Saturday 21st March 2009

We left the Kings Hotel and went across the road to have a browse in and around Christchurch Priory. An 11th century building, very interesting inside and out - www.christchurchpriory.org .
I worked near here for 3 years and I always looked for the salmon weathervane as I drove under the railway bridge into the town. I have always wanted to go up on top of the tower but it always seemed to be closed due to bad weather or lack of guides when I went into the Priory. Click on the following photos for more detail (that's a clue!)

And here we are at last! 176 very narrow and steep steps up (more like climbing a ladder at times). Thankfully no passing on these spiral stairs. And on such a beautiful day.
The legend is that a watch was kept for Excise boats from St Michael's Loft in the Priory and then the salmon was turned to warn the smugglers. It seemed to always point west when I worked nearby - not that that was in the same era! The Excise boats had to lurk outside the harbour as it was allowed to silt up to prevent them entering - which just shows that rather prominent people were involved in the trade!
Oh yes, this was the home of smuggling with trails leading out of town across the New Forest and into Cranborne Chase. I always took the stories with a pinch of salt until I worked in the museum neaby and saw the documentary evidence!

The Castle ruins, sand coloured Kings Hotel, Gary Rhodes restaurant just visible as the single storey dining room to the right of the Hotel, part of the mews development to the right of that, the Norman Constable's House and the bridge over the River Avon (our river) heading for its outlet in Christchurch Harbour.
Behind all those is the A35 with its Saturday traffic and off that, our route home under the red brick railway bridge.

Christchurch, the Castle ruins and St Catherine's Hill in the background.
Our house is somewhat north of that!

And moving to the other side of the tower, Hengistbury Head in the background with the Rivers Meet of the Avon and the Stour into Christchurch Harbour.