DORSET HERE WE COME–28-3-2012

Our good friends Lynne & Barry are renting an apartment in Sandbanks for the winter before returning to Spain.

The weather forecast was brilliant; I was over the latest virus so ……………. off we jolly well went to Dorset for a few days.

We made good time, traffic was light on the A35 and then – Mrs Tom Tom got her knickers in a twist. When we had done as directed and turned right three times we just knew we were on the wrong road. Sure enough we passed the same pub three times.

Eventually she got it right and we started heading down towards the sea but …………….. we ended up in Poole city centre! O No! So much for modern technology – where’s the map I shouted.

Retracing our steps we had previously ignored a ”No Entry” exit off the roundabout so this time we counted it in – One, Two, take the third exit . Hurray, back on track and heading  across  the narrow spit between the sea and the lake.

After a light lunch we all crossed the road with bus passes in hand and climbed on the open decker bus to Swanage.

 

Here we are waiting for the Ferry.

This reminded me of the Florida Keys

A very nice hotel

From the top of the bus we had lovely views especially of some very nice properties which you would not see from a car.

Swanage centre.

When we pulled into the bus station there was an enormous queue waiting to get on. Bearing in mind there is only one bus an hour we thought we would stay on it rather than get off and then have to queue for the next one which would probably be much bigger. We asked the deriver if we could stay on as Lynne was feeling ill but he was having none of it. You HAVE o get off – no exceptions. Guess he’s heard it all before!

I’m glad we did get off as we discovered a charming Railway Station with Steam & Diesel Trains.

Looking through the Waiting Room we could see that the queue had not moved. “Lets join it “ says Barry. “We might be lucky and get on”…………………….

Slowly, very slowly we moved forward but it looked hopeless. We got within a few paces of the door but by now we could see people standing in the isle. Never mind, we will sit on a seat and have a cup of tea whilst we wait fro the next one I was thinking when Mike pushed me forward and there we all were – on the bus and with enough room to breathe. Reminded me of the Underground without the sweaty arm pits.

But wait, that was not all – at the second Stop two ladies got off right beside us so Barry & I took our seats. Lynne & Mike were also lucky at the next Stop and we rode home in style.

After a lovely meal and catching up we all headed for bed about Ten. We Are getting old ?

Next day we went out for the day travelling around – hugging the coast as we headed north

Passing Barton on Sea and Milford on Sea – pretty old fashioned seaside resorts.

We found ourselves on Hurst Spit – a long built up causeway leading to Hurst Castle.

The isle of White in the distance

Then on to Lymington and lunch down by the harbour surrounded by the noisiest gulls we have ever heard. Smaller than to herring gull I think they were  black headed gulls.

Then on towards Bucklers Hard we stopped off for a refreshing drink in the sunshine at this rather smart pub.

Arriving at Bucklers Hard we were upset to find there was a charge to go down to the river of £7 each! Having been there many years before we decided to give it a miss. Charging to see our natural heritage is something which makes me very cross.

It is very picturesque and is used in many period films and TV shows.

We encountered several donkeys grazing on the sides of the lanes and wondered where they had come from.

It all became clear r when we drove into the beautiful village of Beaulieu – donkeys roaming free everywhere.

Water water everywhere -

Some interesting shops in the village

And finally a few vintage cars which the boys drooled over -

Then home to bed.