O is for Overheard at Old Harry Rocks #AtoZChallenge

O has brought us back to Dorset: to the most easterly point of the Jurassic Coast of England, a UNESCO world heritage site.

My A to Z journey this year started with a few photos of  Alum Chine on this coast and today, more than half way through this challenge, I'm back with a stack of photos of a stunning place called Old Harry Rocks.

Are you curious to check it out for yourself? What are you waiting for? Put some sun cream on and let's go. Don't be fooled by the clouds, the sun gets very bright very quickly here.

I was curious about the name: Old Harry Rocks.

To tell you the truth, I picture old Harry rocking and rolling somewhere in the vicinity. I prefer my version of an old man named Harry who truly rocked the area, but if you're pedantic about this sort of thing, then this is what I found out while digging on-line: Jade and Dan's website offers the best write-up on The Legend of Old Harry Here's an extract from their site:

"One legend claims that the stack of Old Harry is so named because the Devil, for whom Old Harry is an age-old nickname, had a sleep on the famed rocks. Echoing this devilish tone, there is an old saying that speaks of someone 'playing Old Harry,' which would rather brutally mean 'to ruin or destroy.' The rocks were supposedly named as they are to give warning to ships to keep their distance from the treacherous cliffs. 

The other of the two tales is centered around one infamous individual. Harry Paye was a pirate who called the Poole area his home, making it a place of terror and trouble as he spent his days attacking the merchant ships that sailed in and out of Poole Harbour. It is said that the iconic stack and arches that provide us with adventures a-plenty were named after this very Harry as the caves became a hiding place for his loot. "

I didn't know it then but the short video I took of this thistle, dancing on the coast. 
captured snippets of  a conversation.
But ever since I've heard it, I've been imagining who the voices belong to:
young? old? family? friends? 
Who were these people?
What was the day like for them?
My back was turned to them. They must've walked on while I was busy with our dancing thistle.

I wonder what all the flora and the fauna of such oft-trodden paths must witness and overhear almost everyday.

Have you ever heard a conversation by chance and wondered about it later?

Perfect locations such as these beckon you to sit and stare and stare a little more...

Enjoy a peace filled day. 

G is for Golden Cap: A coastal walk with stunning views #AtoZChallenge

Yesterday, I'd sneaked in (as Yamini pointed out) a sixth favourite thing of mine in my list of five. I didn't realise I'd done it but when I read her comment, I noticed how my first love had sneaked into the list (despite not starting with F)!

Yes, yes, I confess. Going for long walks is the thing I love the most. I want to use the word mostest, just to emphasize how much I love walks. Ideally, I like to go alone. Sometimes, I let my camera or my phone give me company. The husband can join if he wishes to, but there's no expectation to keep pace or talk. We may share paths, but we walk in our universes, joined and individual, half of a whole, happy in our spaces and paces, gaits mis-matched but heading to the same home afterwards.

Children, in-laws, friends, strangers, sister, nieces and nephews have shared walks with talks which I cherish very much. And when I go back to those spots: parks, beaches, seasons, winds, blossoms, fragrances, snippets of those moments drift into my conscience like birdsong: always sweet and melodious, no matter how often one hears it.

So, brace yourself for a walk along the Jurassic Coast of Britain, today. We are going to climb Golden Cap, take a few photos, nibble on some sandwiches in the tall grass, drink bottled water and soak in the scenery. Hold on to your hats and scarves--it's a tad windy today.

Are you ready? 

But where is Golden Cap exactly? you ask.

"It's a hill and cliff situated on the English Channel coast between Bridport and Charmouth in Dorset, England. The cliffs are the highest point on the south coast of Great Britain. The name derives from distinctive outcropping of golden greensand rock present at the very top of the cliff."

says Wikipedia

 To kip in the sun after a long walk, with tummies full and no plans to go to after:

is this not heaven on Earth?

I clicked our friends, the Banerjees and AJ (whose better half I am) while they rested.

I tottered around solo for a bit before we had to head home.

Hope you find your heavens today and feel at home in whatever you do.

Hope to see you with H.

Have a wonderful weekend.

xx