Blogs from Dorset, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Portland Castle Portland marked our first port of call on our British Isles Cruise. After departing the ship Renata, Mom and I headed over to the first stop Portland Castle. At the Castle, we enjoyed some stunning sea views from the gun platforms and saw some interesting cannons. The Castle overlooking Portland Harbour in Dorset is one of Henry VIII’s finest coastal forts and was built in the early 1540s to protect against French and Spanish invasions. Four miles from Portland Castle, we took the shuttle bus to Weymouth a contemporary seaside town. Mom headed back to the cruise ship early but Renata and I spent some time exploring the town. We saw the beach (too bad we didn’t bring our bathing suits), tried our first Cornish pastry and explored the various streets. We then proceeded ... read more

Gino was last year's purchase but being an older model her interior left quite a bit to be desired. In fact a friend who viewed the transformation said she realised I'd be much happier. She'd seen my face fall when the motorhome arrived at her house and I'd rushed outside to see in! Dated and faded were two words which sprang to mind. Anyway, not quite a travel story but just wanted to share our befores and afters before we take off on our tour through Italy, Albania and Montenegro. If you've no interest in things motorhome then skip to the next entry, I promise it won't all be about Gino although a few comments or adventures might creep in!... read more

1953 was such an auspicious year. Yes, I know the queen was crowned but two very special people were born. That's us! Graeme is the oldest by a long chalk, well at least 18 days older and as such should know better...He does, he knows most things! He celebrated with a birthday cake at Beppino's Gelateria and a lunch at Soulshine, both delicious and elected to play eighteen holes of golf whilst I got to sit at home and crochet. Absolute bliss; I even managed a few old episodes of Doctor Who! The next day was also a golf day for Graeme, making up for lost time, so I got to travel to Exeter by myself on the bus and the train. The weather was again spectacular and I met up with an old neighbour from ... read more

So our hotel room included breakfast this morning, or we could order off the menu. The breakfast menu as fresh fruit, bread, yogurt, meats and cheeses, croissants, muffins, coffee and tea. It was all excellent Immediately following breakfast we went out walking along the beach and edge of town. Aside from the wind, you couldn’t ask for more perfect weather. This is an interesting seaside town. I imagine it is overrun with visitors in the summer. One section of the beach has pebbles, then you find the sand. If you walk far enough you find stones instead of sand or pebbles. Along all the beaches are little houses that you rent for cabanas. Some people had theirs open and were setting up chairs, or having their morning coffee or tea. We were truly surprised to see ... read more

Durdle door and Bournemouth in winter -Piprey on wheels The English Dorset coast is cold all the year around. English beaches are charming in summers. My cousin was leaving UK. We made a day trip to see Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Bournemouth beach. It was a different beauty in winter. It was 26th March, the last Sunday of March. The clocks were changing by one hour. I hardly caught a wink and was up in the dark at 4 am. The local bus seems to be running in a dark tunnel of rain. Indeed, when I waited at the bus stop, a red, double decker bus splashed water and my sneakers were all wet. The water was cold. At Southall, there were 3 Asian holiday makers waiting at the bus stop. The Star tours coach ... read more