Swanage beach with buckets and spades

Before setting off on our short trip we'd arranged to meet up with Pip and Mary, who were also camping in Dorset. They go often to a farm site at Langton Matravers, near Swanage, but usually out of season. They suggested meeting at the Clocktower on the promenade near the centre of the town and we all duly arrived right on time at 1pm.

At their suggestion we strolled up the beach so that Mary could have a swim, as nothing keeps her from the water, whilst I can hardly paddle in the British seas these days. But before we left the clocktower I took this classic beach view which also shows our destination just below the sandstone cliffs at the far end of the beach.

After Mary had swum and we'd chatted as we lay about on the sand, it was time for lunch. P and M had very kindly offered to treat us to a crab sandwich to celebrate my birthday two days earlier. It was such a treat as I love that wonderfully distinctive flavour of the sea that crab meat always provides.

We then went back into the town briefly and i managed to go with Pip to the heritage steam railway station which is right in the heart of the town. Out timing was impeccable as within a few minutes of getting onto the platform a lovely old steam engine pulled the train out of the station for the short journey to Norton. So I was able to indulge one of my foibles and it was quite fitting as I remember that exact same engine from my days train spotting when it was a regular on the local freight trains.

We dropped P and M back at their campsite and then went back to Osmington which is about twenty five miles west of Swanage, just outside Weymouth, in a not too different landscape.

Apologies for my lack of commenting these days. I'm having a hard time just getting round to these back blips, let alone being attentive to all other blip mates. Hopefully a better service will resume shortly, but don't put money on it.