Downshay Farm CL, Harman's Cross, Swanage

Corfe Castle above Carol & John's carava

   We'd booked into a CL at Harman's Cross near Swanage so it was within walking distance to the railway station and ideal for a trip into Corfe Castle & Swanage.  The site was very wet but given the weather that we'd had, it's not surprising.

   On Saturday, we'd already decided to have a look around Corfe Castle and Swanage and use the train to do it.  It was a really weird feeling waiting for a train - I haven't done it for ............  years   Mind you, it's expensive so that could be why.

Picture perfect or jigsaw material?

   The last time that Mike was at Corfe Castle was when he was on leave from the Navy and he was helping his uncle Eddie deliver Christmas hampers ... and Mike still remembers the feeling of climbing out of his sleeping bag and his bare back pressing against the ice-cold roof on the van as he was getting dressed. (a few swear words, I think)



 


 At the Corfe Castle station, there was a bit of a museum so we had quick look around it before catching the train back towards Swanage.

   Mike took this photo as it really reminded him of when he worked with as a volunteer with the Worth Valley Railway whilst he was at school.  It was the smell of steam, oil and hot metal.  (yes, you can smell hot metal, he says)







   After a long walk around town, it was time for a well earned cuppa on the sea front but boy was it cold !!!

Puddletown Recreation Ground CL

   This CL has very good access but is adjacent to a dog walking lane and is smelly at times.  There's quite a bit of noise from the traffic on the concrete surface of A35.  So isn't as peaceful as we'd like.

   On the Saturday, we went for a walk along Chesil beach but found it hard to walk, so detoured around hills.  Also stopped off at Swannery café for a coffee.

Points to note:

• Athelhampton House closed Fri & Sat!!
• Tolpuddle Martyr museum interesting.
• Blue Vinney pub in Puddletown  – good very attentive staff and good food & beer. Will go again !!!
• Blue Pool very quiet lovely  £5 to get in.

Tudor Arms, Slimbridge

 It's the first time that we've been up with the caravan around this part of the country and we've got nice weather so we're bound to have a good weekend.  Carol &  John are with us too.

  The Tudor Arms is next to the  Gloucester to Sharpnesss canal so occasionally we see the heads of people going by above the tops of hedgelines.  Really weird

   On the Saturday morning, we were passing through Dursley and happened to see that there was fair on in the afternoon.  Anyway, we carried on to Tetbury and had a look around the shops.  It was obviously a well-to-do place to live as there were loads of interesting shops but way out of our price range.  Even the charity shops were dear.

Would you like a flake in it, chuck?

  We stopped off for a tea in a tea shop and Carol saw a giant ice cream display outside a shop so had to pose for a photo :)

   We then drove back to Dursley and caught up with the fair which was really good.  It was how fairs should be, full of local stuff (apart from us) and everyone having a good time.  Of course, the men found the beer tent which was full of local brewed ale.






   Sunday morning, we walked along the tow path to do a bit of exploring and ended up going into the local village, getting the Sunday paper and loads of plants to put in the garden