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!

Poole, Dorset

Our last night away, and it was the coldest. The night sky lit by diamonds. Fortunately we'd purchased the thermal wrap around cover for our pop top.

This morning as the first light of daybreak spread across the grass we were not surprised to see the first frost of autumn. Today was a big day for Angela. She was having her broken front tooth extracted. Which despite her nerves went well. Now she's going to really look the part for Halloween. The day we return home from our holiday is always a sad one. But today's our spirits were lifted as we stopped off at Thame to view a house. It's time for us to make plans, life won't wait.

First though, we have another rental house to prepare for a new tenant, luckily the outlay required won't be as expensive as the last time we did this. As for our holiday, our overnight costs for the last twenty three nights were £251.90. And we stayed at some wonderful spots didn't we Margery.

Poole, Dorset

Today is John's seventieth birthday. It is also the tenth day of celebrating this birthday. After a challenging coastal walk, a relaxing weekend camping in the new forest and taking in some art at Beaulieu today we were once again armed with walking poles and rucksacks, we say rucksacks, just small day packs actually, which were all we needed for our six and a half mile hike across the heathlands of Studland to Corfe Castle. First a bus to Wareham. Since realising how cheap bus travel is in our area we've become quite taken with this mode of transport. Of course John travels free, and Angela is three pounds per single journey, with the exception of our Portland to Weymouth bus journey which cost her a whopping 10p. Our walk today would cover a section of the Purbeck Way. Beginning in Wareham, of course fuelled by coffee and cake, our day packs bursting with goodies bought at Sainsburys for John's birthday lunch, we walked alongside the River Frome, the moored boats looking more cheerful in the sunlight than the gloom of a winters day when we sometimes walk this path. On the flood plain, young deer grazed, oblivious to our watching.

Following signs for the Purbeck Way we walked into Ridge village and then out into the heathland which is when we became somewhat lost.

Of course someone had removed the finger post which would direct us. So we went with our instinct and eventually ended up by the main road, crossing it and walking down to the parking area at The Blue Pool where we found somewhere to sit under the trees away from the crowds to eat a very nice lunch of cold meat, cheese, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, Spanish tortilla, bread sticks and fruit.

We had now once again picked up the signs for the Purbeck Way, venturing across boggy heathland and into the trees before being spat out into the noise and chaos of the Norden Farm campsite.

The path runs behind the site and through yet more trees bringing you out on a ridge that affords spectacular views of Corfe Castle. It's a view that you won't see from the road. Our reward for completing this walk, yet more unhealthy refreshment! The days celebrations not over, we took a bus back to Poole, tidied ourselves, and walked down to Poole old town for a meal at the Flavours of Asia Thai restaurant. It's a family run restaurant, and has become our favourite place to eat out at. What a day. Cards and presents opened. Cake and ice cream eaten, yet more steps to add to this moths total, and all topped off with a fantastic meal.