally got around to getting done today



37 and still rebelling, wonder what work will think about it (I have next week off on annual leave so gives me time to be able to talk properly, the first bar is longer to allow for swelling and has given me a bit of a lisp)

And the first close up pic of my new shorter hair cut though it's looking a little wind blown in this pic

Summer Reading Challenge: Tina's Task - read a book that takes place in WW2

Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
There are few books that provoke such an emotional response in me as this one did. The story of Oskar Schindler, of the huge risks and financial costs of his actions in World War II, the gratitude of his Jewish "prisoners" and the anti-climax of his life after World War II are beautifully crafted in this novel-style biography by Thomas Keneally.

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points total to date: 295

Summer Reading Challenge: Roseann's Task - Read a book about books and a book mentioned in the book about books and compare/review.

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was not an easy read though it may have been worth it for the little bits of information about life in Iran which I knew very little of. It was a dry book and much more in the style of literary criticism than memoir.

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Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door 08-08-2009

On the way home it was decided to visit Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, two places of interest on the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.



Panoramic view of Lulworth, showing the narrow gap in the Limestone and Purbeck Stone that has opened up much wider as the water hit the softer rocks behind.



View looking down into the Stair Hole next to Lulworth Cove. This is a new cove forming in the same way as Lulworth but much younger. At the far side you can see the vertical rock strata as the tectonic plates have pushed together.


More views of the Stair Hole, the eagle eyed amongst you may spot a daredevil or two climbing the rock face ready to jump into the waters below.



Splash of danger-seeking teenager jumping off cliff face! Luckily both surfaced without coming to major harm.


The Stair Hole showing another of the breakthrough points.



Man O'War Bay looking down from the clifftop. This bay is on the East side of Durdle Door. The name is a local one, the official one is St. Oswald's Bay, I wonder what the history is behind this place? Either way it looked an idyllic spot to anchor a yacht and have a beach barbecue.



Man O'War Rocks marking the entrance to Man O'War Bay



Durdle Door from the clifftop.



After a steep climb down a chalky path (with lots of loose chalk making it quite treacherous for those who were wearing flip-flops... my trainers felt much safer) we came to some steps down to either beach and a view of the old path that lead to the top of Durdle Door but is now closed to the public due to erosion and the risk of falling/rock slides.



Halfway down the stairs looking to Man O'War Bay



Looking West into the sunset at Durdle Door



Salty the Old Sea Dog not finding his sea legs when the waves got a little brisk. Look closely and you'll see he's actually scowling in disgust at getting dunking.



Looking East at the cliff face of Durdle Door, the specks on the top are people who can't read signs that say "Danger -No Access Due to Erosion"



Durdle Door.



Durdle Door with an itinerant tourist scrambling his way to the end.



He poses in triumph when he got to the end and shouted "Hey" I didn't wait to see if he made it back from there, there was a steep lot of stairs and cliff path to be climbed and home was beckoning.