down under

...it was a really delightful day, today - very mild, no wind and some autumn sunshine. Lovely!

This morning, we went for a walk in the forest, where I am still trying, and still failing, to get some images of the goldcrests. Last night's torrential rain, which fell on already saturated ground, made it a bit wet underfoot and, when we got to one of the streams that can usually be stepped over, I had to wade though with the cameras and then wade back to lift L over. Good job it wasn't cold.

The afternoon was mostly spent preparing for my daughter who is coming for the weekend, but I did find time to run down to Durlston Castle for today's blip.

John Mowlem, was the Swanage stonemason and builder who founded the quarrying and construction company Mowlem. His business partner was his nephew, George Burt. The pair of them wanted to give something back to their home town and community. I will save John Mowlem's contributions for future blips...

In 1862, George Burt purchased a tract of land including Durlston Head that was quarried to provide limestone for the Mowlem business but, in addition to its commercial value, George developed part of the land as a tourist attraction. On the crest of the hill, he built his folly, Durlston Castle where, in 1887 he erected the Great Globe that he had constructed in Mowlems' Greenwich stone-yard. The Globe is made of Portland stone in 15 segments, with four stones in each of the lower three courses and three in the top course. The finished 'sculpture' was brought from London to Swanage by sea, where it was placed overlooking the sea just south of the castle. The individual pieces are held together using granite dowels and the whole structure weighs 40 tons with a diameter of 10 feet. Its surface is carved to show the continents, oceans and various other world details. It used to be possible to walk up to it and touch it but it is now protected by railings. Rather than use the usual tourist image for my post, I have taken a close up of the area depicting Australia - especially for my blip pals down under - to see the whole globe in its setting I have uploaded another image to my Blipfolio...