Prospect Cottage, Dungeness

Our second day in Dungeness  - such a unique place, bleak and beautiful. Dry today but VERY windy. It made for a challenging photography day - I had to wait for a lull in the winds to take a shot and at times it was difficult to stand still!
 
Many of the houses in Dungeness were created over 100 years ago from old railway carriages, others such as Prospect Cottage are wooden huts. There are no boundaries here – no fences, hedges or walls.
 
The  best known black house (and my blip) is Prospect Cottage, the fisherman’s cottage of the late film director Derek Jarman. He bought Prospect Cottage in the mid 1980s and lived here until his death in 1994.  Covered in tarred weatherboard and corrugated iron with bright yellow windows and doors. Raised wooden text on the side of the cottage recites John Donne’s poem, The Sun Rising.
 
Many visitors come to see the garden. The shingle beach is continued into the garden. Created from driftwood sculptures, bits of metal and rope and large pebbles that were washed up on the shore. Planted with wild flowers and shrubs that can withstand the harsh conditions here – like the yellow gorse pictured here.
 
Derek Jarman used Dungeness as the setting for his film The Last of England.  The  shingle garden at Prospect Cottage featured in his 1989 film War Requiem.
 
Dungeness is recognized as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), a Special Protection Area (SPA), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and part of the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) of Dungenesss, Romney Marsh and Tye Bay.   With a neighbouring power station, lighthouses, steam railway and a RSPB reserve near by, Dungesss is a fascinating place to visit.

Further shots from the weekend can be seen here.
 
Had a lovely weekend – great location and great company. Thanks everyone :)