The pristine Guide Falls is a twenty minute drive from our house. It is a lovely spot to have a picnic or just enjoy the scenery.
There are steps to the bottom of the falls and a walking track along the river.
At the end of summer there isn’t a lot of water flowing
but winter paints a different picture.
Another beautiful place right on our doorstep.
The Isle of Wight was a lovely surprise, so much to see and so much beauty in just 380 sq.km. We started early with a walk along Bembridge seafront
through peaceful countryside.
A short drive westward, we stopped at Adgestone Vineyard, the oldest vineyard in Britain. Unfortunately, there was no tasting but the views were breathtaking.
On to Arreton Barns, a traditional working craft village
with the 12th century Church of St George.
Donkeys are one of my favourite animals. I’ve always wanted a couple but Michael says they’re too noisy. The Donkey Sanctuary was heaven, a deserving retirement for these beautiful creatures who have patiently walked the seashores with all shapes and sizes on their backs.
We were hoping for a raptor experience at the Owl & Falconry centre but it was closed. All we got was more stunning scenery.
After a delicious pub lunch at The White Lion in Niton
we ventured on to Mottistone Manor. Dating from early 16th century, the house is not open to the public
but the gardens are wondrous to stroll around.
We continued driving to the most western point on the island. A short walk along the cliff top
rewarded with magnificent views across the Solent to Hurst Castle, built by Henry VIII in 1544.
At the tip of the headland are The Needles, three distinctive stacks of chalk rising out of the sea.
The Old Battery is a fort built in 1862 following the threat of French invasion.
These two gun barrels are original from 1873.
An underground tunnel
leads to an observation post housing a searchlight dating from 1899.
Further up the headland is the New Battery where British space rockets were secretly tested in the 1950s & 60s. After testing, they were taken to Woomera in South Australia for launching.
We made our way back to Bembridge for a well earned beverage and dinner. Next morning, we visited Bembridge Windmill. Built around 1700, it is the only remaining windmill on the Isle of Wight.
Last operated in 1913, most of the original machinery is intact.
Our final destination on the island was Yarmouth for the ferry journey back to the big island.
We appreciated a different perspective of Hurst Castle
and Lymington marina welcomed us back.
Being surrounded by forest means we are visited by a multitude of creatures, some of the most fascinating are the birds. The yellow-tailed black cockatoos usually stop by for a drink at the stock trough.
I don’t know how she was hanging on but this one found the bark of a tea tree very tasty.
I love their mournful call, unlike the hair raising screech of their sulphur-crested cousins.
One of my favourites is the kookaburra, they have so many different sounds.
Returning from the forest with Poppy one afternoon, she found this young fella in a predicament.
He must have dived for a tasty morsel and ended up with his head stuck in the fence. It was a rare occasion when Michael wasn’t around. I ran home and grabbed the wire cutters (and my camera) and cut him free. He was unable to fly so I made him comfortable in the possum trap
and called a friend experienced in wildlife rescue. She took him home for a couple of days while he recovered from exhaustion and dehydration, then, because kookaburras are territorial, he came home to be released.
The superb blue wrens continually bob around the garden
and are handsome even in their eclipse phase.
The New Holland honeyeaters,
eastern spinebills
and black-headed honeyeaters
enjoy feasting on the flowers. These three were deep in conversation.
Bath time is always a delight to watch.
The scarlet robins are gorgeous. It’s always nice to see them and to know winter is on the way.
This pair moved in last year, I hope they return.
The green rosella is a regular guest
but herons are rarely seen. This pair may have been staking out the fish pond.
Masked lapwings are a common sight. Often mistakenly referred to as plovers, they are much prettier. Notorious for nesting in the open and being very protective parents, I was privileged to approach this nest in our paddock without being attacked.
Here is my reward.
This cheeky chap joined me in the sunroom the other day.
The starlings are a bit of a nuisance but they look good in silhouette.
It’s not easy photographing birds, but I shall keep trying.
One afternoon, while staying in Ponte a Serraglio, we walked up the narrow, winding road to Bagni Caldi. Famous for its healing waters and natural grottos, the thermal spa town has been a favourite since the 13th century. We didn’t actually make it to the town but the walk held some delightful surprises. This seemed a sensible way to get the groceries home.
We crossed a tranquil, flowing stream
and passed a long forgotten chapel.
This building contrasted sharply with the verdant landscape.
As we climbed higher, the views became more breathtaking.
We made it as far as the Hotel Pio X.
The ominous clouds urged us to turn back.
It was a lovely way to walk off lunch.
Our last day in Darwin before heading south, we arrived early for a lunch date with a friend and took the opportunity to explore the Botanic Gardens. Named after George Brown, under whose guiding hand they were restored after Cyclone Tracy, the gardens exude a lovely serenity.
Some of the trees are works of art,
others serving as nature’s plant pots.
The tropical flowers are so delicate, I would love to have these in my garden.
There is colour everywhere.
The orange-footed scrub fowls are lucky to call the gardens home.
Lunch was calling and we were introduced to the Darwin Waterfront. Stokes Hill Wharf was there when we were last in Darwin in 2005,
but now the precinct is an impressive collection of eateries, accommodation and activity.
We dined at Il Lido with views over the lagoon
and Convention Centre.
There were some interesting beverages on tap
and the quarter pounder & fries were delicious.
We managed to ward off the heat with a few cold beers.
Cheers! Thanks for a great afternoon, Nigel, it was lovely to see you again.
cannonhillchronicles 