I started my walk on the furthest point East along the South West Coast path that enters the Country Park. This meant I was greeted by a beautiful stone tablet noting the direction of Durlston Head and Castle, The Large Globe, Tilly Whim Caves and The Lighthouse. From here I was looking down on Pine Cliff walk where the huge Corsican Pine and Scots Pine stand tall above the Holm Oak canopy. The sea is dark green slowly moving west as the wind ripples across the top. The horizon is a dark navy strip then turning into the dark blue/grey clouds rolling in from the east. Above me blue sky and fluffy white/pink clouds as the sun shone over the rolling dark clouds.
As I walked down into the woods I got the first glimpse of Durlston Castle, being the east turret and the Belvedere. Descending further I reached the Monterey Cypress one of the biggest trees on the park. From here the thick Holm Oak covering slowed down the wind and provided a peaceful calm and the sound of a distant rumble of the sea as it reached Durlston Bay.
A rustle came from beside me and a Blackbird appeared from within the ground cover, soon after a Wren followed suit. A Song Thrush sang from behind me as I watched out to sea, seeing the Isle of Wight come into view, a group of Herring Gulls flew around Durlston Bay and a couple of Gannets were gliding over the water far out to sea.
The woodland on a whole felt unusually quiet today, but a little break in the wind uncovered the beautiful morning sound of small birds and the sight of a Jay. I stopped suddenly as I caught sight of a Roe Deer on the path in front of me, it would of made a beautiful photo but I was too slow to grab my camera before it bounded off into the undergrowth.
As I reached Caravan Terrace the most wonderful view opened up to me; the trickling water that runs down the limestone face exposed to the east was frozen solid creating stalactites of ice-covered limestone and Bramble. It was quite incredible, I will post some photos on facebook if anyone wants to see the photos, (I took a lot!)
At the Great Globe a Peregrine Falcon was flying over the Castle, 3 Robins were flying in and out of the scrub, probably marking their territory. Two Kittiwakes flew parallel to the cliffs, such graceful sea birds. A Shag sat on the water was showing beautifully its yellow patch at the base of its bill and crest on its forehead.