Another week in Dorset

Oh, look! It's a Dorset blog again! 
All the pictures in this blog are © Matt ArtPix

It will not stop here, I'm afraid, as we are planning on returning there for two weeks in the autumn!
We are getting seriously addicted to this marvellous county and its soothing beauty, and there are so many things to see - and quite a lot happening too, all year round! 

Our week was too short - as usual - but we had time to visit some new places... and return to some of our favourite spots - all mentioned in my previous blogs: Bridport and its Art and Vintage quarter which is fighting for survival; St Catherine's Chapel in Abbotsbury, which is my very own favourite; I get goose bumps each time I am there. We always end up at the rather wonderful Abbey House for tea... This is the best place to be in the whole world, honest! My dream would be to take up residence for 6 months at the Abbey House and just write and write, only stopping to go walking around the breathtakingly beautiful countryside... By the way, St Catherine's chapel makes an appearance - in disguise - in my second novel, The Book of Thoth. 

View of Abbotsbury taken from the path leading to St Catherine's Chapel

We didn't go back to the Sanctuary Bookshop in Lyme Regis, but it is on our list for the autumn...  The Booklovers B&B above the shop has its own website!

We did go back to the hauntingly atmospheric Tyneham village, and the nearby Worbarrow Bay and had a long walk with an incredible view of Lulworth Castle. 

Worbarrow Bay near Tyneham

There are some very strange creatures around Tyneham... A new idea for a movie... Move over Terminator!

Another discovery was the fabulous Durlston Country Park.  
Durlston Castle, a Victorian "folly" built by George Burt, nicknamed "The King of Swanage". The castle was reopened in November 2011 as a stunning cultural and wildlife centre. 

The entrance to Durslton Castle

The Globe at Durlston Castle

They've even provided a slab for those who just can't help themselves!

We also discovered the gorgeous countryside around Pilsdon Pen and the chocolate-box villages of Beaminster and Evershot. 

On Pilsdon Pen, looking towards the sea...

The dreamy village of Evershot

And we went around the very handsome Sherborne castle, which was built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594. The interior is surprisingly cosy! 

Sherborne castle viewed from the other side of the lake, with a majestic Cedar of Lebanon on the left

Here's the Art Deco  Riviera Hotel near Weymouth... The ideal setting for an Agatha Christie novel! 

In my next Dorset blogs, you will find art, literature, monkeys and fluffy lambs... Stay tuned!