Friday 29th April – Monday 2nd May –  Bridport, Dorset

This was our first trip in 2016 after a layoff of a few months .  I had put Roxie on SORN over the winter season as it did seem we were not going to get away at Christmas.  I also managed to get a couple of jobs done on her but not as much as I would have liked.  This trip has shown up a tap leak, window leak and a possibly a bulging door.  Oh well plenty to keep me busy then.  Just two weeks before we were due to go off for this trip Bruce (the farm owner) rang to say that Roxie had to come out of hiding as the peas in the barn were to be moved.  Whilst moved and outside I tried the Tv to find it did not work again! However subsequent changes of locations showed that this was only due to a poor satellite signal.  I did flush the fresh water system and the grey waste tank – quite a time consuming job but pleased that it has been done.  Roxie has had a new transfer stuck on her, a reminder of our recent trip to Mallorca.

Friday 29th April

Arrived at the farm at about 2pm and filled Roxie up with fresh water, some food and clothes that I had taken with me.  There is more room here to move around and settle everything into place with no passing traffic on a narrow street and its also undercover. The Boys just love the van and cannot wait to sit on that front passenger seat.  They patiently waited while I did all the jobs. Drove into town and filled up with diesel to save time on the way down.  Kaz arrived home and we spent a little while sorting out her things and the bits that I had forgotten!  When we start going away more often a lot of this sorting out business will be over as there will be less restocking!

I had rung ahead to tell the site that we would be arriving after 7pm which was just as well as the evening traffic in Salisbury was bad and it took quite a time to get out and on our way. We made up a few minutes time as Roxie is such a super motor to drive.  Th weather was really nice and sunny on the way down and views from the A35 west of Dorchester were absolutely superb.  Would love to live by the sea I think.

We were warmly met at reception and directed to our end plot with the sun still shining but gradually losing its strength.  We were very taken with our plot which was just what we wanted – away from the main site and on the edge.  Blocks out, Roxie up high, electrics done and gas on – my jobs were done, apart from the wine.  A quick glass and I was off exploring the enclosed dog walk with The Boys while Kaz did her thing.

The walk has just everything The Boys wanted and they were still quite excited when I returned.  Kaz and I decided we wanted a rather lazy evening so just had some wine and sandwiches whilst we watched the Tv and then off to bed.

Saturday 30th April

When we woke the sun was shining and the birds singing – nothing else – joy!  The rear skylights over the bedroom area give a super view of the sky and we lay watching the clues floating by.

The shower block is at the main building but worth the short walk.  Clean, vey clean and the shower cubicles serviced really hot water – plenty of it.  Both of us enjoyed the reawakening after a cold night. The night had been a lot  colder than we thought it would be so decided to put up the thermal blinds for following nights.  Should really have taken note of the the vans to our right all of which had theres fitted.

Bacon rolls have got got to be the best thing ever for breakfast plus coffee of course and this is what we had.

After breakfast we walked into Bridport following the footpaths across the fields and side roads.  We passed, well actually we didn’t pass, The Pymore Inn, but stopped for a quick drink and sit in the sunny garden.  Must remember to take more photos of places with my iPh

one.  The pub is a little dated but actually long may it continue to be a small local village pub.  Bridport was busy as it was market day but did not stop long just enough time to get some pennies out of the hole in the wall and a quick visit to Waitrose for the bread that we had forgotten to bring.  The Boys are still not totally comfortable around other dogs and we stayed to one side whilst Kaz did the shopping. The walk back was just as nice on a slightly different route passing some really nice old style houses.

 

On the way back we had a pic nic in one of the fields that we had passed through.  The sun was warm and we played spot the cloud shapes, just like silly kids again.  The Boys were really good and just laid down with us.  Whiskey did have a mad five minutes rolling around in the long meadow grass.

We debated whether to have a take away meal from Buzzards, the site bar restaurant ,or try leaving The Boys in the van.  I mentioned this to the people staying in the van next door, Phil and Michelle, and they said that as Buzzards was a must place to try urged us to go saying they would ring us if they did not settle.  Our main course had just arrived when Phil turned up at our table – they had not settled, well actually only W would not settle.  I returned to Roxie and Phil insisted that The Boys join them in their van.  Wow such an offer I could not refuse, actually they went straight  into their van and laid down, no problem – fickle or what!  We had a lovely meal (poached fish for K and Lamb for me) and Phil sent us some photos of The Boys who were relaxed, asleep and annoyingly happy.

We did not stay long in Buzzards but decided that we would definitely return, perhaps have a take away next time.  We picked up The Boys, thanking Phil and Michelle for their huge kindness and had an early night.

Sunday 1 May

After this mornings breakfast we went for a long walk in the other direction from Bridport. This country path follows the very winding river along the valley.  We came across a couple planning a walk for their local pub which they was not far away so we had to try it.  By this time the clouds were overcast and the wind came up.  Because the pub, The Hare and Hounds (Palmers Brewery, Bridport  ) was extremely dog friendly it was full.  The Boys still find this slightly too much for them so we stayed outside while they played with the pub dog.  The landlady insisted that we come inside but we declined – so she came out to see us and the Boys.  You do not get that sort of welcome in many places these days.  if you are in the area then this is must visit pub.

 

The evening light faded and it started to get chilly.  However we tucked into a snack with some wine and read – one of the many pleasures of motor homing for us.

Monday 2nd May

We left at about 11am having done all the usual emptying stuff.

I decided to drive back along the lower coastal road hoping to see more of the sea.  However the mist came in thick and although we travelled the local road B3157  through Abbotsbury and Chickerell we still did not see Chesil Beach.  I thought I knew my way around Weymouth and along the sea front but new roads built for the Olympic games had changed everything.  Sadly we missed all of it and ended up at the far end but on the A353 outside Osmington.

Arrived home mid afternoon and drove up to the farm and sorted out the van for our next trip.

Site

Bingham Grange Touring and Camping Park, Bridport, Dorset DT63TT

This is a fantastic site and is one of the Tranquil Parks Adult Touring Parks group.  We had a plot close to the dog friendly woods which is fully enclosed and totally safe.  it is built around a former Victorian Grange and is an ideal place or touring the Jurassic Coast.  From our site we had a brilliant view and lovely sunsets from the front of the cab.