That’s much better - wall to wall sunshine with a temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees all day. Phew, what a scorcher!
The normal big breakfast and a rush to the toilet block before it shuts at 10.30!! I like the caravan club but I’ve always thought this to be a huge own goal - just when most people on holiday are getting up and want to ablute, they’re bloody shut!
The boys are taking it in turn to sleep with their old grandad! Harry got his out the way early and it was Finners last night. Charlie brings up the rear tonight. I don’t take offence at being someone to be avoided to be in bed with! I certainly wouldn’t want to!! Got to say though, Harry was a much less troubled sleeper than Finners.
Off on the short 3 miles trip to Corfe Castle. The first 2 car parks we tried were full - and this was before midday - so i headed for the one we had used before on the outskirts of the village. A short walk in to the castle entrance. The volunteer checking us in wasn’t as generous as some others. With my volunteer card and membership card she still made me pay for Twinnies!
We had a quick romp round the ruins - including a game of Jenga on the bailey. It was blimin hot so we snacked in the shelter of the very thick ruined Norman walls. A visit to the NT shop finished the visit. The volunteer here was much more friendly including a chat about the virtues of Corfe Castle and Canons Ashby.
The next stop was a beach - well it was pushing 30 degrees by now. The plan was to go over the ferry to Sandbanks but I was a little concerned if we’d get in the car park. So, as we were passing Knoll Beach on Studland Bay, I decided to pull in there. 2 reasons … I remembered it being a huge car park and it’s all NT land so free parking!
It was mobbed! When we came here with the family last time if you walked 50 metres you could be away from the crowds. We walk 150 metres and there were still more people than sand! Eventually we squeezed in and settled down. Charlie doesn’t moan about it but it’s clearly not his thing - understandable, why would a nearly 18 year old worrying about his street cred want to be on a beach with his grandad and 2 little brothers!
The twins and I went for a swim. It was gorgeous - although Harry took a lot of persuading to get in! By the time we had dried off the body language of the 3 of them suggested it was time to get off the beach. Bless them, they never actually moan or ask to do something else but it’s not hard to tell when they’ve had enough.
It would have been rude to pass the beach cafe without stopping and having a drink and to share a plate or 2 of chips. Holidaying with these 3 is not conducive to any sort of diet - unless the diet includes obscene amounts of sugar and fat!
The short trip then to the ferry over to Sandbanks. The boys enjoyed the quick ferry ride and really enjoyed driving around Sandbanks looking at the amazing footballers houses on the water.
We parked up at the multi story just by Poole quayside. We had a walk round the block including the shops and quayside. The Twinnies were up for a boat ride but their older brother did block this one so we settled for a drink in one of the many quayside pubs. The Jolly Sailer was not so jolly as by this stage in the holiday the boys were getting tired and the usual fun good tempered banter between them - especially Charlie and Harry - was getting a wee bit more fractious !
Actually, the main reason why we did that was that one of them was desperate for the loo. I gotta say, these boys go to the toilet a lot! As a 66 year old man, I thought I had some urinary challenges but blimey nothing compared to them! If I had a fiver for every time one of the Twinnies has wee’d against one of the car wheels, I’d have enough to buy a round of ice creams!
By this time they were getting hungry. They fancied Italian. We walked along the quayside a bit more and found a restaurant with a few Italian dishes on the menu. We ordered and everyone agreed it was a good choice. As was confirmed by the empty plates! Oriel on the Quay was definitely a success.
A quick go on the trampolines and then a visit to the legendary old fashioned sweet shop - Truly Scrumptious - before heading back to the car.
Straight home for more cards (me and Twinnies) and more showering (Charlie).
Lots of memories of Kim today. She loved Sandbanks / Poole and we did about half a dozen BH weekends down here with the family. Plus we had a nice stay in Brunnehilda just the 2 of us!
Plan to have a nice morning / lunch and then get on the road for home tomorrow afternoon.
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