Return to Lulworth Cove

The seagulls fly over head and the waves roll in.  As a stand on the shore of Lulworth cove the clouds move in and cover the frosty sky.  The water is a beautiful turquoise even when the sun has gone in.  This amphitheatre that I am stood in is more than 65 million years old.  The Jurassic coastline.  I have been here many times.  We used to come when my father was alive.  Walk down to the cove and then play at Stair Hole before walking over to Durdle Door.  I miss those summer days.  There are a lot of memories here.  Today I have come down with Pan.  It's a bit of a drive but a soon as you see the sea through the Portland hills, 6 miles before you arrive, you know the drive has been worth every minute, every round-a-bout, every lorry!

 I love this place.  The cove, the white cliffs, the bay, the smell of the sea.  I can close my eyes and just the smell of the salty air and seaweed transports me to so many places in my mind.  Places I remember, places I have forgotten.  Pan has been here before.  But it is the first time I have taken him over to the East side of the cove.  The view from the top is amazing.  The bowl of the cove and the colour of the water is simply beautiful.  I could stay up here for hours but Pan is restless and wants to walk.  In the distance I can see a huge boat, probably a cargo ship, miles away on the horizon.  The wind is strong but it's not too cold.

 After our summit we head back into the cove and then walk along the ridge to Stair Hole.  There's been a lot of earth movement here in the last couple of years, a lot of erosion, new fences have been erected and the clay is very sticky.  But keeping people away is good.  It will preserve it, hopefully until I have kids and I can bring them here.

 The beach at Durdle door is exceptional.  The pebbles are soft and full of colour.  Grey and white and browns fill the beach floor.  The beautiful arch is one of the most awe inspiring natural monuments I have ever seen.  I hope it stands for hundreds of years to come.  In the cliffs there are caves to play in.  Just let yourself be a kid.  Let everything go and climb and root around.  Discover the child within you.  I want to sleep in one of these one night and make a fire.  I want to watch the sunset and see the night sky full of stars from within this cave before I die.

And that was our day.  Some things can be so simple.  Never forget.

Peace,

Dan