Soggy

Following our soaking at Lulworth Cove, we sat in the car for a while, dripping and debating what to do next. The car park ticket was good for both the Cove and Durdle Door, so we abandoned the idea of walking between the two and opted for the less energetic, but considerably drier choice of driving there. By the time we arrived at Durdle Door, the rain had just about stopped so we hauled our soggy selves down the path to take in another geological wonder. Before we got to see the famous arch, we looked down on Man O'War Beach.

The coastline is made up of various strata of hard and soft limestone bands, shifted into a near vertical orientation by geological forces. It is the harder of these rocks which form the arch of Durdle Door itself and remnants of it can also be seen running in a line either side if it.

The name 'Durdle' comes from the old English word 'thirl', meaning a drill or bore. Easy to see why when you see the arch itself. Off in the distance, the isle of Portland could just be seen on the horizon.

Some brave souls were on the beach doing, what looked like some sort of school field trip. Time for another panorama...

The sea was like a mill pond, despite the weather and we had some lovely views along the coast and the chalk cliffs, taking in the small promontory of Bat's Head. Soon enough, it rained again so we had to head back to the car, soggy, but happy to have seen the area at last.

It had been our intention, to pay a surprise call on Mary and Brian, in Portsmouth later in the day. But we were both so wet, mud-spattered and cold by this time, that we were in no fit state for visiting anyone and decided to postpone that pleasure until next time.
Next, we moved on to Rye in East Sussex. more of that tomorrow.