DAY SEVEN

A potter about and a visit to Arne was had. The stunning weather continued as the first part of the stroll was through dappled woodland lanes where we enjoyed the company of another family whom we showed a wonderful Bloodvein moth. The father asked us had we ever tried catching Wood Ants in a jar and shaking them. Apparently the smell was a trifle harsh. So we had a go and by jove talk about reeking - I didn't know an ant could fart so bad.

During the walk we encountered a few fungal specimens which was a sure sign that we were well into summer and autumn was just around the corner. Time flies as they say! A young Chicken of the Woods was wonderfully lemony and numerous Earthballs were appearing as if by magic. After parting from the aforementioned family we came across an open area that gave close ups of Keeled Skimmer and Common Blues. A walk to the nearby beach was well timed with a relaxing paddle just the thing to relieve those already over-heated feet. A distant Little Egret seemed to be pondering the same idea but instead flew off with his golden tootsies trailing.

The walk to the bird hide was the high point today with a couple of small ponds being an odanatists dream. 4-Spotted Chaser, a couple of Small Red Damselflies, numerous Emerald Damselflies, a patrolling Emporer, a stunning male Black Darter, a couple of Beautiful Demoiselles and a Southern Hawker all gloriously filled the vicinity and displayed their diagnostic features to a tee. Common Darter and Migrant Hawker were added throughout the day and made quite an impressive list. Whilst watching these aerial wonders a Spotted Flycatcher and Green Woodpecker were briefly seen and a Common Lizard sneakily climbed up onto the surrounding fence for a quick bask. The highlight however was the discovery of the bloody impressive Raft Spider (ooh missus what a monster). There's something sinister about a spider walking on water and when its as big as this chap(ess) it really does unsettle you. The poor Sticklebacks that swim below must have many a nightmare over this obvious predator.

The stroll back to the car was lazy and long with an ice cream finish and a brief glimpse of a Silver Washed Fritillary. A great walk this and no matter what you see there is always an abundance of stuff yet uncovered - or so it seems.

The day ended with a successful fossil hunt at Kimmeridge Bay, some football and baseball and my missus and little un' doing some pretty impressive cart-wheels. With a headful of Dragonflies I slept well that night despite being bunged up - still.

DAY EIGHT

Weymouth today - hot, crowded and expensive. We were tired, grumpy and prone to bickering which carried over into a visit to the extortionate Sea Life Centre. The best things in life are free......etc. Sounds good to me!

Back to the lighthouse to calm down and some relaxing sea-watching with 12 Manx Shearwaters the highlight.

DAY NINE

After yesterdays wasteful nonsense none of us really enjoyed it was back on track doing what we do best - pottering and tooting!

Fishing started the day and still 'NO WRASSE FOR THE WICKED' (my wifes pun not mine) but we are improving?

Sorted and out to Martin Down in pursuit of Silver Spotted Skipper a species we missed last year at the same place. Again we missed it as the weather was cloudy and breezy and promised little. Thoughts of yesterday hanging around Weymouth in soaring temperatures really irritated me but hey ho make the best of it - and we did. Dark Green Fritillary, Adonis Blue, Brown Argus, Clouded Yellows and Grass Emerald were the lepidopteran highs and yet another Wasp Spider was seen as well as some nice botanical specimens such as Squinancywort and Small Scabious.

The day ended with another fishing attempt during which I got a bite but the tinker got away. Even though I took heart in the fact that like a good director I can now cast (awful ain't it).

DAY TEN

So as to give my 2 chums a rest I got up on me todd and arranged with them to pick me up at nearby Cheyne Weares in 2 and a half hours whereupon we could start the day. I planned to fill this interim time with a botanical search along Portland's east side. The walk was slow and careful and uncovered 45 flowering plants and a few expected butterflies. The highlights were Bristly Ox-Tongue, Portland Sea Lavender, Ploughmans Spikenard, Vipers Bugloss, Wild Clary and Ivy Broomrape. Just as the heavens opened I arrived at the arranged destination were I was gratefully picked up with nuts and Sausage Rolls for re-fuelling..

All to Dorchester (much quainter than Weymouth) for a spend and nosey then to Chesil Beach via Preston Wildlife Garden. The Dorset Wildlife Trust advertises this garden in its handbook so being curious we thought we'd have a look. 30 seconds later and it was done with the location filed in our notebooks under C for crap. A shuftie around the garden centre where we purchased a mushroom basket (well thats what we are using it for) and it was to Chesil Beach.

Mooching under rocks and some casual birding resulted in Snakelocks Anemone, Blennies, various mollusca as well as Dunlin, Ringed Plover, approachable Turnstones and my first Yellow Legged Gull. Sea Holly and Soapwort provided botanical interest.

A chat with two new birders was enjoyable and their enthusiasm and virginal enjoyment of the ornithological world was excellent to hear.

Back to lighthouse were we met 2 simply delightfully madcap ladies (Leonie and Penelope) enthusing about their week ahead at the lighthouse and what photographic highs they were seeking. Lovely people and I mean madcap in the nicest way. Totally infectious in their approach and their phrases of 'we only want to photograph girly moths and pretty things' was memorable. The dedication was admirable and they obviously knew their stuff - hence the photo below which was a classic example of the skill in the field. Good stuff and cheers to Leonie for the pic.

DAY ELEVEN

A lie in and a walk down the full eastern side of Portland was endured and enjoyed. 6 and a half hours of pottering brought loads of memorable moments. 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoths within inches were great as was the Squat Lobster and Shore Clingfish at East Weares. Numerous flowers, butterflies and scenic views and the rest at the derelict church brought some lichen wonders of which Verrucia baldensis and Aspicilia calcarea were the pick.

A few chats along the way with some knowledgeable old stagers were gems and a pair of peregrines screeched their approval of the latter conversation.

The night was idle and with slightly aching legs a good laze around the Obs was had before a well earned retirement.

DAY TWELVE

Mothing pretty poor due to coldish nights so the day was spent locally and ended with my little un' teaming up with a young butterfly nut by the name of Tiernan (see the hammer classic 'The Blood Beast Terror' and watch the guy with the net). A great time they had and we sat and chatted to mum and dad about this, that and the other. Nice.

DAY THIRTEEN

Up, goodbyes and a Melodious Warbler in-the-hand to finish and we headed home. Anyone with an interest in wildlife and considering Dorset for a holiday should consider no longer and get down to the Isle of Portland soon. Lovely stuff with loads of lovely people. Thank you must go to Martin Cade for his patient assistance and advice and also a bloke named Colin for his useful tips concerning fishing - the one about the hook at one end and T**T at the other will remain with me as a reminder to listen to any tips! Ta.