Saturday 1st – Saturday 8th August
Saturday 1st August
After a hurried farewell to Em & Teddy at Hillhead Farm site, I set off for the Caravan & Motorhome Club site Crossways at Moreton, near Dorchester – https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-sites/england/southern-england/dorset/crossways-caravan-club-site/
It really is an extremely pretty drive once you get on the A35 and especially the section north of Lyme Regis, past Bridport.
The site was pretty full and the only reasonable pitch I could find was on a large hard-standing area. The position would mean my motorhome would block the sun from the next-door-neighbours’ pitch; they were outside their motorhome relaxing in the sun. Hmmmm …….. I stepped out to ask if they minded and they were really nice and friendly. I am only staying here one night as I just couldn’t get the Saturday night at Haycraft site near Swanage.
Crossways is an unusual site as it has ‘composting toilets’ – they look normal but there is no flush, just a slightly larger than usual hole which drops down several feet to some compost; apparently they work very well and there is absolutely no smell! The downside is that it’s unusually drafty when you are sitting down! 😱
Following a late lunch I began to sort the motorhome after my guests and had a go at clearing sand from the beach items, drying towels etc. And then a big afternoon doze – I was pretty tired from my jolly holiday with Em & Teddy!
Mileage – Hillhead Farm to Moreton = 90 miles
Sunday 2nd August
This morning I sat in bed with a cuppa reading my book for a loooong time. After a late breakfast I start a slow pack when I noticed the canopy on the side of the motorhome had not fully returned to its slot. This has happened before and was supposed to be fixed. I wind it back and forth a couple of times but it’s no good, so I approach the friendly neighbour who helps me by pushing on the side of the canopy as it retracts. During this operation I pinched my hand in the winder, there is a bit of blood and it’s now everywhere! The canopy is better than it was but still not fully in place …….. another item to have fixed on my return. 😟
I have to check out from this site by midday and can’t arrive at Haycraft until 1.00 p.m. and the journey is only 20 minutes …… hmmmmm.
Arriving at Haycraft just before 1.00 p.m. I was rewarded with the pitch on the upper layer with the very best view of Nine Barrow Down (hill) and the sea.
Unfortunately, although the pitch looks level it runs down towards the front and, even up on the yellow ramps, I was to spend the week on a slight tilt to the front. Best not to come out of the rear bathroom at a run!!
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-sites/england/southern-england/dorset/haycraft-caravan-club-site/
Mileage – Moreton to Haycraft = 21 miles
Monday 3rd August
I set off on Betty Blue and cycled into to Swanage for grocery supplies. As I reached the bridge at Harmans Cross over the Swanage Railway I was rewarded by both a diesel and a steam train passing each other there. It’s great the railway is up and the running again after lockdown. https://swanagerailway.co.uk
I planned a route on my useful Ordnance Survey app which would avoid the main roads and take me along the single track underhill road.
Just before Swanage I came across some Commonwealth War Graves at Godlingston Cemetery; there’s always a sign outside a cemetery where the graves are present and there’s always the CWGC app. I spent a content 30 mins wandering around looking for the Commonwealth War Graves and chatting to a man who was visiting his friend’s very recent grave. What a peaceful and very beautiful place.
I believe the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is outstanding – they care for graves at over 23,000 locations across the world – https://www.cwgc.org
Having locked Betty Blue to a cycle rack at the Post Office in Swanage, I drifted around the town and seafront. The good news is that I bought a new collapsible bucket with the added bonus of a lid, so taking the grey waste to the drain while my tap is missing, no longer means having a wet and smelly right leg – yay!
I sat outside a tourist café for lunch – crab sandwich average; view of my favourite hill – Ballard Down – awesome!
A stroll along Swanage Pier which is also is looking good after the storm damage repair. http://www.swanagepiertrust.com
On this link is a beautifully drawn and narrated cartoon giving the history of my favourite pier. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=x9GXz344X6w&feature=emb_logo
Sponsored plaques on the pier for people I know. I always struggle to find them (the plaques, not the people!).
Tuesday 4th & Wednesday 5th August
Knitting, crochet, podcasts, dozing, chilling and lots and lots of West Wing episodes in the evenings.
Thursday 6th August
Today I cycled on Betty Blue along the underhill road in the other direction to Corfe Castle. The village was pretty busy – queues at most of the shops. I was going to continue to the lovely RSPB Arne but, as I went over to the station to look at the trains there was a diesel train into Swanage due so I switched my plan and leapt on board.
On arrival at Swanage station there was a Purbeck Breezer open top bus going towards Studland so I boarded that and got off at Knoll Beach.
At the National Trust café on the beach I bought a steak pasty for lunch. The pasty was very hot indeed …… I mean so hot I couldn’t eat it for about 20 minutes. I found a spot on the beach with a lovely view of Old Harry Rocks.
And now the journey in reverse. The Purbeck Breezer approaches but the front display says ‘Bus Full’ (that is Coronavirus full). Fortunately a gentleman got off so I was able to get on after all. Back to Swanage station and I had to negotiate my way on to a steam train back to Corfe Castle; I’d missed my ‘booked train’ but hadn’t realised what a problem that might be with the reduced capacity. Eeek!
Lovely view over Swanage on the way back to the site on Betty Blue.
Friday 7th August
Chill day with a pleasant gin & tonic before dinner.
Saturday 8th August
This morning’s operation is ‘Pack and Go’ to avoid the holiday traffic. I left at 8.00 a.m. and, with just one quick stop at Winchester services, was back at the storage by 11.30 ish where Husband was there to help me unload.
A treat for dinner tonight – veal schnitzel a la Husband – very nice indeed.
Mileage – Haycraft to storage = 172 miles
TiddleyOmPomPom on Tour 