Arrakis, also known as Dune

Friday night and one of Jean-Luc's favourite films is on.  Dune, based on Frank Herbert's novel of the same name.  Made in 1984 by David Lynch; this sci-fi epic had a stella cast including Jurgen Prochnow, Max von Sydow, Sian Phillips, Francesca Annis, Patrick Stewart and Freddie Jones, not to mention a young Sting.

The film is an epic Game of Thrones type story set on a desert world.

The next day Jean-Luc and I took advantage of the glorious weather and went to a local National Trust site, where, like two children, we spent three happy hours wandering the woods, beach and sand dunes quoting cheesy lines from the film at each other.

I make no apologies for the following pictures of Wormsign, the Great Erg and other silly things.

 Dune!

The Great Erg depression - we navigated our way round the edge of this dangerous territory.

Wormsign - Usul has not called a big one!

Only the Fremen can walk the deep desert.

And then thankfully we got to the other side of the dunes and saw this....

 

Miles and miles of lovely  beach 

 And the sea - deep breath and sigh.

We pottered along the shore, beach combing and enjoying a brisk exfoliation from the wind and sand and then headed back inshore for a picnic of sandwiches, salad and fruit, all lovingly prepared by Jean-Luc, (sadly devoured before I even thought to take a photo).

Once we were back in the sandy grasslands I got my own geek on and did some plant spotting.  I haven't done any plant surveying for about 15 years but was thrilled to recognise some of these beauties.

Hounds-tongue, a relative of Borage

 Hairy Birdsfoot Trefoil

 Wild Asparagus

Storksbill, a relative of Cranesbill geraniums and Herb Robert.

Little pink stars scattered across the sand.

We moved into the woodlands and saw.....

Alkanet

 White Campion

 Red Campion 

and the gorgeously named Spring Beauty.

Tired, happy and full of fresh air we made for the obligatory ice cream and the knowledge of a day well spent.