| Our Sponsor |
|---|
|
|
| Main Menu | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Member Login |
|---|
| Portland - an island of mystery and great beauty. |
|
|
|
| Written by Queen Bee | |
| Wednesday, 02 April 2008 | |
|
Pulpit Rock Portland is just one of the many mysterious sights to behold on this little island just off the Coast of Weymouth in Dorset. Though most definitely an island many consider it to be a Peninsula because of the great Chesil Beach which joins Portland to the mainland at Wyke Regis. However the definition of and Island is an area of land surrounded entirely by the sea. Chesil Beach is an 18 mile long stretch of continuously shifting shingle. In places there are natural sinks which allow the tide to replenish the sea water in the Fleet Lagoon between Wyke Regis and Abbotsbury.During Winter Months when the wind is blowing from a westerly direction the sea regularly tops Chesil Beach and floods the Fleet Lagoon. In the early seventies, before the flood defences were installed at Westbay, the village of Chesil regularly flooded. All the old properties made of Portland stone were built side ways on in the lea of Chesil Beach. When floods were imminent the inhabitants of Chesil would open their front and back doors which enabled the sea to rush through the ground floor of the property and straight out again causing minimal damage. Nowadays the flood defences keep many a hide tide and storm water at bay. The water is channelled through Chesil Beach at Chesil and through a massive drain which comes out at Osprey Quay where Tango Juliet the Coast Guard helicopter is kept.Portland is famous for its stone. There have been stone quarries on the Island since the early roman times. Much of London's notable buildings like St. Paul's Cathedral were built of the stone which was shipped round the coast in huge barges and up the river Thames where it was off loaded and sent by waggon and horses to the site the stone was needed. The most desirable stone is called Best Bed Roach Stone. This stone ranges in colour from milky white to cream and hundreds of fossilised sea creatures can be seen in the stone. Many a fireplace and hearth has been made from from this stone because it is hard wearing and very attractive.Portland is also famous for the three lighthouses based at Portland bill. Sadly only one of them remains in use, the other two remain, one as an exclusive holiday cottage and the other as a nature and wild bird centre.There is also a great big stone needle shaped structure at the base of Portland light house, also made of Portland Stone with the initials T H on it. Everyone thinks it is to do with Trinity House (As in Trinity Light house.) but it is in-fact a memorial land mark to Thomas Hardy the great Sailor who sailed with Lord Nelson and who was asked upon his death bed to kiss him!Not to be confused with Thomas Hardy the Author famed for books such as the Mayor of Casterbridge and Tess of the Durbervilles.Portland was famed in the Roman times for its export of wool and sea salt. You used to be able to go to West Wears, near Bow and Arrow Castle and look over the cliff edge to the rocky waters edge and sea round saucer shaped dishes in built into the ground near the sea. These saucers were built by the Romans and lined with Portland Stone bricks. During High tide the sea would come in and fill the saucers with sea water which was then evaporated by the sun, leaving deposits of sea salt crystals which were then scraped up and exported throughout the UK and Europe.If ever you are in Weymouth and at a loss for something to do, go to Portland, take yourself off the main road and explore the island. Behind the subterranean prison is a quarry with a large stack of stone which looks towards Lulworth Cove and Poole. This stack of stone was left to rise mightily above the quarry bottom as a marker to show where the original ground level was before the quarry was established. The stone was named after one of the oldest Quarrymen on the Island who worked at this and many other quarries throughout his life time. Sadly today the name has lost its meaning and instead of reminding people of the hard life of Portland's quarrymen, now raises a titter. "Nicodemus's Knob".
|
|
| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 April 2008 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
|
Copyright © 2008 Design to Eclipse