Our trip to Dorset was just a short break. It could have been 3 nights in Paris or Barcelona but we decided to remain in our green and pleasant land. On reflection it would have been cheaper to go to Paris or Barcelona but they will save for next time. I have always wanted to see the swans at Abbotsbury Swannery so my pin found Abbotsbury on the map when we were deciding where to stay. One of just a few hostelries in Abbotsbury is The Ilchester Arms, a licensed premises since 1786 and former coaching house, now grade 2 listed. We reserved a room and arrived last Monday at exactly the time predicted by SatNav Sally.
Our room, with the white door, was in the converted stable block and after unpacking we found our way to the terrace for a pimms; well it was Wimbledon.
The Inn has 8 letting rooms and very extensive bar accommodation inside, and beer garden outside. Very friendly and efficient staff made our stay comfortable. All are welcome, Kids, Dogs and Wellies
The last census recorded a village population of 481 and although small, its main road was narrow and busy with through traffic but I can't imagine where they were going because it was a bit 'back of beyond'. No I didn't remove the aerials H just to prove that they DO have electricity.
The Swannery was just half a mile away and the Sub Tropical Gardens a mile in the opposite direction so that was our plan for Tuesday.
I should add that I do have some mobility problems so we will not be climbing any cliffs or hills just to get a vantage point for pictures. I DO however use my blue badge whenever it will help to reduce walking distances. The first occasion was on arrival at The Swannery when we learned that there was a quarter mile walk to the feeding point. Fortunately we were able to drive down to a small blue badge car park. Feeding time was 12 noon (and 4pm) so we timed our arrival well ahead. There are around 700 swans there, but at the end of July they will round up ALL of them for an accurate count of adults and cygnets. At that time the pens have a kind of moult and cannot fly.
As feeding time approaches the swans gather before the keepers arrive. That is the cue for the Canada geese to swim across in formation to get a share, much to the annoyance of some of the cobs.
Feeding Time
A couple of pics away from the main flock.
I remember Horus mentioned that when he was at Stonehenge a local gave him a tip to get closer to the stones. We met a man at the Swannery collecting for Lifeboats and, apart from the fact that he used to be a brewer at Shepherd Neame brewery just a few miles from us, he gave us a tip of where to drive to get some good views of Chesil Beach and the Swannery. Can't beat local knowledge.
Typical Dorset countryside, and the Swannery from a high vantage point with Chesil Beach beyond.
In early afternoon we made our way, the couple of miles to the Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens. The gardens cover 30 acres and as their name implies, contain a very wide variety of trees and plants from warmer climes that thrive at this south coast location. The gardens are really lovely and in some respects reminiscent of Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech. In particular the bamboo which we also found in abundance at the Swannery.
The gardens celebrate 250 years since their foundation in 1765.
The verandah of the tea room is very colonial with hints of 'The Raj'
Another little bit of local knowledge, mainly from Mrs G's sharp eye for a small sign, led us when we left the gardens down a small road to a car park right at the base of Chesil Beach. A board walk lead up to the top of the beach to reveal a fairly wild sea so much in contrast to the placid West Fleet lagoons that the swans occupy on the landward side of the raised beach.
On top of Chesil Beach, and a wild sea compared to the placid lagoons where the swans live, the other side of the beach.
Not far back to the hotel where we had dinner that evening and all three evenings of our stay.
we of course had to miss out the Swannery because of little Annie, but she loved the Sub Tropical Gardens especially the ponds with the big carp in them, I have some pictures of her trying to catch a greedy duck that arrived whenever food was on offer, I will post mine after you have completed your second report. Those waves on Chesil Beach are a lot higher than when we were there, in fact by comparrison it was quite calm. 
They are actually a royal bird and belong to the queen.
