Set off in good time for our trip with K and A to Dorset. We booked again at the Durdle Door campsite, which we had all stayed at before earlier in the year.
http://www.lulworth.com/durdle-door-holiday-park/
En route we stopped off in Blandford for lunch and a wander round.
http://www.visit-dorset.com/about-the-area/blandford-forum-p1244183
We arrived early afternoon and had adjoining pitches close to the toilet blocks. Last time we were her we stayed right at the top of the cliff and had amazing views, but it was much windier this time so we went for more shelter under the big trees (and yes the crows were still there!) We had arrived in time for a wander down to Durdle Door, it is always so impressive, and not too busy at this time of year.
We put the awning up to give us some extra space, but it was pretty chilly. S in his wisdom decided to sleep in our new pop up tent inside the awning (we bought the tent essentially for storage when travelling) as he did not want to squash into the van with F and me! However this backfired on him as he was disturbed by loud revellers in the early hours and found it difficult to get back to sleep.
Saturday 24th October 2015
It is October and the weather is changeable. Mostly a very cold wind but there is some sun. We had looked in advance at a few things we could do and decided that we would all enjoy a trip on a steam train, especially F, so we set off for the local station at Norden and the train that would take us to Swanage and back. It was a lovely atmospheric journey.
http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/
Swanage http://www.visitswanage.com/
is a small seaside town, used as a military base during the war because of its position. We had a good walk round, coffee and cakes and then set off for the headland, where there are some lovely views.
Back at the station, we had a good view of the trains coming and going. Then for the journey home.
A and S decided to chill in the pub and we went for a walk in the evening sunlight to Lulworth Cove along the coastpath, the wind was biting but the views were amazing.
http://www.lulworthonline.co.uk/
It was a chilly evening and we were all exhausted after so much walking.
Sunday 25th October 2015
We all had a full English breakfast this morning, a joint effort, ferried between two vans! Afterwards we went down to the reception as they had told S that they would refund him the night that had been so disturbed by rowdy behaviour - there is a security guard, but he obviously was not in the right place at the right time. But we found to our delight that they were going to refund our whole stay! Result! I must say that we were not so impressed with the toilet block this time, in April it had been toasty but this time it was decidedly unwelcoming!
Afterwards we set off for Tyneham,
http://www.tynehamopc.org.uk/
the village deserted during WW11. It had been closed the last time we were in the area and so we were pleased to be able to visit this time. It really is very atmospheric, but was a lot more overgrown now than how I had remembered it when we visited in the early 1990's. I had hoped that the visitor book would still be there as I had signed it, but there was no sign of it in the school room. However, there was a lot more information about the villagers and who had lived in each of the houses which was very interesting.
After the village we set off down the path to Worbarrow bay, about a mile away. There were lots of walkers but it was an easy level path and the views of the bay at the end of it were stunning.
We said goodbye to K and A in the car park as they had to get back, and we made our way slowly home via the scenic route. We stopped at Whiteway viewpoint overlooking Tyneham for our lunch. Great views again, Dorset is a very photogenic county.
We were all tired by the time we got home, it had been a very active weekend, but we had all enjoyed it.
Planning our next trip together in 2016, where will we go? Cornwall v Yorkshire :)
