It’s time for the Pharts to move on, destination Portsmouth.Sue has some old University friends who live on the way, so we call and say hi. Then on to Portsmouth, or “Pompey” as the locals call it. Our accommodation is at the Ship Leopard Boutique Hotel. The location is near the Gunwharf Quays, a large development with shops, restaurants and residential. The hotel is dated and tired, but fine for a night.
The evening is cold and wet, but we walk into the Quays, have a drink at a bar then dinner at the “Giggling Squid”, a lively Thai restaurant. Great food, but the oldies order too much.
After a not great sleep in a too hot room, and an average breakfast, we head off for a walk around the waterfront area. A windy morning and a bracing walk. Time then to pack up the car and drive to Swanage, on the Dorset coast near Bournemouth.
On the way, Sue has another old Uni friend to see, Carolyn and her husband Mike. They live at Barton on Sea, and kindly invite us for lunch. Great catching up with them, then it is on to Swanage and Tim and Sharon. Tim is an old school and Uni friend of Sue’s, and they have been to New Zealand a couple of times. Great to see them and spending two days in their company. Lots of walking in the local area, plus talking and catching up.
The next day is more walking and exploring around the Swanage and the isle of Purbeck area. Stunning scenery, and great fun and company with Tim and Sharon.
After two most enjoyable days, it’s time to leave Swanage and motor to Chard. A couple of spectacular Dorset stops on the way. Firstly, Lulworth Cove, noted for its unique geology and land forms. We continued on to Abbotsbury, a quaint little village on the Jurassic Coast. An excellent lunch set us up perfectly for the final push to Chard.
