It's been a long winter. We always find them so which is why, for as many years as we can remember, we have packed our cases at the beginning of February and headed for the airport. Most recently Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Vietnam. Singapore, Istanbul and the last one South Africa in 2020. Covid put a stop to a 2021 trip and to be honest if we hadn't gone to South Africa when we did we would never have gone because by the time we came back Covid was on the loose. We've only holidayed in England since and swapped our motorhome set up from our beloved Tandy and Kisbee scooter to a lovely Chausson and a towed Smart Car aka Smart Arse. We had 8 weeks of motorhome holiday in 2021 all in England which ... read more

Wonderful day today, our last before we leave for home tomorrow so even better that the weather so kindly rewarded us with another absolutely perfect blue sky day. We decided to drive round the country roads to see where they took us. Past quite a few stone quarries which produce the lovely golden Purbeck stone from which many of the houses in the area are built. Then we came to Worth Matravers, a stone village with a duck pond, a little village tearoom, thatched cottages and an obviously very popular pub.. We carried on along the road from there until we came to Renscombe carpark which was where the road stopped. We asked advice about the route to Chapman's Pool but were told the road to it was Really steep, even steeper probably than Durdle Door ... read more

A stunning day of blue sky, sea and wonderful scenic coastline. We were woken by the Swanage Steam train going past our windscreen while we were still in bed. Didn't wave as we hadn't shut the front blind and didn't want anyone looking in ! Headed west from the campsite first of all to Lulworth Cove. The route there took us past quite a large area of Army shooting ranges and we were warned of sudden Gunfire and not to venture into the flagged zones. We had heard some strange booming noises from the campsite the day before so concluded that it was indeed gunfire and we heard quite a lot again today when we were out and about. Lulworth Cove is beautiful. It is also extremely busy, the enormous carpark was pretty full. We tried ... read more

Today we had booked for a ride on the IOW Steam Train. As a special treat I had booked for 1st Class which proved to be brilliant as we got the compartment to ourselves. Arrived nicely in time for our 11.40 triip from Havenstreet and the train went to Smallbrook, back again through Havenstreet then on to Wootton and back. This involves the engine moving from back to front at each end as the train is a pull me only. Loved our compartment complete with antimacassars, very comfy seats and the refinement expected in first class ! Spent my journey with my head and camera out of the window as I always do on train trips just pulling my head in every now and then when we went under bridges as didn't want to watch it ... read more

We are being so very lucky with the weather. Lovely today and more blue sky as the day went on but not the intense heat of last week so really very pleasant. We headed straight for Osborne House in East Cowes. This is English Heritage and I had prebooked and used a discount code given me by next motorhome along.. with a 2 for one offer. Worked beautifully and very definitely cheap at half the price. An absolutely beautiful visit in every way. The house, both interior and exterior is a delight to the eyes. The rooms are wonderfully decorated, as befits a Queen's residence with fantastically ornate ceilings and paintings and exquisite ornaments and furniture. Throughout the house there are nude statues, it seems Albert was very fond of those. Outside the gardens of the ... read more