Hills and views-Golden Cap

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Golden Cap from Charmouth

Golden Cap, at 627 ft, is one of the highest points on the Dorset coastline and dominates the view eastwards from Lyme Regis and westwards from West Bay. 

When I peer groggily from my bedroom window first thing in the morning and see it's still there I know all's right with world. To me, it is Dorset's very own version of Ayers Rock, adopting a myriad of characteristics from blue black and looming through  to golden and purple, depending on the weather and time of day.

Getting to the top is not the struggle you might imagine if you take the route shown. The six mile walk begins at the National Trust car park in Langdon Wood and is clearly signposted. The seagull's eye views are exhilarating and could make you wish for a pair of wings. 

Top of Golden Cap looking east towards Seatown

Painting Dorset- J.W.T. Turner

A break in this week's biblical deluges found me wandering along the beach at Charmouth. Later, as I looked at the photos I'd taken, a bell rang... yes!...One of my photos had been taken from a very similar spot to that from which my old mate Turner had painted his distant view of Lyme Regis way back in 1811.

Turner made many painting tours throughout Britain and the continent. In fact he travelled almost every year and in 1811 toured the southwest producing a series of paintings which in turn were reproduced as a book of engravings entitled 'Picturesque Views of the Southern Coast of England.' Many of those Dorset landmarks; Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove, Poole Harbour and Weymouth are still recognisable today.

Not a perfect match...Turner said sorry, he'd have another go.