Thursday 3rd June (Day 1)
So today is another attempt to get away. Last time we failed, as Chris needed surgery on her wrist. Again Chris had a hospital appointment first thing and we were unsure if we would get away. I dropped her off at the hospital and went to Tescos to shop for the trip. By 11.30am Chris rang and said we were off! After picking her up we made our way to the M25. Destination was the Camping and Caravan Club site at Corfe Castle - a four hour trip. The M25 tried to frustrate us with two ‘sticky bits’. Then a quick stop for lunch at Fleet services followed by a stop to top up with gas which in itself was a bit of an adventure. When I was at Tescos in Romford I identified a fuel station with LPG and rang them; “Yes we have gas” was the reply. I put their postcode in the satnav and off we went. This stop was to be at Ringwood and we left the main road and drove into Ringwood, guided by the Satnav, around the High Street; along a lane with ‘Road Closed Ahead’, over a narrow bridge. Surely this could not be right? I then asked a passerby only to find the fuel station was on the main road we left about 400m further on and we could see it from where we were. Due to the road being closed we had to retrace our steps. Anyway we did get LPG and then by just after 4.00pm we arrived. We were meeting Dave, Gill, Chris, Graham and Masie who were already there. When we left home and, indeed, the previous days the temperature had been in the low-mid 20 degrees but as we neared the site the weather changed from the 23+ degrees to about 15 degrees ……. and rain. That said we soon set up and joined the others for a chat dodging the light rain by creeping under the awning of Dave and Gill’s brand new motorhome - and very nice it was. Around 6.15pm we all went to our motorhomes for dinner to reconvene at Dave’s at 8.00pm. We opted to change from our shorts to long trousers and socks before returning as it had chilled down. We then just sat and chatted as a group until almost 11.00pm. A pleasant start to the trip.
Friday 4th June (Day 2)
Today it was a bus ride to Poole. So after breakfast we strolled the mile into Corfe Castle village and caught the 11.22am route 40 bus to Poole - a fifty minute journey. It was a pleasant stroll into the village in the warmth of the sunshine. The bus was ten minutes late but what the heck. Arriving in Poole, Dave sent a message to Ray (of Ray and Lesley Cripps - one of our extended group). They live fifteen minutes away at Corfe Mullen and were going to meet us. Poole was a busy place and is the place where the Scouts first started with their first scout camp in 1907, on Brownsea Island situated in the harbour. There is a statue of Baden-Powell, the scouting founder, on the harbour side. During the ‘Black Lives Matters’ demonstrations in recent months the Baden-Powell statue was both boarded up and the locals kept vigil to prevent history being erased by the ‘vandals’. We met Ray and Lesley on the water front as expected and while chatting, reminiscing, and catching up with news and events, Ray said ‘Look who is there!”. We looked and saw another of our more extended group, Mike and Linda Bennett, who live near Cambridge but were staying nearby at Wareham for a few days in their motorhome. More catching up on news and then a brief walk to a pub garden for lunch and a pint. That said, the manager / barman / whatever he was was a very brusque, abrupt person and we could surely have found a better place, especially as Poole seems to have more pubs than most other places we have been to. A bit of shopping followed, well we were with Gill, and then at 4.35pm we took the bus back. It was still warm back at the site and we sat around again having a drink and chat until past 7.30pm when hunger caused us to return to our motorhomes to have our evening meal. We then again like yesterday put on warmer clothes and returned for more chat and socialising. Bedtime was gone 11.00pm
Saturday 5th June (Day 3)
Well after a simple breakfast of melon the day was quite well planned. Firstly, the six of us were booked in at 10.30am at Corfe Castle (a National Trust Site). Being a NT site we had free entry being members. The castle was built, or started, in 1086! An hour so took us around the site with views as far away as Poole. It was clearly a great place for a defensive castle with a long history of sieges and treachery. We then strolled down to the Swanage Railway Station where we booked a six person First Class compartment to take us by steam train to Swanage. It was very plush and comfortable. Arriving 25 minutes later we walked down to the beach and had a lovely hot pastie sitting by the sea. The sea was a fabulous blue and many people were using the good weather to swim, canoe and paddle board. While eating Chris was (un)lucky in that she had a seagull fly past and poo over her. This resulted in a walk for me to purchase some wet wipes to clean her up! Next was an extended walk along the sea front until we arrived at a pub away from the main busy crowded area. A pint or two followed and then a short walk back to get the last train at 4.15pm, back to Corfe Castle. Again we had our own compartment. A pleasant walk back from the station to the site and a drink before we cooked our dinners separately. A really good day in pleasantly warm weather which, unfortunately, it looks like tomorrow will be very different.
Sunday 6th June (Day 4)
Today was meant to be wet and during the night a bit of rain fell. We awoke to a patchy blue sky with no knowing which would win - sun or rain. Dave and Gill were off home today and about 11.30am we said our goodbyes and they left. We then had a coffee and decided on a walk which would end In Corfe itself as we were booked in for lunch at 2.30pm. I had plotted a 5 miles circular walk (about 75 minutes in total). At around 12.30pm we were off. It was initially a steep climb to the top of Knowle Hill and then a walk along the top of the ridge. The views were quite good even though we were almost at the height of the cloud base. Over 30 horses and riders on a ‘funday canter’ along the way went by. The return leg was along the base of the hill and was still very pleasant. That was until we met a herd of forty or so cows and their young. We climbed up the hill slightly to try and avoid them but they made it very clear they were very unhappy at our presence. To make things worse they had stopped and congregated by the footpath we wanted to follow. We opted to walk further along the lower path back to the campsite and then on to Corfe across some fields. At one point we stopped as, within less than 30 foot of us, there was a deer just standing watching us and it was happy to be photographed. Arriving across the fields at The Fox public house we found a space in their garden. (We had booked to be inside as the forecast yesterday was a 40% chance of rain but this proved to be erroneous.) A pleasant meal followed, despite the overworked staff. We all agreed that, while we had sufficient to eat, an extra potato / bit of veg / and slice of beef would have been most welcome, especially at the price of £14 per person. On the way back across the fields Maisie was let off her lead and in the long grass she bounded off like a rabbit and we lost her for about five or so minutes. A nervous time for the grownups but pure unadulterated pleasure for Maisie. Reunited we continued to the site. When back we had a drink and then, as it was cooling down, we retired into Chris and Graham’s motorhome where later we had ‘picky bits’ to eat and a glass or two of wine and then played the Mexican Train Game. Chris Stephens on the walk had stepped in a cowpat and this proved to be lucky as she won handsomely at the game. It was gone 11.00pm that we walked back to our motorhome surrounded by a swirling mist and in pitch blackness. I haven’t mentioned to date the robin. This little bird was a frequent visitor to our group over the last three days and was clearly unfazed by Maisie. On many occasions it would settle on the back of a chair occupied by one of us and less than 30cms from the occupant of the seat. A real bonus for us to ‘meet the locals’.
Monday 7th June (Day 5)
So we are moving off to day. 9km (or 5.8miles) to a Temporary Holiday Site run by the Camping and Caravan Club at Swanage and Wareham Rugby club. Not surprisingly we took less than 15 minutes. We set up next to Linda and Mike Bennett (we knew they were there) Chris , Gra & maisie arrived shortly after. Linda kindly invited in for coffee and a further catch up. Chris, Graham, Masie and both of us then set off for a walk. We took a riverside walk to Wareham, the River Frome. It was quite overgrown in places but manageable. While in Wareham we both did a bit of food shopping (we only needed bread) and then returned to the site with the idea of lunch and then just lazing in the nice sunshine. Well the best laid plans etc. The sun went in and while not cold it was not t-shirt conditions. We braved it out and then had steak on the BBQ. Then it was over to Linda and Mike’s motorhome for the evening chat.
Tuesday 8th June (Day 6)
A slow start, and a big boys breakfast, the first of the trip. Chris and Graham are even slower than us in the morning - up much earlier but no breakfast until gone 10.00am is their usual pattern. Then we bade farewell to Linda and Mike who were off home. We decided to walk in the other direction along the river, which again led to Wareham as the River loops around. In actual fact we soon found we left the river and walked across some green and lush fields alongside the flooded gravel pits alive with birds. A short walk along the town walls to the main river area and a pint of beer sitting in the sun. We thought it to be a good idea to catch the ferry to Poole and return by bus for something different. This we did and had a 70 minute jaunt down the river to Poole with many birds being pointed out and even some seals sunning themselves. As you would expect being a boat ride Chris was in her element. Arriving in Poole we strolled the waterfront. We had photos taken with the bronze of Baden-Powell. After a while we had an ice cream each before making our way to the bus station for a 50 minute ride to Wareham, and a very hot and stuffy ride it was. We returned to the campsite and again had a BBQ. As the evening chilled down we all went inside and played both the Mexican Train Game and (S)Uno.
Wednesday 9th June (Day 7)
This morning we are off again and saying goodbye to Chris, Graham and Maisie until Sunday. They left about 9.45 and we followed half an hour later having filled with water, It was a two hour drive to Lady’s Mile Holiday Park, in Dawlish. A stop on route at a Tescos in Dorchester, one of the prettiest we have ever seen with water fountains. Then on to the camp site. It is a large site with two pools, several bars and eateries also. We settled in and, as it was so sunny, decided to get the washing done. This meant a quite steep walk down to the main buildings and back - twice. Some good exercise will be had on this site I am sure. Resa and Eric are to join us but it took nearly two hours for them to get from their home to the Dartford Crossing due to traffic issues so they were going to be much later than expected. Having hung the washing out the sun promptly disappeared and we got light rain so the Quest pop-up tent was called into action. Eventually Resa and Eric arrived and settled in. Then the weather dictated a sit, chat, drink, eat evening.
Thursday 10th June (Day 8)
Today we were to meet some friends of Resa and Eric who they met in 2017 in Spain. Firstly, after breakfast, we went for a stroll to Dawlish itself. Here we saw some black swans and cygnets, which the town is well known for and is part of the heritage of the town. This is the area where the railway line was washed away by the rough sea several years ago and the work to protect it is still ongoing. We stopped for coffee before the walk back up the (very) steep hill for lunch in the motorhome, stopping to peruse a boot fair just outside the camp site. Nothing bought! Then after lunch a walk down to Dawlish Warren to meet the friends at ‘The Boathouse Inn’. While Dawlish is a quiet seaside Town, Dawlish Warren is the Butlins of the area. Funfair, burgers, ice cream vans / shops, pubs galore and many tattooed people. Shiela and John were a couple who lived nearby in Dawlish. They cycled to meet us and were so easy to get on with. There followed three hours of chat until we said our goodbyes and turned back to the site for an evening meal - another steep uphill walk. Despite the cooling temperature we chatted outside until almost 11.00pm before sleep called.
Friday 11th June (Day 9)
The weather looks quite good today. After breakfast we walked out to the local bus stop to catch a bus to Starcross, a fairly short trip. Here we caught the Starcross to Exmouth ferry. It was a quick 15 minute trip. Upon arriving we walked along the esplanade and stopped for a coffee. A walk around the church and town was next with lunch in a pub (where else?). We all had a lobster, crab and deep fried prawn open sandwich which was do die for. A bit more mooching about and a purchase of our tea from a local butcher (big lamb chops for us) then the ferry back. Resa and Eric caught the bus ‘home’ but we opted for a three mile walk along the coast which was very pleasant. Upon getting back we sat in the Quest pop-up as there was some very light rain. Chris tried to FaceTime the grandchildren as tomorrow is Chloé’s birthday with only partial success. When the rain stopped we cooked our meals. Then sat around until gone 10.00pm chatting.
Saturday 12th June (Day 10)
Today we are going to Rich and Su’s cottage in the afternoon. First breakfast and then while Resa and Eric lazed around we walked to the local Sainsbury’s for a couple of things. On the return we opted to go along a footpath which took us via Dawlish Warren, extending our walk from less than a mile to almost three, but very pleasant. We then joined Resa and Eric slobbing around until lunch. At 3.30pm we went to the main gate where Richard picked us up. A short 30 minute drive took us to their cottage on the Killington Estate, a National Trust site. A lovely old cottage nicely modernised - but not too much. We went for a short walk in the estate and on returning sat in the glorious sunshine until Richard lit the BBQ. We had chicken, burger, sausage, corn on the cob, baked potatoes and salad - a right feast. Afterwards we walked back into the estate and visited the old church and played Kubb on the grass outside. Returning to the cottage garden we sat outside and played the Mexican Train Game and by about 8.00pm we went indoors and continued finishing with (S)Uno. Richard returned us back to the campsite by 10.40pm We all agreed it was a great day.
Sunday 13th June (Day 11)
So off today to our last stop of the trip. After breakfast we finished packing and said ‘au revoir’ to Resa and Eric as we would me them at the next location. 10.50am saw us off. The first part was a slowish narrow drive until we got to the A30 then it was dual carriageway all the way. Our destination was Hendra Holiday Camp Site, near Newquay, Cornwall. It was a two hour drive and we arrived to time. That said we overshot half a mile to a Morrisons for some provisions. Returning to the site we followed Chris, Graham and Maisie in who had just arrived. We both quickly set up. We were closely followed by Sue and Alan and then Eric and Resa. Having all set up we sat in the 23 degrees sunshine chatting. Surprisingly Eric, while being a ‘it must be hot’ person nearly always chooses to sit in the shade. Chris, Chris and I went for a walk around the site. It is a large, well appointed Premier Site and even larger than Lady’s Mile. While we had this stroll the others watched England Play Croatia in the Euro 2020’s which was a boring match (we saw the second half). More chatting and then we all cooked out evening meal, followed by chat and bed.
Monday 14th June (Day 12)
So today we have all opted to catch the 11.33am bus into Newquay. Newquay, by all accounts, is hardly going to ‘light our fire’. Over our breakfast I suggested to Chris we catch the 10.33am bus and then go for a decent walk. (The others’ plans are a stroll around a few shops and then pub.) We agreed to go for our ‘plan’. We informed the others in case they wanted to join us on the walk. In the end only Chris, Graham and Masie did so. So we joined a quite large queue at the bus stop outside the site and when the number 25 bus arrived we all piled on. Arriving at Newquay Chris and Masie took the lead as they knew the area. We walked through the town and down to Fistral Beach (THE surfing dude location of Cornwall.) Then along the coastline and over the headland where we stopped for a coffee. Here Chris (the northern one) lost her balance and fell over at the table, fortunately not hurting herself too much. The coffee was, at best, average. What followed was a very steep pathway down to the river which runs to the west of Newquay. This is a tidal river and, at the correct time, it is possible to walk over a short wooden bridge and the sands to the other side. We were lucky as it was a good time to do so. Having crossed the river we continued along the coastal path for over 5 miles in a circular walk. It took in the views over Crantock Beach and poppy fields which were pretty. The circular walk brought us to Crantock village where we intended catching a bus back to Newquay. Before doing so we bought the last four traditional pasties from the Post Office cum shop. They were excellent. The number 5 bus duly arrived and we got on only to find, just before it moved off, it was going to Truro not Newquay. Ten minutes later a number 5 bus arrived again at the same bus stop heading in the right direction and we had a twenty five minute trip back. On arriving in Newquay we felt we had earned a pint. Here the problems started. Almost ALL the pubs were ‘No Entry Unless Booked’. Most were virtually empty but could we get in……..NO! Eventually, and with the help of the other half of our ‘team’ we arrived at The Griffin Inn and got a couple of beers. Then it was a short walk to the bus stop to return to the campsite. We arrived about 5.30pm. A cooked meal (big boys steak and all the trimmings) followed then we played the Mexican Train Game until bedtime.
Tuesday 15th June (Day 13)
The only plan to day was to meet at 10.00am to make a plan! We had fried potatoes, black pudding and a fried egg to start our day. Others (Resa and Eric) slept in. And so it was an 11.00am meeting for the days event to be decided. Sue and Alan stated they were going to stay on site and rest. The remaining six decided on a bus ride to Perranporth - so a bus to Newquay and then a 30 minute bus journey to Perranporth. The other decision made was meal at a local pub, The Two Clomes, for the evening. The 11.33am bus was our choice so it was ‘skates on’. We made the bus and off to Newquay bus station. Then the 86 to Perranporth. Not only was it not a 30 minute trip, as thought by a few, but over 60 minutes but the bus route passed within half a mile of our campsite which could have saved the ‘young’ ones (Chris and Resa) £3.80 each! Anyway, an interesting journey through narrow lanes and small villages in a double decker bus until we arrived at Perranporth. It is a nice small-ish seaside town with an enormous sandy beach. we walked about looking for a coffee stop and eventually found one (not a good one to be sure). Chris and I then agreed to go on a coastal walk to either Cubert village or Holywell Bay depending on our energy. The other four declined to join us. So we bade farewell and set off. Very quickly we decided on a snack of a pasty, what else? We shared a pasty that was, well, below average and disappointing. However, what followed was a stunning walk with some very steep ups and downs of about four to five miles. The views over small bays and cliffs with butterflies galore, flowers scenting the air, hawks hovering above and the breeze raising horses tails on the wave tops was just brilliant. Getting to Holywell Bay the first of our potential destinations was far enough for us. We were quite tired. Sitting at a beach side bar with a pint or two was much appreciated. We then caught the 5.14pm bus back to Newquay. Knowing now that we did not have to go into Newquay but alight at the Morrisons Superstore down the road from the site. We needed to buy something for tea as I had not mentioned that, on contacting the pub, they did not cook on Tuesdays. It meant we had to ‘slum it’ with fresh tasty bread and Mussels in Garlic Butter sauce. The group then split into two groups - The majority watching France play Germany in the Euros and then Chris, Sue and myself sitting in the dwindling light and chatting. Just after 10.00pm we retired to our warmer homes.
Wednesday 16th June (Day 14)
A dull start to the day. For us, not being able to go on a trip to France this year, I brought a bit of France to us. I strolled up to the shop and bought some freshly baked croissants. They were buttery and flakey - just the job. The 11.33am bus into Newquay beckoned but a bit earlier another bus arrived, a D2. We boarded and bought returns as we were assured the ticket would be accepted on the ‘normal’ bus provider, as this was a different carrier. In Newquay we walked to Fistral Beach. We all stood and watched the surfers for a while and then decided to walk up the headland. This we did, leaving Sue and Alan near the bottom to await our return. Good views of the crashing waves were our reward. The next headland was to be our next objective. On this promontory was ‘The Huer’s Hut’. It is believed to have been built in the 14th century. It was occupied at certain times of the year by a villager when shoals of pilchards were due. When spotted the villager would raise the alarm (hue and cry) and the townsfolk encircled the fish with nets. It is possible that despite this it was originally used by a hermit. Upon getting back to the town one or two wanted to go to a pub. Newquay, however, was now a hotspot for COVID which, it would appear, started in ‘good’ Wetherspoons. Apart from the fact we were eating this evening in a pub this COVID spike put several of us off. Indeed quite few pubs were closed for the day for a deep clean. (Again not Wetherspoons; they sent their staff home; shipped in some others and closed for a few hours.) So we bought pasties and sat and ate them before catching ‘our’ bus back. At this point we found that the first bus driver, well, lied to us. The return tickets were not valid, so Resa and Chris had to pay another £2.50 to get home. Back at the site we sat around before Chris and I walked the mile and a half to the local pub, The Two Clomes and the others arrived by bus. (A clome is a Cornish bread oven and the pub had two of them.) We then had a thoroughly good meal before all walking back to site as the buses stopped running by 6.00pm. We sat out chatting for a while until the damp got to us all.
Thursday 17th June (Day 15)
Today we had decided to go for another walk and we took a bus into Newquay with Mawgan Porth as the hoped for objective. Only Graham decided to join us. A short ride into Newquay to join the North Cornwall Footpath. The views and walk was great. Like on a previous walk we experienced the deep blue / aquamarine seas; small sandy coves / sandy beaches; horses tails raised by the breeze; butterflies and birds perched just feet away. Our thoughts were that the walk was at least as good as many we had undertaken in Europe. Arriving at Watergate Bay we had a coffee and a few ‘picky bits’ that we bought with us. We then found that Mawgan Porth did not appear to have a bus service. We adjusted our walk to go on to another nearby village, via Mawgan Porth. Off again we went and having arrived at Mawgan Porth we found it was on a bus route. Happy days as the extra distance would be a challenge! We adjourned to the pub for pint and to research bus times. What a waste of time. Buses that should arrive didn’t and a bus that was not schedule did and we missed it. We decide to have another pint and cab it home. We got back around 5.00pm. The rest were back and were drinking (what else). We joined them for a short time until it was time to cook the evening meal. After food we all congregated in the Quest pop-up to play games and chat.
Friday 18th June (Day 16)
So another nice day meaning the threatened thunderstorms for yesterday and today were wrong….hooray! After a simple breakfast of sausage in a roll we all went for the 11.14am bus in the opposite direction to normal, ie towards St Austell and Fowey. That said we only went about four stops while the others went on to Charlestown (where Poldark was filmed). Having alighted we had a twenty minute walk to Trerice, an Elizabthan National Trust Property. It was a smallish house and gardens. A very pleasant gardens and house it was nice without being spectacular. We sat in the sunshine and ate our picnic, well today is National Picnic Day! It was pleasant couple of hours spent. We then walked back to the main road / bus route. On the way we discussed whether to return to the site, go onward to St Austell or further to Charlestown. With the journey times we opted for St Austell - a mistake as it turned out. Anyway getting on the bus driven by Lewis Hamilton’s Cornwall pal was an experience in itself. Arriving at St Austell we walked around a quite soulless town (or city?). A coffee which was nice and then the bus back home. On reflection we should have gone onto Charlestown but that can be for another day. It was still a good last day. However, when the others returned they could not speak more highly of Charlestown - a curse on their houses methinks. A bit of minor housekeeping and a few drinks followed before we cooked the evening meal. After food it was the men to one van to watch England play Scotland in the Euro 2020 (0-0 a rubbish game) and women another van … to watch the footy also. After the match is was back to our own motorhomes.
Photo: Trerice House and Gardens
Saturday 19h June (Day 17)
We were driving home in one hop today as Richard is having a Dad’s day BBQ tomorrow. This meant a seven hour drive (and the M4 is closed both ways from junctions 5 to 6). So we were off just before 9.00am. We emptied our grey waste and found the waste pipe was broken. We needed a hacksaw and the site staff helped us out. Next stop Morrisons for cheap diesel but most of the diesel pumps were not working and there was a queue so we abandoned that idea. Fifty miles away we filled up at the same price as Morrisons. Our first stop was for a cup of tea and some lunch at Gloucester services on the M5. Due to the M4 being shut and knowing how the A303 can be a problematical we went further north up the M5 to Cheltenham and then across country to the A40 / M40. We knew from previous trips that this was a good option. We were home by 4.00pm having had a fairly clear, congestion free, trip.
Photo: None
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