Abbotsbury Swannery

This morning we decided to go to Abbotsbury Swannery, it is a natural lagoon running along the Chesil beach and is home to hundreds of Mute Swans. They are nesting at the moment and some of them had several eggs which they were proudly caring for. The estimated date for the arrival of the first cygnets was said to be May 16th( my Birthday!)
It was lovely to see them so close but I particularly liked the nests in the reeds.
We were there at feeding time too which was interesting to hear some of the history of the place and watch the kids throwing wheat at hundreds of birds which had gathered in the water ready.
Again it was bitterly cold, we had some soup for lunch to warm up.

We then went for a drive and came across a promising wood for Blue Bells masses of plants but not a flower in sight, so I hope the weather warms up so they flower soon.
We drove along country lanes and enjoyed looking at the local farmland and cottages.
We visited a church at Swire where my Great great Grandparents and ancestors are buried and also saw where they lived and farmed.

We walked around the harbour at West Bay and visited Mum then drove back to Weymouth along the main Askers road and looked down on the villages of Askerswell and Uploders, where as a child i used to live.
Further on towards Maiden Castle we watched a storm coming towards us very dark and threatening! Then it pored!

Tonight we all went out to The Nothe Pub and had a lovely meal.