Last week, specifically on Midsummer's Day, we set off from our holiday accommodation in Bridport to Studland, beyond Weymouth and Portland.
As we approached, the sky clouded over, and I referred to my alternative list of rainy day activities. Indeed, when we first ventured out, it was in kagouls. Later, the day brightened immensely, we spent some of the afternoon lying on the beach, and when we walked out to Old Harry Rocks, I was sweltering in just a t-shirt.
We left Studland at just about 6pm; I had to remind Jimmy that we still had four hours daylight. We made good progress along the road, with Classic FM on the car radio.
The road from Dorchester to Bridport, the A35, runs for some time along what is effectively a ridge, which rises steeply up from the sea and surrounding countryside. The previous evening we had hit a thick patch of fog that extended for several miles and reduced visibility to just a few metres. Roadsigns warned of this, but I didn't expect it in June - I was later told by a local that this is not unusual.
In contrast, on Midsummer's Evening, the sky was clear and we could see for miles. As we rose out of Dorchester, Classic FM started to play the overture to Tannhauser. An amazing piece of music that becomes more frantic and orgiastic as it progresses, and as we progressed. We drove past Bridport and into the village of Chideock, before turning off down a narrow and twisty lane to the hamlet of Seatown, fronting the sea in the shadow of the golden Cap. As we drew up in the car park, Tannhauser overture reached its stunning climax. Epic!
A spectacular view and amazing music. It really doesn't get better than that. Unfortunately, the pub we intended to eat was packed full of people, so we went back and ate elsewhere, which was very good.
