The thrumming on Basil’s roof, which accompanies rain, ceased shortly after the dogs’ early morning walk and the forecast said to expect no more for the rest of the day. Upon surveying the map of the area Corfe Castle looked within walking distance and so that was the aim for the day.

Melek’s poorly paw seemed as if it was not so poorly any more, or perhaps, being a dog of very little brain, he forgot he was using his poorly paw as an excuse for skiving off all exercise. Whichever was the case he was roped in for the walk.

This part of Dorset, which I think is known as the Isle of Purbeck, is great walking country. The whole area is very rural and picturesque and criss crossed with bridleways and footpaths. Today’s walk, for a distance, followed the track of the Swanage Railway, one of Britain’s many heritage railways. Unfortunately for me the steam trains don’t start running until next weekend, although we did see a couple yesterday presumably on practice runs. Surprisingly Sarah doesn’t seem too upset about the absence of the steam trains!

Swanage Railway with Corfe Castle in the background

Harmons Cross station on the Swanage Railway

After the railway track we walked through some National Trust heathland with the gorse gorgeously in bloom. There were some, what appeared to be, wild ponies on the heath, which, being a horse lover, Sarah went over to pet. Surprisingly they were very friendly and soon Sarah had me in hysterics as she tried to take a selfie with a variety of ponies!

Sarah and a pony

The horse selfie!

We finished the route into Corfe across some meadows with great views of the castle and then meandered around the picturesque village to find somewhere for lunch. We found a dog friendly cafe for a sandwich and then had a quick look the castle from the outside. It was built by William the Conquerer and is supposed to one of the earliest castles to be constructed from stone, but after a thousand years only a few parts are now standing, although it is still, together with the village, an extremely popular tourist attraction.

Corfe Castle

The village bakery was visited for a loaf of bread and then Sarah noticed they advertised “award winning” eccles cakes and so it seemed rude not to buy one. Over lunch we had decided to take the easiest path home, although a fellow diner had urged us to instead take a more strenuous route along a ridge which links Corfe with Swanage. The eccles cake turned out to be anything but award winning, but the resulting eccles cake sugar rush had Sarah enthusing about the ridge walk. Melek, who had not had any cake, didn’t seem too impressed, but Sarah’s mind was made up.

Corfe village with the castle in the background

It was a good decision, because although miles were added and a climb was necessary, once we got up onto the ridge we suddenly realised we could see the whole estuary into Poole harbour and that haunt of millionaires, Sandbanks, in the distance. Ridges, once climbed, are always a pleasure to walk on, usually giving stunning views and this was no exception.

Poole Harbour from the ridge

Eventually we had to descend from the ridge and trudge along country lanes back to the campsite. It had been another fine days walking, albeit again very sludgy underfoot. The dogs were covered from head to foot in mud and in these circumstances are subject to the unpleasant indignity of being hosed down with cold water and wrapped in Sarah’s home made towelling doggie bags!