Hardy country

A view of the Blackmore Vale on the road to Hilfield Friary.  Thomas Hardy once lived at Sturminster Newton and his Tess of the D'Urbervilles book's opening scene took place at Marnhull, or Marlott as Hardy named it. The Vale was important to him.  Another writer, was the Dorset poet William Barnes, he too lived at Sturminster for a while. The view stretches for miles and miles into the distance. A wonderful sight.

Extra photo: the cyclamen at the Friary.