POOLE

           

                     The Adventure to Poole

We threw another dart and it hit Poole, UK. So off we go, this time we decided to rent a car.  We had not done this for awhile so I forgot all the fun it was to drive in England. Yes a lot of round-abouts so we did plenty of circles and we could never get right and left sorted out so it was better to point, " go that way".

On our way south we stopped by four iconic neolithic  sites. It still amazes me that Stonehenge is no more that an hour drive from our home. So a quick drive by of Stonehenge.

                                      The highway runs right past it so it is real hard to miss.

Then we went to The Vale of the White Horse.  The area we live in is called the Vale of the White Horse so we thought it was only appropriate to go see it. We hiked up the hill to the top and it was rather hard to see the stylized figure of a horse but you could see all the white chalk carvings in the ground which seems amazing that it has lasted so long. It was built in the stone age.

Gale, Izzy and Jelly by the head of the Vale of the Horse

Then we hiked further up the hill and came to Uffington Castle. This is a circular ditch with mounds surrounding it. It was so windy the dogs were getting blown away.  Not sure why anyone would want to live up there although the view was quite spectacular. 

Uffington Castle

Then it was off to Avebury. This has to be my favorite henge because it has a pub in the middle of it.  The Red Lion. It is also the largest henge in England. 

Enough of the stone age sites time to get to Poole.  We got there just in time for the sunset on the quay, pronounced "key". Both driver and navigator were excited to arrive. Kirk kept saying I thought it was just an hour to get to Poole.  Well it took us a couple hours due to site seeing but also many extra alternative routes were tried out.  On the way home we will stick to the major roads. 

And we found the perfect combination beer for Kirk and decaf latte for Gale at the Poole Arms.  Life could not be better.  Maybe a little warmer and some sunshine but really lets not get pushy, it is England after all.  

We checked into the eclectic Cafe Guest House.  Had a latte served in bed and proceeded to take a nap before dinner. 

Since we were on the coast a boat trip was required. We took off for Swanage on the Solent Scene.  The sun has not come out since we left so there were not many takers for the cruise. 

We arrived in Swanage and walked along the board walk up to the steam train. Not only do we always have to cruise but you also have to see a castle on every trip when in Europe or it just would not be right.  

We took the train to the Corfe Castle. This was first built by William the Conquer and evolved over the years and is surrounded by a midevil town. Lots of old stone works. 

It even had a catapult. 

And lucky us we had to even pay 10 quid for the death march to the top of the castle. 

We hopped back on the train and headed back to Swanage then the boat to Poole. 

Corfe train station

We past the Rocks of Harry. Named after Harry Paye a notorious pirate of the day.

We did get a little sun and was advertised as warmest day of the year so far.  So was best day to be out on the water. 

Poole on the left and the Sandbanks on the right. 

The next challenge we had was to find a tea-towel for my mother. Most tourist areas have tea towels with their names on them and they are not too expensive. But to my dismay there were no tea-towels anywhere to be found. So I was about to give up and I walked into an ice cream shop and asked it she new of any where I could find a tea towel. She said she had one but it was dirty and she really could not sell it to me.  I pleaded with her and she sold it to me for £1.50, what a deal.  I am sending mom a dirty tea towel, she's going to love it;)

You can see the chocolate Dorset ice cream stains! How special!:)