I love to be amazed at the sheer scale of the place here, the view looking out is pretty deceptive as Portland itself is not a huge place, not that high.
You are looking out onto a flatter land which makes it seem less than it is in my opinion.
It is a huge beach, and tapers into....the distance.
Yet, you stand up here looking out and you can see it is a view of huge scale after a few seconds, you realise that beach itself is 18 odd miles!
Go to the Hardy's monument in Dorchester and look back to here.
Majestic!
The view from Hardy's area, or the top of ridgeway coming from Dorchester, or from swanage, wool direction, coming past the white horse, when Portland comes into view IS home, paradise, stuff of dreams when you are a child, coming back home from a holiday away, or from a visit to family farther afield.
Not many people get that kind of feeling...most have some sort of landmark to tell them they are near home...us, we get to actually see Porland come into view.
One of the best feelings of a Portland child's life. :o)
Never underestimate that when taking your child anywhere.
That coming back home feeling is just great! :o)
ReplyDeleteBack in the early 1980s Andy, myself and the boys returned to the north east for my mother-in-laws funeral. On our return to Portland we got to thinking that if anything should happen to my parents we could not get up north very quick and so on our next visit, we started looking at properties in the area near to our families. Quite naturally, the boys wondered what was going on and when we explained to them their voices raised up as one chorusing, 'but all our friends are at Portland'. This stayed in our minds for the whole journey back south, and I have to say that as we drove over the top of Ridgeway and saw this beautiful island, Andy and I looked at each other and said 'nah, THIS is home' and we have no desire ever to leave. It is, without a doubt, one of the best of God's creations, our own little paradise. Another lovely view is as you come along from Poxwell to Osmington and Portland appears between the hills proud and majestic - wonderfully breathtaking in the sunshine whatever time of year.
ReplyDeleteLovely blog Rob once again. Keep 'em coming mate
Thanks,
ReplyDeleteSounds alot like what my mum and dad probably felt when they drove us back from nan's after she moved back "oop north" :o)
It was always great get away, but always great to get home too.