General Chat

Hi Everyone.It was such a beautiful day that I didn't want to be in all day so I met up with my son and we drove down to Swanage Dorset for the day.The drive from Portland takes us all along the coast from Weymouth through Owermoigne,Wool and up to Wareham.It was beautiful.The sea along the coast was magnifiscent,there was just enough chop on it to give it white horses.Once over the railway crossing at Wool, we made our way towards Wareham,remembering the speedy camers along this stretch of the road.It is sneekily positioned just after a bend and many get caught if they don't know it is there.I'm not inclined to fill the coffers ,so I took care to stay within the limit.We turned off along this stretch towards Lulworth.It directs you towards the ranges.Initially the drive is across the flood plain and then you climb steeply into the Purbeck Hills.I love going around these back roads as you come across hidden hamlets and villages that time has forgotten.The hedgerows are full of snowdrops and wild daffodils. Later in the year they will be ablaze with ponticum in shades of pink,mauve and purple.We wound our way around the lanes and by-ways and finally emerged onto the Swanage road at Stoborough. This is where the Danes landed near Wareham. The sun was shining brightly and it looked like a beautiful warm Spring day - so deceptive.There were lovely views of Corfe Castle and Ballard Down. We lunched in the pub at Church Knowle and were really glad of the roaring log fire.Then we continued on to Swanage driving under the lee of the Castle at Corfe and on to Swanage where we parked the car for a modest 50p As we stepped out of the car we got a blast of the icey wind.Swanage Bay faces due east and the wind was blowing straight off the sea.We zipped ourselves into our jackets,pulled or necks as far into the collars as they would go.put on gloves and scarves and set off for a walk. Swanage only really comes alive in the Summer.It is one of those seaside towns where as a local there you feel totally disregarded by the shop owners during the winter months.You are abandonned with little to sustain you.They have abandonned ship and all gone to Lanzarotte for the Winter.Today we had it pretty much to ourselves.It is half term week and the Swanage Railway was running Thomas the Tank engine specials.My little grandsons would have loved it. We nipped round the town a bit sharpish as our ears were beginning to go numb and decided on a cup of coffee and a bun rather that the planned walk over the headland.We arn't daft! The journey back was along the tops of the hill above the Swanage road which took us past the Scott Arms Pub.It used to be a lovely little country pub with small intimate rooms and bags of atmosphere.Where you were served by apple cheeked locals-The last time I went in there a few years ago the heart had been ripped out of it and you were rudely shoved around and directed here there and everywhere-Order Drinks here,Can I order food/ No you go down the steps and order food in the lower bar/FORGET IT sO WE HAVE NOT BEEN BACK SINCE. We drove home right into the sun,which at this time is low,but it was a wonderful sky.You get a fantastic view of Portland across the bay from here.I can remember us coming home very late one night along this road after we had been to an open air performance of The Magic Flute at Lulworth Castle.That was a night to remember.When we reached this stretch of road the full moon seemed to rollalong the horizon Then,like today it had been a wonderful day. Rose

I used to teach there Brian and I miss it.Conversely my husband was at school there and he hated it.He said 'wHY DO YOU LIKE THAT PLACE SO MUCH'' i SUPPOSE IT DEPENDS ON YOUR MEMORIES.

oh rose how wonderful as you already know,hubby and me are always at weymouth. we just love it there. as a child mum and dad always took us to swanage and when our kids were small we spend our holidays there. a few years ago(abt 5)my daughter was expecting her first baby and as it was a bank holiday a few weeks before her due date,hubby asked her if they wanted to come away with us,and she could choose the location. she promptly said SWANAGE! it was wonderful to go back although it had changed so much nowadays we prefer weymouth. and we often sit on portland watching the world go by..heaven eh? hubby would move to weymouth tomorrow,but i wont leave my children lol i suppose we could buy a house big enough to house all 15 of us lol ive just read your thread to hubby and hes sat here with a face of pure envy!!! bless him susie

SUSIE,promise me that you will not come to Weymouth again without telling me you are coming.Id love to meet up-See you in the Summer I hope.Funny,one of my boys was born in High Wycombe-Loudwater--Rose

Oh Rose! That was so beautiful. I was with you all the way! Have you ever written anything? I'm sure you have the gift. I have never been to Swanage but I got there today.

My family and another stayed in Old Harry's Cottage, Worth Matravers, a few years ago. It was absolute bliss. We went out in two separate families during the day and then swapped notes in the evenings. Husbands were allowed to go to the pub when the kids were in bed. We wives shared a bottle of wine and read our way round the cottage - fantastic selection of books. We did Corfe Castle, lulworth cove, Wareham toy museum, Poole Aquarium and Pennywell farm. Absolutely brilliant! nell

Rose, it sounds wonderful, So pleased you had a good day. The weather really has been bright today, hasn't it? and all I did with it was the washing, and made marmalade. Suex

And to think I'm lucky enough to live a couple of miles away from this great scenary :-)

rose that will be wonderful to meet up. i will definately let yopu know when we are in dorset. oooh getting all excited now lol susie

Rose that was wonderful, we often holidayed at Holton Heath just up the road from Wareham. Love the area.

Rose, thank you for that, we used to go to swanage when I was a child from hampshire - Dad had a car from 1947, and i have always liked the area. Don't get back there much now but we are looking forward to a week in west Bay in May. a sneaky way to get back to my roots!!! Gt Gt Grandparents came from Dorset. Ann Glos

Hello Veronica. I am eaten up with jealousy today! Here I am in the centre of London, traffic roaring, noisy people, hot dog stands, cranky bus conductors, and I listen to Rose and you and your world sounds so beautiful. Please keep writing so I can imagine I am there! xxx

rose that was lovely and brought back memories of a lovely place we visited, mum and dad wanted to retire there, and it has a special place in our hearts, mums name was rose too and im sure she was reading that descriptive trip you provided, by my side, thanks rose and hope you had a lovely day did you bring any wine from that little shop in lulworth home with you,

Thank you Veronica. I can sleep well tonight, with the swish of the sea in my ears. I am selling up home and moving in with you. Nite nite. xxx

Hi there, I live in the Purbecks near to corfe castle and lulworth, wouldn t want to live anywhere else, Penny

Hello Rose, Well I was certainly 'ramblin' alongside you today. Yeh, had to wrap my woolly scarf round my neck another time when we got out of the car, that wind was fair nippy. Thank you so much for that outin. I'll come along you again sometime. Love and hugs Norah

I really enjoyed your description of your trip to Swanage. We live in Australia now, but when we lived in England, we always went to Swanage for our holidays and stayed in a hotel right on the sea front. I can't remember the name of it now, but we always had a lovely time there. It brought back plenty of happy memories. Thanks again. Best wishes from Sylvia Whalley.

I really enjoyed your description of your trip to Swanage. We live in Australia now, but when we lived in England, we always went to Swanage for our holidays and stayed in a hotel right on the sea front. I can't remember the name of it now, but we always had a lovely time there. It brought back plenty of happy memories. Thanks again. Best wishes from Sylvia Whalley.

Thanks everyone-I was amazed that you all enjoyed my outing so much.I am glad so many of you love our beautiful Dorest. Veronica I have been to all the lovely places you mentioned in your reply.I am a great wanderer around the back roads and walk for miles through the Wareham forest.Miss my old dogs dreadfully,they went on their way a few years back now. You ask if I write.Until Mum needed full time care I used to write for the county magazine,and one or two gardening columns.I must see if I can get back to it.I used to love it. Thank you everyone,I was thrilled by your responce.Could those of you who are in the area get to somewhere local for A MEET.I kmow that Twizz would like to.Perhaps we could do it BEFORE the Tourists get down for Summer.-Rose

Hi Rose I've got many happy memories of holidays with my parents at Swanage. I remember going to Tilly Whim Caves, the Blue Pool, Corfe Castle, Studland Bay and all the little shops and cafes in Swanage, and there was a big globe on the seafront somewhere. My grandad always used to come down by train for the day and I remember meeting him at Wareham station. They were happy days - thanks for reminding me - I must go back again later this year. Carolyn