h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Sorry for the delay – I’ve had MMF’s ‘black dog’ for ages and the report on my Dorset trip has been put back – good job I made notes at the time.

I had an absolutely wonderful time; Bluesue as usual, had made a reservation for me at the hotel – in just the right room – sea view and balcony where I could pollute the atmosphere, without breaking any of the house rules.

Bluesue had an issue with her car on the Sunday, so by the time she arrived; it was too late to actually go anywhere. However, we had a lovely few hours walking around Bournemouth. We walked down to the main pier and then on to a beautiful park; which for the time of the year, was alive with people, all intent on making the most of the decent weather. We looked at the shops (a magical place if you are into shopping; which we weren’t) and then back to the hotel; where we imbibed a small amount of the Scottish amber nectar before Bluesue had to return home. All in all, a lovely afternoon.

Monday morning dawned bright and clear; and I was walking along the cliffs at stupid
O ‘Clock before having an excellent breakfast. As I couldn’t sign in to the caravan site until 4:00pm, I felt particularly privileged when Bluesue invited me round to her home in the morning. I spent a little time on the cliffs at Boscombe and eventually found my way to the right address. Bluesue was out to guide me in and as I entered her home, I was confronted by this MAGNIFICENT black cat – Cpt Edward Teach – (don’t ask!); who was ensconced on his favourite chair in the hall.

I was given coffee and a comfy seat; and within a very few minutes I was being surveyed by HIMSELF! He looked up at me – sized me up – decided that I would perhaps pass muster and then climbed onto my knee, turned around in time honoured fashion and lay down for a snooze. That’s the moment when you know you are really welcome (I already felt welcomed by the human fraternity) but you know that you have really ‘made it big time’ when the cat of the house accepts you!!

Bluesue showed me her photo programme on the PC and explained such a lot I could do, which I hadn’t known about before. We then explored the garden where she had planted fruit trees and had loads of lovely plants in and around the place. We looked at the fox run and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, until it was sadly time to leave and drive to Poole.

On Tuesday we went over to Brownsea Island for the day. A magical place; with loads of red squirrels. However, the little blighters were far too fast for any decent photographs. We did see some of the camera crew, who were filming Autumwatch. The scenery was beautiful and the trip back by ferry took us around all the islands in Poole Harbour. The weather had been really kind for most of the day, so it was a bit of a surprise when we docked, to find ourselves in the middle of a hail storm. Bluesue needed to get home and I wanted to browse around the old town shops, so we parted company until the morrow …

Wednesday morning was an early start day. We went to Arne – a favourite of mine – It was fabulous. Unlike my visit in May when the deer were extremely timid, they were all over the place and constantly underfoot! We managed to get several decent shots of the stags with horns locked; and loads of pics of groups of deer (mostly with a stag in charge)

I will not put any deer pics on Flickr, because Bluesue and I were mostly walking side by side and were often taking similar shots. There were loads of different birds and a million squirrels (unfortunately grey). I actually saw a dartford warbler. (Why Dartford?) we were nowhere near Kent!!

Now! When I was down in May, Bluesue kindly gave me a location map, with all sorts of interesting places to visit. When making notes for this report, I kept putting bits saying (refer to map) - can I find the bl**dy map? Can I h**l. Therefore, although we also visited somewhere else, I can’t be certain that I remember where it was.

I know we went through the village of Corfe and then to Durlston Country Park; where we saw the Tilly Whim Caves and the lighthouse. We walked a little way along the coastal path from where the scenery is spectacular, and then back through a woodland path to the car park.

Thursday we spent a lovely day visiting Blashford Lakes (another of my favourite places) where Bluesue has already mentioned we saw what looked like a poorly chaffinch. We walked around to various hides and got several good shots. Then on to Bolderwood (where Bluesue took the photo of the white stag. The deer here were too far away for any reasonable shots.

We then travelled to the cider farm we visited in May, so that I could take back some more of the amber nectar for SS. I got some reasonable shots of the equipment; which I’ll put up on Flickr when I get a minute (what’s a minute?)

What I did manage to get though was a new ‘friend’ who was almost tame. A visiting fox who let me feed him from about three feet away.

All in all, another wonderful holiday; made so much more interesting having a good friend to share it with.

Thanks again Bluesue!

Living in Exeter, I know Dorset so well. I have a lot of friends there and it's such a beautiful county, certainly enough to rival the luxury I have of the coast on one side and the moors on the other.

Glad you enjoyed your visit Scorp

You may wish to check out (google) the Wessex100 I'm doing second May Bank Holiday. It's right on the Hampshire/Dorset borders - the aim, to complete on foot a defined route of 100 miles in 48 hours or less. It's a good laugh for those not taking part, because they get to watch the rest of us (entrants, aka lunatics) fall to bits.

Hi Scorp


Sorry to hear about your 'black dog' and I hope this holiday has helped to clear the fog a bit


lil xx

I am so pleased you had a good time,i know i did.It makes a difference to have pleasant company to share things with,apart from that it saved me from schlepping around Dorset talking to myself If you are not putting any pics.up here is a link for your friends who don't know where to find me. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sue980/ i made a file 'Scorps Autumn Visit'
I am sorry you are not feeling well,try to think of spring,maybe we can do it all over again. That has probably finished you off! The thought of me dragging you through the mud in the New Forest looking for the white hart,not the pub,the animal I will try to think of some even more interesting things to do next time for now

I've got the wellies and the walking boots, so the mud holds no worries for me.

I shall be putting up some pics; but hopefully not the ones which we more or less duplicated.

On a totally different note (thinking of plum tart) I have been onto

http://www.iwantoneofthose.com

and have ordered a sat-nag for SS - check it out

Sorry you haven't been so hot Scorp. I wondered why you were so quiet. Just thought you were busy.

I am glad you had a good time, it is lovely to escape for a while now and then isn't it?

Please let us know how the SatNag is received, it sounds hilarious

Take care,

Websailor

Hey Scorp,that is great and it sounds just like the patronising plumb tart i am stuck with for real!I shall get one for my son,one Christmas present solved,only another fifty to sort out then

Hi Scorp,
Glad you had a good time away. I hope its helped to get rid of the 'Black Dog Blues'.

Having spoken to Bluesue today, I realised that I had forgotten to mention the phenomenon on our coastal walk. Bear in mind that it is October! We actually saw quite a large number of swifts Shouldn't they have all gone by now?

Scorp, they usually leave us in the Midlands towards the end of August. Perhaps the milder weather made them stay. I must check my records and see when I last saw/heard them.

Hope you are feeler brighter now, roll on Spring

Websailor

Every time i hear about Dorset, it makes me remember my old home town and how life there was full of adventure, with some good memories
One day i will make a return visit.

I've managed to upload a few random pics to Flickr. However, knowing my luck this week the bl**dy link won@t work:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11305258@N08/

The Link worked fine Scorp.You got some lovely pics.That fox was a cheeky thing,almost tame.The Thatched thingy is another shepherds hut,albeit an up-market one,perhaps the shepherd got bored and thatched it,so he did not have to listen to the rain banging away on the tin roof. What do you mean by saying we behaved? you were practically climbing overboard when you saw the navy arrive

Scorp,

I found the link very slow but I accessed it through mine easily. Loved the photos. It looks as if you had a lovely time ....Navy, what Navy? ...where?

Glad you both liked Jack Tar , I mean Frost.

Websailor

I did enjoy the pics Scorp, took me back to my RN days, *sigh*