Hardy's Monument

It was a grim morning, damp and foggy.  Undeterred I went for a run and so did TT.  Mine was at low level, while TT ascended the hills into the really thick fog.  It was one of those days where we didn’t really know what to do, but as we were on holiday we packed a picnic and decided to go to Portland Castle.  The weather was gloomy all the way there, and when we got there it felt a little chilly (though probably still warmer than Scotland) so we just had our picnic in the car.

Portland Castle is one of Henry VIII’s finest coastal forts.  It was built in the early 1540s to protect against French and Spanish invasion.  It is not a big place, and there is not much to it, but it was a really interesting place to look around and learn about its history from the 16th century to the present day.  The gun terrace now looks out on two concrete Pheonix Cassions dating from the D-Day preparations of 1944.

Finally we looked around the contemporary garden.  If only the sun had been out, it would have been the perfect place for our picnic.

Given visibility was pretty poor we headed back, commenting on how cold everyone looked on Chessil Beach.

TT decided we would visit Hardy’s Monument (Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy of “kiss me Hardy” fame) on the way home  – not for the views!  We had real trouble finding it in the fog.  We came across it by chance, and could barely see it through the gloom.  Unfortunately it was closed, but we stopped for a short time and had a quick look at it, before heading home via the supermarket.  I am sure the views from the monument are magnificent!

Later TT and I watched the final two episodes of Broadchurch.

Her is the monument in the fog, it was built to resemble a spyglass.  The extra is of Portland Castle with a concrete monstrosity in the background.