Poole, Swanage & Tattooed Kids

Monday 17 June

This morning we breakfasted for the first time at Heath Cottages, and what a joy it was. A varied menu to suit all tastes wonderfully prepared by Sean and attentively served by Denise. This is the only time I will mention breakfast as the quality stayed the same throughout the week. 

After breakfast we decided to visit Poole. The cottages are on a major Dorset bus route so we bought a weekly ticket and mostly left the car in the drive. On arrival in Poole we browsed a few independent shops and headed for the harbour area. The sun came out and lit up our view of Brownsea Island and the surrounding area. Beautiful. We walked by the harbour and found our way into Poole Park which has an adjacent shelled beach. Connie spent some time "borrowing" some shells. 

After taking in the fresh air and tranquility, we leisurely strolled back to the town centre. We lunched on chicken wings in Wetherspoons then returned to the harbour front for more sightseeing. We later caught the bus back to Heath Cottages then, after showering and changing, headed straight back out and caught a bus to Swanage for the evening. We ate in an Italian restaurant in the town then had a delightful evening stroll around Swanage's seafront. As the evening chill arrived we took sanctuary in a comfortable, friendly pub called The Ship Inn in the town, where we relaxed with a few alcoholic beverages. We returned to the bus station for the last bus back to Heath Cottages.

Whilst waiting for the bus, 2 young girls wandered into the station looking rather worse for wear. Both were dressed inappropriately and one had a large tattoo on her back.We tried to guess their age but as one was tattooed I assumed she must have been at least 18 (but didn't look it).  Upon boarding the bus they both requested child fares. They were clearly drunk and dressed like adults but also wanted to be treated as children. Ridiculous. Astonishingly, the driver accepted this and let them on with child fares without requesting any ID. Even more ridiculous.