Wareham

Today we decided was a good day for a trip to the beach, so we headed out with our picnic to Studland Bay. By the time we got there the heavens had opened and it was pissing down! Still, we got the dogs out and took them on the beach, it’s a lovely long sandy beach with views of Old Harry rocks and the ships coming and going to Poole Harbour. As we were getting steadily soaked we didn’t stay long and headed back to the car.
We passed Corfe Castle on the way and thought it might be a good idea to stop and have a look on the way back. Parked in the car park and walked round to the entrance, we were already getting wet, as a National Trust property, we could get in free so we decided to go in and look around. We were glad we did, as despite ending up sodden from top to bottom the castle was fascinating, with lots of info boards and some very dramatic scenery. Once we got back to Tonks we vowed to head back to the warm, dry van and stay there. Which we did.

A nicer day today, Phil went on his bike for a ride into Wareham forest (following his nose) and then an on road ride to Bovington Camp where the tank training division is based. 40k in total and back at the van by 9:30! Then we headed into Poole, where we saw the magnificent yachts being churned out of the Sunseeker factory, lots of boats in the various marinas and lots of pubs along the sea front. On the way we saw the cantilever bridge being lifted to let a boat through, and had a little walk to the ferry port, but nothing was going on (no ferries!). Back at Tonks we decided the day wasn’t done and so headed for Arne, a nature reserve on the opposite side of the estuary to Poole. This was a very peaceful place and we had a lovely walk amongst the woodland deer and birds. The view of Poole and the estuary were fantastic, made all the better for the setting sun, we also discovered a lovely sandy beach which was deserted and looked like it belonged on a tropical island (until Princey started digging it up!)..

Woke up at 6 due to a squeaking Smudge. Phil jumped out of bed to shove her out but was too late and she threw up on Prince’s bed! Squeaking again and Linda’s turn to jump up, got her out in time but she did a disappearing act so we both ended up out in the torrential rain looking for her.. Linda found her by one of the vans opposite throwing up in the hedge!
Today was the day of the Sunseeker Rally in the forest, so we got armed up with soup, chairs and an umbrella and headed into the woods. The rally was thoroughly entertaining with all sorts of cars from modern rally cars to Minis, Micras and Defenders!

After the rally we headed into Wareham for a little wander around. We walked along a bit of the Walls Walk, which runs along the top of the old saxon town wall. We also had a little trot along the lovely riverside walk, very quiet with lots of boats to see!

Next we set off for Studland bay again with the plan of walking to the chain ferry and crossing to Sandbanks. We had a lovely walk as it was nice and dry (unlike the last visit on Thursday and we could see across to the Isle of Wight) , we saw a Brittany ferry leaving Poole harbour just as we got to the end of Studland beach which was perfect timing , then took the ferry over to Sandbanks. This was the biggest chain ferry we have been on yet, 90p each return. Had a walk along the beach at Sandbanks and had our picnic under cover on the promenade as it had started to rain a bit. Then we crossed the road at the narrowest point of Sandbanks and walked back through the perimeter street looking at all the lovely houses. Then back on the ferry to Studland and walked back to Tonks in the NT car park.

Drove to Swanage and leaving the dogs in the car for a rest, we trotted to the train station as we had seen steam on our way past, the train was just about to set off to Corfe castle so we waited for it to go and waved it off, then we popped into the Ship pub for a pint and a half of Piddle – nice pint! Then we ambled towards the pier which was closed unfortunately as it closes at 4 so we headed up past it to get a good view of Old Harry across the bay and then headed back to Tonks

Well today we were up early so we could spend our last day here at Lulworth Love, Chesil beach and Portland. We managed to get out at about 10.15 even though Phil was chatting to Julian, our neighbour in a motorhome who is touring with his wife, Carol, for 2 years!… So off we went to Lulworth Cove first, it was lovely, a horse shoe shaped cove made when the sea breached a gap in the jurrassic cliffs and eroded away the cliffs, we had a walk along the small beach then headed up to a view point and then back through the car park, bought farm made ice creams from the shop then on up a very steep wide path to Durdle Door, which we realised we didn’t have time on the parking ticket to walk there and back to so we just took a photo….of the wrong bit! Durdle Door is the rock that looks like an elephants trunk going into the sea and we took a photo of its backside!

Then we set off to Portland and Chesil beach. we walked up the pebble bank to have our picnic over looking the sea. The info boards told us it was formed 6000 years a go and is 17 miles long, 14 metres high at the east end and 7 metre high at the west end, it is amazing to look at. Then we drove onto Portland, stopping at Portland Castle as it was English Heritage but it was closed for winter, so on up the hill to the view point by the Heights hotel, the parking was free here and the view over Chesil beach and Weymouth was great as it was quite high up, quick photo opportunity then back in the car and over to Portland Bill, the lighthouse on the south of the Island, there were loads of beach huts by it but not a lot else, so we had a little walk round then headed back to the van where we found and booked our next site by Lymintgon which looks lovely, off there tomorrow..