Wareham

Wareham High street

The weekend part of a week away to Purbeck to celebrate my Birthday, ( a trip to the Moon being out of the question) , we are staying at Hunters Moon ( close ) The Caravan Club site in Wareham Forest.

After pitching up we decide to unpack the cycles and ride the 5 miles to Wareham and back fairly flat with some hilly bits.


Wareham is a small country town with a main road, crossed in the centre by a minor road. The church is old with fine stained glass windows. By the river is "The Granary",very popular, has fine food and good for coffee and tea. http://theoldgranarywareham.co.uk/

After the sun has started to go down and gets cooler, (it was very warm, T shirt and shorts at one point). We go off to wander around the new site and a short walk into the forest..

After breakfast of Toast and pate we head for the "Sika Trail", passing the "Silent Woman Inn". 

We walk for a mile or so before finding a suitable place to stop for 11's by the side of "Gruffolo's Pool".

What was supposed to be a 7 mile walk along the "Sika Trail", became a bit samey, a left turn became a right turn and we headed for Wareham instead. 
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/ourwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandDorsetDorsetWoodlandsWarehamForestSikaTrailSikaCycleTrail
Passing the Saxon Church ( St Martin) we are walking along the remains of the Town walls. A bench 30 mins later serves as a lunch stop.


When we return to the High Street a stream of scooters stop the traffic for almost 20 mins as they pass through onroute to Swanage.

Lesley does a bit of shopping before we set off back to the campsite again via the Wareham Forest Way.  

 16 mile bike ride to Arne and shipstal point picnic area.


Boiled egg ( Duck) and toast for breakfast before straddling the saddle to ride to Wareham. The usually busy road now quiet, allowed for a genteel speed, able now to enjoy what is over the hedge.


A short stop to catch are breath by the town bridge before the 5 mile journey to Arne village, the Sun is high above now, without a breeze as we ride down the leafy Arne road.




The distance sped by and it seemed no time at all till we are standing at the view point staring out across Pool harbour to Brownsea Island.


We find a vacant bench with an excellent view to have lunch. Lots of sailing boats are out, entertaining us whilst we refresh.

A view from Shipstall point

The journey back to Wareham is wonderful and soon we are sitting on a bench looking across to The Priory Hotel.Its many guests seated out on the lawn, which sweeps down to the River, enjoying the afternoon sun. " Waiter!"


The rest of the afternoon is spent lounging in our reclining chairs until the sun sinks behind the big hedge , leaving us in shade "who chose this pitch?". The rest of the site lounge on.