Peter trip 2014: Sleet, hail and rain, but the Greens must get through.

So it was Sunday, and we needed to get moving early so as to avoid the worst of Sunday Driving. Unfortunately, if you try to beat them, you have already joined them, though we didn't hit nearly as much traffic as we might have. However, the threatening weather of Saturday delivered all its promises today.

This is the cottage where we stayed

Across the road from the group of cottages was the Mere Police Station.

There was nothing special or additional about it. It is a Mere Police Station and nothing else.

And this is the view back along the way we had come.

By this point it had become obvious that my DSLT camera was no longer workable. Even with the power turned off, it kept trying to find correct focus, which was draining the battery. In addition, the automatic aperture/shutter speed was erratic, and I could only use it on full manual settings. I decided to remove the battery and put it away. From here until I obtained another camera, the photos were taken on my mobile phone.

The next stop on the way was the small town of Blandford Forum. Here we stopped for a while and investigated the local park.

The Gurkha (Nepalese) restaurant

The local hotel sells Devon Piddle Beer.

I don't suppose it would be particularly pleasant to drink, though I admit I didn't try.

Into the park and (below) Down by the Riverside.

Kids love water

Bridge over untroubled waters. I reckon they'd be cold, though!

And the weir...

A useful bridge for people who want to use a bridge, but don't actually want to go anywhere.

Soon after leaving Blandford Forum, the weather became much colder and wetter, and we kept driving into rain with occasional hail and even patches of sleet.

Our next stop was Christchurch, much closer to the coast, and home to some ancient buildings including the old mill, below. It was still cold and wet, but the sleet had ended and hail was less frequent.