THE PURBECK BREEZER

On Tuesday we had some good, old-fashioned fun and travelled from Sandbanks to Swanage on the open top bus called Purbeck Breezer Route 50.

The journey takes you over the ferry from Sandbanks (you stay on the bus) to Studland.  The ferry ride is great fun!  Always lots of boats to look at going back and forth as it's the only entrance/exit for the harbour.  The bus zips by the queue of cars waiting for the ferry and has priority boarding.

You then travel on through stunning "Enid Blyton" countryside, with fabulous views from the top of the bus to Old Harry's Rocks, and on to Swanage - where we had a picnic on the beach.

Would definitely recommend a trip.

BROWNSEA ISLAND

Once Emmie saw we had to go on a yellow (her favourite colour) ferry to Brownsea Island we had no choice but to go (we were anyway!).

 

Of course, the highlight of our visit to Brownsea Island was watching the Red Squirrels in the woods as they collected and stored nuts for winter.  They came very close.  Emmie had a fabulous time looking for squirrels (of which we saw several), avoiding the  peacocks and finding the sweet chestnuts the squirrels hadn't found.  She also enjoyed spotting the old chicken running around.

 

 

 

 

We took our own lunch and had a picnic at one of the many beautiful viewpoints.

 

 

We had to drag Emmie away from the visitor centre and all the activities there.

 

 

 

 

Emmie loved it all.  Nature, peace and quiet.  A good walk, great views and a yellow boat to get  there.

 

What's not to like?

Holiday at El Pueblito De Alfaix, Spain

                                           Come on in says Chloe

                                                                      Hello

                                                                     Welcome

Our journey from Murcia Airport to Alfaix took approximately one and a half hours and was a doddle with virtually no other cars on the new motorway which took us almost to our front door - with a toll of only 14.04 Euros to pay.

El Pueblito de Alfaix has been designed to resemble an authentic Andalucian  village and we loved
our Moorish style whitewashed villa.

There was such a relaxed 'rural' feel with it's beautifully landscaped grounds.

We dined in the shade of the terrace

then slipped into the oasis-like pool

 

in desert-hot Almeiria, with impressive views of the Cabrera mountain backdrop.

 

 

 

It was so lovely we just chilled out around the pool by day and then gazed on star-bright skies by night whilst enjoying Phil's wonderful barbeques.

The Clubhouse also has a magnificent swimming pool with a toddler pool which Chloe really enjoyed.

 

Chloe also enjoyed the children's play area

                                              Can you spot her?  And it had a lovely view for Nanna to enjoy..

                                          and also allowed Grandad some peace.

 

Whilst Jamie enjoyed practising standing with the railings.

Crazy golf was also a favourite with Mike and Chloe and Jamie enjoyed watching.  No doubt a future
golfer!

We were just 20 minutes from the sand beaches and Mediterranean at Mojacar.

We also did our shopping in Mojacar at the Mercadona Supermarket.  (Drive down the hill from Mojacar Pueblo to the beach and turn left at the Roundabout, then it  is second on the left).
The Cabre and Sabate Cava is 1.65 euros and the Rioja Comportillo Reserva was 2.50 euros a bottle.  Soooo cheap and soooo good.

Whilst in Mojacar we whiled away a few hours at El Cid beach bar.  (Turn right this time at the  roundabout by the beach and continue along the beach road, going past some pretty uninteresting-looking establishments and various chiringuitos (beach bars) until you come to El Cid.  We arrived at 11 am, parked outside, walked through - booking our table right at the front with lovely views - and hired mattresses for the wooden sunbeds for 4 euros each.  The 3 course set menu for lunch was 10 euros.  See blackboard outside.  The guys were particularly impressed when the beer arrived in iced mugs.

What a wonderful Spanish holiday with the grandchildren.

A Golden Wedding Celebration

Our good friends Sylvia and Ron recently celebrated fifty years of marriage.  A milestone that few couples can achieve.  Spending half a century in love with one person is wonderful.

They celebrated by inviting some close friends to a delicious Italian meal at Rossinis in Wokingham.

John had us guessing.  What pop song was top of the charts 50 years ago.  Clue.  The Beatles.

 
And Julia made the beautiful flower arrangement for the centre of the table.

Afterwards it was back to Ron and Sylvia's beautiful home for coffee and cake, embellished with a golden butterfly.

    
We also presented the Happy Couple with a Golden Wedding Celebration Rose.

   
  We hope it will give years of pleasure.

Congratulations.  What a great day and  we all enjoyed flipping through the original wedding album. 

Wimborne Minister's Famous Model Town

During August we took Emmie and Chloe to explore the miniature model  town at Wimborne Minister.

They peered into the Butchers, the Ironmongers, the Bakery and the Fishmongers....

not forgetting the stunning interior of the Minister Church, where Caroline married Mike, and Chloe and James were Christened.

The historic market town of Wimborne Minister has been re-created exactly as it was during the 1950s and built well over 50 years ago, the magnificent 1/10th scale models are amazing.

You can just see the full size Minister in the distance.

Next was the fantastic working model Railway with Thomas the Tank Engine.

Emmie and Chloe also enjoyed playing in Wendy Street, a designated safe play area for younger visitors  with four Wendy Houses next to a Marquee where you can eat your lunch.  Unfortunately, it
was pouring with rain so I forgot to take a photo!

After lunch there  was a fun family craft workshop, where for a £1 donation, the girls made Dinosaurs.

Then when the sun came out again we enjoyed a game of "golf"!!!

Wimborne itself is delightful, but don't tell everyone - it's a well kept secret!