Photo Challenge – TRAVEL WORDS

Sculpture by the Lakes

Simon and Monique Gudgeon are the creators of Sculpture by the Lakes, with over 100 sculptures in this 26 acre sculpture park many of them around the level meandering paths around the North Lake and Rainbow Lake. It makes for a lovely leisurely stroll through native trees and planting. There are several waterside venues available for private hire and an excellent Pantry offering self-service fresh, seasonal food with plenty of seating outdoors and around the park where to relax and unwind.

Showcasing the work of sculptor Simon Gudgeon and more than twenty other sculptors among the garden designed by Monique.

As Jo loves to be beside water I am sure she’d love this walk:

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This is a Charles Elliott ‘Verdigris and Gold Sail Sphere’ Handmade Metal Garden Lighting Sphere Sculpture

“Search for Enlightenment” by artist Simon Gudgeon.

‘Leaf Spirit’ by Simon Gudgeon (close-up)

‘Allium’ by artist David Cutler. (close-up)

‘Sphere’ by Simon Gudgeon “Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” Henry Van Dyke

‘Isis’ by Simon Gudgeon. The sculpture is inspired by the Egyptian Ibis bird, a wading bird characterized by a long, down-curving bill.

“Family Group” sculpture by artist Beatrice Hoffman

Set in 26 acres alongside Dorset’s River Frome, with lakes, streams, meandering paths and plenty of places to sit it’s somewhere you can leave your busy life behind and enjoy peace and tranquillity in a beautiful and serene environment.

Jo’s Monday Walk

A River Walk

I do like to be close to water and if it can’t be the sea then a river will do as long as there is a walk alongside it. When I lived in Ludlow, Shropshire, I often walked along the River Teme doing a loop between the Dinham bridge near the castle and Ludford bridge. It was a pretty walk taking in the Whitcliffe common and the native woodland.

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So when I chose Dorchester for my recent holiday I was pleased to find that there is a river walk which takes you out to the water meadows. And further afield if you want.

Where the river divides. Left into town, right towards the water meadows and blue bridge.

The river divides into several streams in this area. This is the Mill Stream which powered Friary Mill.

One Swan a swimming (there were actually two)

The Blue Bridge – leads out to the water meadows

Water meadows. The system of water channels, weirs and hatches to regulate the flow of water was developed by Dutch engineers in the 17th century. A small amount of water meant that the grass continued to grow even through the winter. They are no longer maintained but in the late spring this is smothered in buttercups.

A green tunnel – lovely shade on a hot day

Iris pseudacorus, the yellow flag, yellow iris, or water flag

Wild flowers including comfrey and lady’s smock / cuckoo flower along a nature reserve boardwalk, a weir, the blue bridge and signs that the Romans were here. They built a town here in AD 43 (Durnovaria) and there are several Roman reminders around the town.

Whitebeam. There are lots of native trees growing alongside the river and lots of birds too. Whilst sitting in the riverside reserve I heard many different species: sparrows, song thrush, robin, blue tit, chiffchaff, great tit, blackbird, wren and goldfinch among others. (Thanks to the Merlin app)

It is a lovely flat walk beside the river with several benches on which to sit and enjoy the birdsong and the mallards.

And as I know Jo loves to be beside water this one is for one of her Monday Walks.

Bench Challenge Anniversary

Way back in 2015 – yes that really is ten years ago – I decided to post photos of the numerous benches sitting in my folders. It seemed that I was not alone and suddenly it turned into the Bench Challenge where I set a particular criterion each month and people joined in posting their bench photos. It was a lot of fun and I met a lot of wonderful bloggers through it.

Bude Benches

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Overlooking Summerleaze beach by the canal

Bude Castle and Bude-light

Bude Canal’s bench raising awareness of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS)

Play Area by Crooklets Beach and beach huts

On Summerleaze Downs with seats around the flag pole

Up on Bude canal

This is my last bench post of the year. Once again thanks to all those who have joined me in celebrating the beautiful and not so beautiful benches around the world. Often it’s the location of the bench which is more aesthetically pleasing than the bench itself, but let’s not forget how very useful they are for the weary, the old, the romantic and the opportunity to sit and stare and take in the surroundings, listen to nature, people watch, chat with friends or even strangers or even to eat one’s lunch or read a book / newspaper / magazine / phone. And even make one a memorial to those we love.

To one and all I wish you a very happy 2026

and keep looking out for those benches!

Bench Challenge Anniversary

A lovely **Affinity** swing seat in RHS Rosemoor (from around £5000)

This year I am returning to mark the occasion by posting a bench photo every Sunday. There will not be any particular theme set this year so it’s not really much of a challenge, but if there is anyone out there who still has a bucketful of bench photos and would like to join me, then please do so by adding a link in the comments or a link to my post in yours (a pingback) and I will happily pop along to admire.