Lanhydrock

Lanhydrock

Van-Man was irritated firstly because the waste water was full and started overflowing yet the gauge did not show full. Having emptied the tank he took umbrage at the Change Engine oil message which came up as we set off for Lanhydrock to meet our family. We walked past the house which as usual was splendid but as dogs are not allowed into the formal garden we carried on to the long woodland walk.

Cooling down

This time we carried straight on instead of doing the circular walk we did last time we were here to find the river. The children enjoyed running up to fallen trees and balancing on the tree trunks on the way down the hill. They then led the way searching for the river. This part of the park had few visitors whereas the formal gardens were full of people.

The river was lovely, winding and natural. Lottie had a dip to cool down and we settled down to have lunch. A train passed by on an embankment behind us which made our grandchildren run over towards the track and wave. They don’t see many trains in their part of Cornwall.

After lunch the children played pooh sticks from the wooden foot bridge.

Anyone else going to join me?

One ran over in distress. “I’ve thrown Dino in the water,” she said. We rushed to the river bank expecting to see the stuffed dinosaur swept away but it was caught on undergrowth near the water’s edge. Van-Man and I both agreed that Stu the father should retrieve it being younger, fitter and a longer arm reach. He scrambled down and retrieved Dino.

The cloud cleared making it a lovely afternoon. The children grew tired on the walk back but taking turns at walking the large Lurcher kept them going in the right direction. The younger children just followed Lottie which meant they had a meandering route.

Formal Gardens at Lanhydrock

Having passed the house the children picked up speed to play in the play area. Lottie did not like the noise and bustle so we soon parted company rather than listen to her complain. She lay quietly by the van while we had a hot drink then we headed to a supermarket for diesel and individual pies for the family dinner. This is a treat for them as they normally only have slices from a large pie. Back at our daughters we played a game with the older children, had dinner and left.

We pulled up at the camp site and Van-Man muttered “Oh no!”

“What’s up,” I asked.

“I left the fridge on gas mode,” he said. Fortunately no harm seems to have been done partly because the camp site is not far from our daughters.

Watergate Bay

Watergate Beach from the Coastal Path

Deserted sand

It was cloudy as we lingered over breakfast but that can make for good driving. As we were not in a hurry Van-Man took the coastal route to Exeter. He drove through lovely villages and we saw commanding views. There was a queue to get on the A35 but though busy the traffic moved at around 50 mph. Van-Man turned for Lyme Regis. There were lovely views and interesting driving around Lyme Regis. If I had been driving I would not have taken the scenic route.

Slate cliffs

Empty beach

 We stopped for lunch in a lay-by 5 miles from Exeter. After Lunch I took over driving but I was on the A 30, familiar territory.

Over Bodmin we were in the cloud so it was foggy but it soon cleared as we lost height. I handed control back to Van-Man near Victoria so that he could drive to Treggurran C+CC club site above Watergate Bay. It was a good site with level pitches but we could feel exposed if the wind blows.

Paddle Time

I like Cornwall

I'll climb up here

Queeen of the Castle

We had arranged to meet our daughter at their house for a family meal at 5.30 so after Van-Man’s cuppa we went for a walk. As we were pitched near the exit we had a short walk along the lane to the camp site which had access to a footpath leading to the coast path. We turned and walked down to Watergate Beach which took half an hour. E roamed the almost deserted beach for over half an hour then climbed back up onto the coast path. Lottie had her dinner while we drank tea and then we went to our daughters. It was a tasty meal and we enjoyed seeing the lively grandchildren. When they went to bed we had a good evening catching up with the adult news.

Dancing Ledge

Walking down from Spyway Farm

Almost down

It was a clear sunny day again. Van-Man switched on the engine and was puzzled by a message saying change the engine oil. He grunted, “far too early to do the oil.” He promptly checked the dipstick but the oil level was fine.

But Dancing Ledge is an abseil away

After breakfast we headed for Spyway which was around on the Jurassic coast and walk to Dancing Ledge. After a narrow approach road we found the NT car park at Spyway we left at 10.45 for our walk. It began across fields full of wild flowers. The path then went through a farm where Lottie found an animal water trough where she had a drink as it was already warm. Beyond the farm there were no animals in the fields so Lottie ran free. When we met the coast path we found it was high above Dancing Ledge with a steep descent and a strenuous climb back up. While we were debating what to do Lottie began descending so we shrugged and followed her.The steepness of the hill made our calf muscles ache.

How do I get down there?

 We reached the cliff edge which was protected by a sturdy fence but Dancing Ledge was signposted over a stile onto another steep descent hugging the cliff.

Lottie seemed keen to carry on even though it was hot. I guess she was hoping to cool off in the sea. Thankfully a breeze helped us cope with the heat. We carried on with Lottie on the lead in case there were sudden drops. We reached the lower level then realised there was a further sheer cliff face down to Dancing Ledge. We were close enough to see it but couldn’t reach the water.

Adventurers at play

The Adventure Training Camps had people in wetsuits and helmets climbing down the rock face. Some were in the sea, some were in the cave and some were jumping into the sea from a ledge. They all had buoyancy aids and group leaders had emergency lines to throw if anyone got into difficulties. We wandered around on our level watching the activities and looking at the views and the abundant flowers growing in thick clusters on the rock.

Rocky coastline

that looks fun

We soon grew too hot in the sun as there was no shade and the breeze did not reach this ledge. I had my water bottle but Lottie would soon get thirsty. Reluctantly we set off up the hill to Spyway Farm following a grey haired couple who soon increased the gap back to us. We stopped at the coast path to rest with a daunting climb ahead of us and the older couple soon disappeared over the top.

at the cliff face

starting o go up

I let Van-Man squirt water into Lottie’s mouth and patted water on her back, chest and tummy to cool her down. While we were catching our breath the first group of kids came up from Dancing Ledge and started the climb up. We let them pass and followed them, and managed not to lag too far behind them even though we took several short rests.

The second group started to catch us but we reached the top first. However the children and their adults passed us on the gently sloping fields.

and up through the flowers

hardy beauties

Lottie went back to the trough and had a long drink then plodded back to the van where she laid in the shade letting the breeze cool her down. Van-Man kept her company while I got lunch. Thankfully drawing the blinds before our walk and opening windows and lifting the hatches on our return soon cooled the van down.

While eating his lunch two crows came over to scavenge for crumbs. Lottie sent them away but they came back when she wasn’t looking. She also had her snooze disturbed by two other dogs coming over. Our tired Lurcher woofed ‘go away.’

Corfe rules over the landscape

We decided to go to Knoll Beach but as we had to go via Corfe Castle we took a different winding road. On the summit there was a lay-by with excellent views of Corfe Castle.

We eventually parked at Knoll Beach N T car park which had good facilities including a restaurant, coffee shop N T shop and toilets.

Though hot it was not busy. We set off for a walk along the beach towards Shell Bay noticing a thick belt of dried up seaweed along the length of the beach.

Knoll Beach

Old Harry again

Lottie dipped her feet in the sea but was more interested in the sand dunes. As it was close to high tide the beach was quite narrow so we headed into them with Lottie on the lead because of nesting birds. Lottie soon showed she wanted to return to the van via the dunes and a woodland area. This was the most commercial of the beaches around Studland Bay. We did not take any refreshment but chatted to a NT volunteer who confirmed that the white cliffs we could see in the distance was the Isle of Wight. We could just make out the Needles.

It looked as if the Needles were once part of a landmass linking the Isle if Wight to the mainland as Old Harry rocks were in a direct line with them. The seaweed on the beach we were told was partly to stop the erosion of the sand and was only cleared away once a year.Back at the van Lottie seemed hungry so Van-Man fed her while we enjoyed cold fruit juice from our fridge. We headed back to the campsite for a quiet evening. 

Tomorrow we head to Newquay and the bustle that meeting up with a family with five children provides.

Castle and Shell Beach

View from the Gate House

Bridge over moat

We woke to lovely blue skies. After breakfast we left the campsite at 9.45 so that we could walk to Corfe Castle and look around before it got too busy. Lottie as ever was keen to go for a walk and this time we went straight to the castle as the cows were out of sight. Lottie took several dips in the stream that ran alongside the path near the castle.

King of the Castle

Remains of the Keep with Raven's nest

We reached the Castle at 10.10 with only a couple of people viewing it. It was amazing with an almost complete outer wall apart from where it had crumbled and fallen down the bank due to insufficient foundations.
A lot of the keep was intact and the views were excellent. Lottie enjoyed exploring but waited patiently while Van-Man took photos.

engine reversing before turning

entering the station

While looking around Van-Man heard a steam train and shot off to the outer wall to get a good look. The steam train and coaches slowly left Corfe Castle Station and steamed past the castle to a place where it could turn round. Van-Man watched delightedly and took loads of pictures as it passed us again this time heading towards Swanage.

Raven's Nest

We found the castle’s raven perched in its nest high up on the keep wall. It looked almost as big as a swan’s nest. How do the young ravens cope? One day they get too big for the nest and have to fly for it, with no second attempt if things go wrong. The parents flew gracefully and loved their high position.

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romantic ruins

Trebuchet

Shell beach

On the way out we looked at a trebuchet (giant catapult) of the type used in medieval warfare to throw huge rocks at castles in siege times. There was also a display of various medieval crafts including weaving, wattle and daub construction and ironmongery. We also picked up a leaflet showing a map of the area with NT car parks. Returning via the shortest path we reached the campsite at noon.

Old Harry Rocks

Lurcher bathing with Van Man on lead

After lunch we drove to Studland Bay hoping to be able to park in one of the NT car parks. We headed to Shell Beach, the furthest parking next to the ferry to Sandbanks. There was no height restriction and we found some bays long enough for Sally to fit into so as members has free car parking. Dogs had to be on a lead from May to September but Lottie took the restriction placidly.
The beach was lovely with plenty of shells so it lived up to its name. 

washed up jelly fish

dunes at Shell Beach

Some of the shells were huge, far bigger than we had seen elsewhere.There were also sea urchin shells and some giant jelly fish (12 to 18 inches across) floating in the shallow water.

Behind the beach were sand dunes unlike those found in Cornwall which Lottie was desperate to explore. 

We walked around the headland to Knoll beach in Studland Bay which had wonderful views across the water of Sandbanks, Poole, Bournemouth, and Old Harry Rocks.

within a stone's throw of the sea

Dunes ,sand and sea

Old Harry Rocks from South Beach

We walked back across the dunes delighting Lottie even though she had to remain on the lead due to ground birds nesting. Soon she found a fresh water stream to stand in and drink. We finally returned to Sally after a 2 hour amble.

After relaxing at the van we left at 16.00 to check out South Beach. The access was narrow but the car park was fine. We could choose whether to walk to the Old Harry Rocks or the beach and as we had exercised well the nearby beach won. South beach was small and compact with mooring for boats and a row of beach huts that had long family histories.

After just under an hour we headed back to Corfe Castle, stopping for a few minutes at a view point overlooking the estuary.

Once back Lottie eat her dinner and crashed out in the evening sunshine.

Corfe Castle.

Corfe Castle from near the road

 

Corfe Castle from the farmer's field

While Van-Man walked the dog I transferred the contents of our fridge and toothbrushes to the van. He returned and packed his clothes (Mine had been in the van for days) and most important for Lottie, the dog food.

Lottie cooling off in the brook

We set off in sunshine and had an easy drive to Corfe Castle camping site as all the traffic moved well on the motorways. I took over the driving at Cobham services and stopped at Winchester services where we had lunch. Lottie enjoyed exploring the steep grassy banks after our picnic lunch. After visiting the toilets Van-Man drove along the final roads to Corfe Castle.

C+CC Site was small and on the side of a hill but had cut all the hard standing so that they were level. Van-Man was delighted as this meant no ramps were needed to level up after a day out exploring.

As with all C+CC sites the location was peaceful and friendly. Once we had set the Van up and Van-Man had had a brew Lottie demanded a walk. There was no dog area at the site but a gate led onto a web of public footpaths.

that feels better

We had just left the site when a van alarm sounded.

“That’s Sally,” Van-Man said, and abandoned Lurcher and me to check on his newest love.

He asked our neighbours if it was our van.

“No,” they replied. “The alarm is further away.” H promptly returned to his abandoned hound and wife and continued his walk. The path tilted uphill to begin with then joined a larger track which went left for Knowle Hill or right for Corfe Castle.

Corfe Castle village

“I’m not climbing up there,” Van-Man proclaimed and turned downhill towards Corfe Castle. Soon the track entered a field with cows grazing across the path with their calves.

“I don’t know how the cows will react to Lottie,” Van-Man said while I thought it was uncertain whether Lottie would pass by quietly or incite the cows into action by barking.

He swung onto a footpath around a farmer’s field that led to Corfe Castle village. After stepping over some nettles and avoiding thistles we crossed the road that we had taken to the campsite. Beyond the road the path led across the meadow.  Lottie looked thirsty and trotted ahead as if hoping that she would find water at the bottom of the hill.

Thatched and slate roofed cottages

Fortunately the path crossed a narrow brook where Lottie stepped into the water, had a drink then sat down to cool off in the shallow water. While following this path we had splendid views of the castle up on the hill. From the brook the path cut through the corner of another meadow and emerged in Corfe Castle village. We walked through the pretty village, bought locally made ice creams and passed the entrance to the castle.

village centre

From there we followed the path between the brook and the castle mound. The outer wall tilted towards us at a crazy angle and at one point the stone tumbled down the hill as its foundations were too weak to hold it upright.

Finally we crossed the road and headed to the campsite hoping that the cows had moved on. They hadn’t but walkers coming towards us assured us the cows were fine with dogs.

By the time we reached the cows they were laying on both sides of the track. I walked ahead while Van-Man kept Lottie glued to his knee on a short lead hoping that she wouldn’t bark as her voice is both loud and aggressive.

one last dip on the way back to the camp site

However he had to encourage her to pass the cows. Clearly she knew she was intruding on their territory. The cows watcher her warily but our nervous Lottie didn’t go near the precious young. We were nervous as this spring a herd of cows has charged at and trampled a walker and his dog near our home on the Winnie the Pooh forest. Anyway there were no problems with the herd so we completed our walk without injury. Back at the van Lottie sprawled on the grass while Van-Man wrote this log. They stayed outside until Van-Man felt chilly as the sun went down.

Corfe Castle from the cows field