Spit

I was up early - it must be the excitement of my birthday! I had a coffee while reading the news and then Diane came in and we settled down to open my cards and presents. I have been a very lucky boy! 

We went down to breakfast. Again, we loaded up for the day and as we were finishing, the staff brought me a Happy Birthday plate. I sent a picture of this to Ellie who thought it was funny. Once we were back in our room, I had a chat with Ellie (and Zoe) on the phone before we met up with Jane and Trevor in reception for today's adventure.

We drove the 2 miles to Hengistbury Head and put on our collective walking boots. It was mild, and the waves were thundering against the beach. The sun, however, was struggling to break through and it was certainly a lot brighter than the last couple of days. We made our way up to the top of the Hengistbury Head where we were afforded a fabulous view back along the beach towards Southbourne and Boscombe.

As we walked it brightened up more, and eventually the sun broke through. At the end of the headland, we could look down across Mudeford Spit.

We wandered down the side of the hill and onto the spit. The sand was fine and soft and walking was hard going, but we turned onto the roadway that runs along the inside of the spit. This was a lot easier and it took us along to a small cafe where we stopped for a coffee.

After a comfort break, we headed back along the low-level path which led back to the car park (via the Visitor's Centre). We had been out for more than a couple of hours and it had been a super walk. The car park, was very full by the time we left, and people were still driving in to try and find spaces. We took a bit of a detour on the way back. We cut down along the overcliff through Southbourne and on towards Boscombe. I was just being inquisitive - there was no deep philosophical reason for the detour.

Back at the hotel, the sun was beating down and it seemed silly to sit inside. We grabbed a table and some sofas and sat by the river with a drink and a snack. It was glorious out there, but we did feel that we needed to move on and have another walk.

So it was that we dropped down onto the river path and walked back towards the old mill and the Priory. There were lots of walkers, and families making the most of the sunshine. We wove our way between them and walked the reverse route of that we took on Thursday.

As we walked past the Priory, Diane caught her toe in a pothole, made almost invisible by our sunglasses. She tripped and fell, but fortunately ended up in a flower bed rather than the path. Even though it was a softer landing, she has still ended up with some bruising. 

We moved on from this gravitational anomaly, and looped past the old castle keep and  back along the Convent Walk. Eventually, we found our way back to the hotel.

We had some quiet time in our room during which Kim called to wish me a happy birthday. We then went down to meet with Jane and Trevor in the bar before going through to dinner. The restaurant was very busy this evening and quite noisy. When Ellie phoned, it was impossible to hear her, even when I went to walk outside. It was nice that she called.

It has been a very special day, for which I am deeply grateful.

Matter of Trust

We may be on holiday, but my body clock is having none of it. I was wide awake soon after 6:00 and up by 6:30. Fortunately, our suite is large enough that I could go and shower in the second bathroom (furthest from our room) and thus, not disturb Diane. 

Showered and dressed, I raided the Nespresso for a coffee and settled down with the overnight news. It was some time before Di stirred and came seeking a cup of tea.

It was a grey start, but a lot brighter than yesterday. More to the point it wasn't raining (yet)!

We met Jane and Trevor in the restaurant for breakfast. We had been warned that it tends to fill up by 09:00, so arrived at 08:45. This worked perfectly. With more teas and coffees, and our selection from the breakfast menu, we were set for the day.

We had agreed to head across to Wimborne and visit Kingston Lacy. Diane and I had visited many years ago but had no clear recollection of the place. It was only a 45-minute drive from the hotel, with Trevor acting as the pilot (he really must get a proper uniform and cap, but we'll let that go for today).

As we arrived, Ellie called for a chat with Nana (and Grandpa) and asked us to send some photos. This was more easily said than done as there was almost no phone signal or WiFi around the property. We started the visit traditionally with a raid on the tea rooms for a morning coffee. Then we moved on into the house.

The house had been built for the Bankes family who had become prominent in the time of King Charles I. They originally lived at Corfe Castle, but after the siege during the Civil War, and the restoration of the monarchy, they built Kingston Lacy.

It went through several modifications and upgrades over the centuries and was finally given to the National Trust in 1981 on the death of the last Bankes who lived there. It was in a fairly poor state, but the treasures it housed included artworks by Titian, Rembrandt, Breugel, and many other famous artists. The donation came with the caveat that the whole collection had to remain (and thus could not be sold off for death duties or taxation).

We must have spent a couple of hours or more in the house. It really was a joy to visit. We stopped back in the tea rooms for a cream tea before heading back through the rain and murk to the hotel.

We had a quiet end to the afternoon and planned to meet up in the bar before dinner. 

Away the Lads

There was no reason to get up too early. It was wet and miserable and the forecast implied little change. We needed to get going but were not in any rush. We had some breakfast and I loaded the car. Then, just before 10:00, we set off towards Christchurch. 

The journey was slow, partly because of the weather, but mainly because of the roadworks along the M27. Nevertheless, we pulled into the car park at the hotel before 11:30. Our room was not ready - but we hadn't really expected it to be. We settled down in the lounge and had some coffee while watching the world spin by and the locals enjoy their morning get-together. There was a break in the rain, so I went to the car to get the luggage. As I walked out of the hotel, Jane and Trevor arrived. We all settled back down for some drinks and then some lunch.

Eventually, the rooms were available and we went up to our suite. We were surprised it has a spare bedroom, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a lounge dining room. It looks out over the River Stour and the Christchurch Marina. I must say, it is a splendid suite (even if the bed looks a bit small compared with ours).

Mid-afternoon the rain had almost stopped again, so we went out for a walk. We headed east along the river, passing an old mill and walking alongside a stream towards the town centre. We then looped back down towards the Priory.

I was surprised by the size of the Priory as we walked around the outside (we'll save the inside for another day). This photo had to be taken using the "panorama" setting on the camera to get the whole view).

When we arrived back at the hotel, the lounge was a bit noisy and busy so we invited Jane and Trevor up to our room for a cup of tea. It was the ideal end to the afternoon as it was quiet and relaxed.

We plan to meet up for a drink before dinner.