Back to the Island

Before setting off we drove into Weymouth for a walk along the seafront

passing the new poles for the laser lights: not that pretty we thought.

And saw the new attraction: a ride up the pole in the distance for a view over Weymouth.

Then we looked around the harbour,

before setting off for Corfe Castle via the lanes and the Lulworth ranges.

Corfe Castle village centre

Corfe Castle is National Trust so we used our membership to see the castle.

Waited to see a train at the station from the castle

before a cup of tea a cake at the Castle Tea Rooms (most expensive cafe of holiday!)

and time to spot another train

before setting off for Swanage.

and lunch at one of our favourite Chippies

despite the tropical sun shades this is Swanage not Honolulu!

The a quick look at Studland beach with its view of Handfast Point

and over the Studland ferry

through Poole and Bournemouth and back to Portsmouth for the ferry back to Fishbourne and home!

Seaton

One of the reasons for our visit to Cornwall was to visit Seaton where our friends, the Whites (A.K.A FFBs) have recently moved.

We set off early, wary of what Truro might be like at 8am, but we should not have feared. Got to the A30 in 20 minutes or so then it was very easy to get to Seaton in less than another couple of hours, despite Newton Poppleford being shut for sewer works!

Peter, being Peter had a schedule for us. So after tea and chockie biccies we went off on a tour of the local area. So first we saw Seaton Town

Then the seafront looking towards Sidmouth

and towards Lyme Regis

So from Seaton we went west to Beer with its open stream down the High Street

and then up to the car park for this view back to Seaton.

So back in the car and off to Branscombe,

Looking towards Seaton

Looking towards Sidmouth

So on to Sidmouth and through this ford to get to the seafront

Then up to see the view back over Sidmouth towards Seaton

And also Jacobs Ladder down to the beach.

So back to chez White for an excellent but late lunch. The chocolate cake for pud was to die for and we forced down an extra slice each: after all we are on holiday!

Our afternoon schedule was to ride on the Seaton Tramway to Colyton and back with a cup of tea at Colyton. The trams are not full size and the track is a unique 2 and 3/4 foot gauge. It was a squeeze to get on to the open top deck.

Our tram arrives at Seaton

The works at Seaton

Passing a tram of 'senior' coach tour folk

Our outward tram at Colyton

Colyton a well preserved former B.R. Station

We had had a fine sunny day, but at Colyton we had a short sharp shower! As we had taken Peter's advice to wrap up warm we were OK: he had not taken his own advice so got a wet jumper!

Our return tram arrives at Colyton

The river Axe at Seaton from the tram

A bit bracing upstairs!

The trolley pole!

So time for our farewells and off to Weymouth, passing the Seaton harbour at the mouth of the river Axe

and the old bridge over the Axe

Check in at our luxury hotel in Weymouth

in time for a soup and roll at the Michelin starred restaurant!

Then walked off all our excesses of food intake with a stroll along Weymouth seafront and viewed the laser lights we had never seen before. We assumed they were installed for the Olympics.

Falmouth and Gardens day

For our last full day in Cornwall we decided to keep near to Truro as we would be driving a lot on Thursday.

So first of all we set off for Falmouth and looked around the shopping areas and harbour.

Then we drove around the headland for views of the seafront

Then along the seafront passing the Madeira Hotel where we stayed 36 years ago before we moved onto St Ives.

Back in 1977 we thought it was a very posh hotel: somehow it now looks very ordinary!

Then along the coast, passing the beaches at Loe Pool

and Maenporth

on our way to Glendurgan Gardens - another National Trust property!

With its amazing Maze!

We walked through the gardens down to the Helford River estuary and the village of Durgan,

We had had a cup of tea and cookie at Glendurgan but did not fancy their snacky lunch menu so we decided to try Trelissick Gardens where we found a much better cafe. The gardens are also on a much grander scale.

We walked through the gardens down to the river Fal and the King Harry ferry.

It is possible to get a ferry to Trelissick from either Truro or Falmouth - at a price!
(Falmouth to Trelissick return £18.00)

Back through the gardens to see the outside of Trelissick House

Not open to the public now, but will be soon: have to make a return visit, just to see inside that conservatory.