Corfe Castle, Steam Train & Peveril Point

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Our agenda today included Swanage, via Corfe Castle, via bus and steam train. Again, the weather conditions were warm and sunny. We disembarked from the bus in Corfe Castle then purchased a return ticket on the delightful steam train service to Swanage. On arrival we headed straight to the beach and paddled in the sea whilst walking from one end of the bay to the other. Wonderful.

We enjoyed the inevitable ice cream then returned along the promenade to the small shopping area. Unlike Bournemouth, Weymouth or, to a lesser extent, Poole, Swanage is relatively unspoilt with more independent shops and fewer generic high street names. In early afternoon we stopped off at the Ship Inn again and enjoyed a delicious light lunch. I suggested a walk up to Peveril Point, where we have been on a previous visit to Swanage, to walk off our breakfast and lunch. We reached this most stunning of beauty spots and, unlike the previous time, it was quiet. We sat down on a bench and marveled at the scene before us.  I have written a short poem about this area elsewhere in my blog (see Peveril Point post). The word "tranquility" could have been coined for this moment, so much so that Connie had a short nap. The sound and smells of the sea, together with birdsong and the view of the Dorset coastline made for a quite beguiling experience.

Later, we made our way back to the station for the steam train back to Corfe Castle. As well as the castle ruins, of course, Corfe Castle is also the name of the village in the shadow of the stunning spectacle of the once magnificent castle. We didn't have time to visit the ruins this time so we settled for a quick stroll around the village.  It was now early evening so we ate in the Greyhound pub. The food in here was very agreeable, together with friendly, efficient service. 

We still had an hour before our return bus journey to Heath Cottages so we strolled over to another pub called the Fox Inn.  This is a most unusual establishment. There are no pumps, just 2 spirit optics and beer served from barrels behind the bar. I settled for a pint of foaming ale, whilst Connie settled for a soft drink from under the bar. In the centre of the floor in the main bar area was a large well covered by a glass top.  We headed outside to the beer garden which was long and narrow.  Indeed, it went on and on and on and on!  There was a small army of volunteers helping out with some planting and general garden maintenance whilst we were there so once we reached the far end of the gardens we chatted to some of the workers whilst we supped our drinks.  We later caught the bus back to Heath Cottages.

This had been a particularly enjoyable day.