Trigon Farm Campsite, Near Wareham, Dorset, England (day 2)

Day two in Poole, and lots to do. Most importantly haircuts. It's been fifteen weeks since we were both coiffured. Whilst away in Marge our hair began to become a little wild, so Angela decided to trim John's and her own. When it came to her own, the back was guesswork. The hairdresser today amused, commented, 'you missed a bit'. The strip down the centre at the back of her head resembling a Mohican. Oh well, a girl can only do her best. So now we both have very short hair, it was the only way to rectify Angela's  attempt at do it yourself hairdressing. They say, never trust an Italian with anything that has handle bars or a steering wheel, in Angela's case, scissors and hair clippers! So a busy day, but after our jobs were done we rewarded ourselves with drinks outside a bar on Poole quay before a meal at the nearby pizza restaurant.

The area is quieter now, the holidaymakers few. The weather this evening on the turn, cooler and fresher, somehow we think we may wish for the hot days of July and August to return.

Trigon Farm Campsite, Near Wareham, Dorset, England

We're working away from home. Honest. Some maintenance and  inspections on two of our rental houses in Poole. A night in the Premier inn Poole, £127.00!. Thankfully we have Margery, a little more comfortable than Marge. £27.00 for two nights sounds much more reasonable. Angela joined us up for the Caravan and Motorhome club when there was a special offer on the joining fee. All over the country there are CL sites, mostly on farms. Large fields, sometimes amongst trees with facilities ranging from none to water, waste, toilet and shower.

 Tonight, fish finger rolls, water, waste disposal and a peaceful setting in the Dorset countryside at Wareham Forest, just half an hour from Poole. Much more us. We've been home now after our Moroccan trip for a month, so the chance to leave home and living in our van for a couple of nights excited us as we find it hard to be at home when the weather's good. Tomorrow, we drive back to Poole, but we don't mind, once the jobs are done we'll be in holiday mode.

Nice view from our sliding side door.

Poole, Dorset, England

There's something about an early morning walk along a beach. Not intending to rise early, especially after watching most of last night's world cup football final, Angela took a stroll out. Boats sat drunkenly on the flat sands, washed smooth as the tide slipped far offshore. The only sound was the flapping of flags in the garden of a nearby property. It was idyllic. Our last day in France, and Angela wanted to savour every moment of it. So we packed up quickly and drove a few miles to the supermarket to buy a few provisions and of course wine.

We probably won't be coming to France again this year, thanks to Brexit, so wine for Christmas was on our shopping list. We are going to really miss French supermarkets, they never fail to deliver or entertain.

And of course our next stop had to be the pretty fishing village of Barfleur. We've visited here many times, and are always very happy to stop for coffee and walk around. This time we parked Marge on the far side of the harbour, where most of the visitors don't venture, and ate lunch at a picnic bench by the water feeling very French, especially as some men  nearby were playing boules.

Except for breakfast on our very first morning, all our meals have been prepared, cooked and eaten outside. Sadly, in no time at all it was time for Marge to take us on our final drive down to the ferry port at Cherbourg with Angela feeling beyond sad. Sad because this trip was almost over, sad because she was leaving her beloved France, and sad because this would probably be the last time we sailed on the Brittany Ferries ship Barfleur on the Cherbourg to Poole crossing. 

The ship is being sold, and the sailing will cease as it's no longer economical. Angela remembers sailing on the Barfleur when it came into service, she can't remember how many times we've sailed on her over the years. When we lived in Poole it was convenient for us whether we were cycling or driving. It is still convenient for us now, as we can easily visit our rental houses when we are en route to France. None of us like change, and the sailing ending is the end of an era Angela is very unhappy about. She knows change is good, and that we'll adapt to sailing from Portsmouth, or other ports, discovering new overnight stops. Crossing Poole to Cherbourg she likens to wearing a pair of old slippers. It feels comfortable. As the coastline of France disappeared into the horizon, with Angela squinting her eyes trying not to lose sight, a chapter is closing, and a new one is beginning. A little like our trip. As this one comes to an end, another one awaits. The Barfleur may not be part of it, but at least we will always have the memories of sailing on her. For the record today's temperature in France has been a chilly 19c. How have we gone from 43c down to this? Did we really complain about those hot debilitating days in Morocco, Spain and France?

Poole, Dorset

Here we are back in Poole.

We left Thame mid morning  to carry out a quick painting job at one of our rentals in Poole. When we arrived the weather was fine, but this afternoon the heavens opened, resulting in a beautiful rainbow arching over the harbour.

 We decided to seek refuge down by the waterfront, where we enjoyed some down time whilst eating delicious food at a pub down at the quay. Tomorrow morning, at eight-thirty we will be on a sailing to France, so for our convenience we are staying overnight at Poole Ferry Terminal, Marge holding her ground amongst the posh motorhomes and caravans.

Our destination is Morocco. Do you hear that Marge? We'd really like you to get us there, and back. We have been home just four days, and in our haste have forgotten to purchase headlight deflectors and the breathalyser kit required for European travel. But that's not a problem, if the adjacent cafe with a small shop is open in the morning we'll buy them there, otherwise we'll have to purchase them on the car ferry. No worries. When we arrived home from Scotland John was surprised how much his courgettes had grown. He planted them from seed with one of our grandsons.

Before leaving for Scotland 

Before leaving this morning

That grandson is now in charge of watering, and we are hoping when we return the plants will be bearing produce. If all goes well we'll be returning home towards the end of July. Do you hear that Marge? We'd like this trip to run smoothly please, no wobbly moments as on your last trip to Europe.

Poole, Dorset

Angela's dental visit complete we head home at last. Muddy Marge waiting patiently on the drive for our return.

Poole, Dorset

Well here we are, home again. What a week! It's flown by. Our transfer to the airport wasn't until 2 pm so this morning after packing our bags we walked along the seafront to the ancient city, and boy were we glad we did. Unlike our visit on our first full day it was a long quieter and we were able to take more photographs without people constantly photo bombing us.

A coffee and tea stop at a cafe over looking the harbour was to be our final treat. The waiter spoke very good English and it materialised he was married, his wife's a senior nurse at a hospital in Warrington. Seemed a strange marital arrangement they had, but hey ho. John mentioned to him we'd been snubbed by a member of staff at the shop adjacent to the cafe when we last visited the area. Upon discovering we were not German, the free samples of apple and pomegranate tea we'd been proffered were promptly withdrawn. We know. Unbelievable! So today we were to be honoured with free apple and pomegranate tea, and a large plate of very sickly Turkish delight, which of course we had to force ourselves to consume as much as possible. That'll teach us to complain! Sadly with no more time to soak up the rays of the late summer sun we strolled back to our hotel. Sun beds were being collected from the beach and poolside, bushes were undergoing a trim and the stall holders seem subdued. We were told the season would end in about ten days. Why? It's 75f and sunny here. As our transfer mini bus took us to the airport we realised the other passengers were the ones who accompanied us on that dark night when we were deposited outside the Hotel A Side. Laughing now, they agreed they wondered where we'd been left. But after talking with the couple behind us who'd stayed further down the coast at a five star all inclusive it seemed we'd got the better deal. A very nice breakfast buffet that also provided our lunch of cheese sandwiches, technically upgrading us to half board, and the fantastic China Corner restaurant which we are already missing. They complained their hotel was too large and too noisy. Just shows you perhaps sometimes it's best to consider a three star hotel with breakfast only. Antalya airport was busy. But we stayed calm and easily managed to find our way. Extra security was in place, and of course Angela was stopped. Thank God John had our bag of dirty washing. Search over, she wondered why she'd bothered to pack her bag so neatly. Our Jet 2 flight home to Bournemouth was busy. There were quite a few children on board and the three Turkish children two rows in front of us were noisy, the youngest cried for the whole of the four hour flight! Slightly annoying. Now we are home and already we have itchy feet. We caught sight of a holiday in Tunisia in the window of Tui in the town. Might be worth a look. The clock is ticking, we know it's never been more important to 'go for it'.

One of the cat houses, where local wild cats live very well provided for with food by the locals. 

Poole, Dorset

We couldn't go home without stopping for another walk out and more coffee and cake. So we took the short drive from our campsite down the coast to Hengisbury Head.

Autumn has well and truly established itself now, and as we walked among the trees the leaves of fiery orange, reds and purple looked beautiful. Sadly though our walk over, it was time to return home. Time to plan another holiday we think!