Day 60: Saturday 17 May - A Walk To Studland

We took an early morning trip to the supermarket in Swanage to buy food for lunch and a barbeque we were planning to host at Mabel for Sue and Richard in the evening.

Being the inquisitive type Richard had learnt last night from some of the Vespa scooter riders at Ulwell that they were setting off at 9:30 to ride to Weymouth. Richard was keen to be there to see them off and I wasn’t disappointed to be able to meet him and Sue at a lay-by near the camping ground where the scooters had congregated prior to departure.

Approximately 30 scooters were lined up while their owners congregated in groups. The scooters made for a very impressive sight, some were clearly restored older models, some needed some t.l.c and others were new. There were small and large frames and, probably, the whole gamut of models was represented. Richard and I spoke to some of the owners, most of whom were reliving their youths now that their families had grown up. We learnt that one of the drivers was in his 80s and most were past middle age. Approximately 60% transported their scooters to rallies in vans or on trailers while the remainder rode. The whole thing was very well organised with morning and afternoon tea and a lunch stop arranged. That evening a bus was laid on to take them all from the camp site to a dinner at a restaurant in Swanage.

Vespas Gathering In Camping Ground Early Morning

 

80 Year Old Vespa Rider

The guy we were talking to had to break off for a briefing from ‘The Ayatollah’ which apparently made the Ayaytollah feel good, but wasn’t of much use to the riders. The briefing lasted nearly 10 minutes after which they set off noisily heading for Weymouth. The rear was made up by a van with flashing amber lights and marked ‘Rally Support’.

Off To The Briefing

Vespas Wait While Riders Are Briefed

Off To Weymouth They Go

It was a great day, the sun was shining and it was warm. We agreed we should all walk to Studland where Sue and Richard had a beach hut and spend the afternoon there. To facilitate that Richard drove his car to Studland with me following in Smarty. He parked his car there and I drove him back to Ulwell. That would enable us to walk to Swanage and drive back.

It was a very pleasant walk climbing the hill above our camp site before climbing to the ridgeline that gave us views south over Swanage and north to Poole and Bournemouth. On the ridge we had the option of taking the direct route down into Studland or to detour via Old Harry’s Rocks – a series of chalk stacks on the headland west of Swanage bay. We chose the latter and 4 miles and 2 hours after setting off we arrived at Studland ready for our picnic lunch in the beach hut.

Our Camping Ground - Mabel 2nd From Left With Awning Out

Rest Stop

Old Harry

Nearing The End Of Our Walk - Studland Beach In Foreground

Getting to the hut was a bit of a mission as the spring storms had washed an upturned dinghy up to the foot of the steps leading up to the hut and then partially buried the dinghy in shingle. To get to the steps it was necessary to clamber over the dinghy.

Sue and Richard's Beach Hut (Brown dinghy is blocking the access to the steps)

Studland Beach From Beach Hut

We spent a very pleasant afternoon on the hut’s verandah reading and watching boats come and go from the bay. Sue believes they come from Poole, moor in the bay to enable the occupants can visit the Bankes Arms located just behind the beach. Jane and I had both brought our togs, Jane even changed into hers but that was the closest she got to a swim.

Studland Beach

Studland Navy

Late afternoon Richard dropped Jane and I off at Ulwell. He and Sue returned after visiting their caravan to change. The FA Cup final between Hull and Arsenal was being played at Wembley and Richard suggested that he and I should visit the Globe pub on the outskirts of Swanage for a pint and to watch the second half. That was a great idea.

Our timing was perfect, the second half was just kicking off as we ordered our pints. Hull, the underdogs were 2-0 up after 10 minutes of the first half. There weren’t many people in the pub, but a group of women made up in noise levels what was lacking in numbers. One was particularly offensive shouting inanities and swearing. She and her friends obviously thought she was entertaining and funny, Richard and I didn’t.  The fact she and her friends were tolerated by the landlord suggested they were locals and he wasn’t too fussed if casual visitors didn’t return. In fact, the landlord seemed to have a casual attitude to his business in general – a couple came in, ordered food and then took the only table available under the dart board. Much to our surprise the darts players just continued with their game and the landlord said nothing.

During a respite from the noise generated by the females while they were outside having a smoke, I had a chat with a man wearing a hat that made Jane’s flowery creation look plain. His name was Dave and he had a different hat for each season, the Christmas version came with fairy lights apparently. Dave was a wood carver and drinking from an elm tankard he had made. We talked for a while about his carvings. I said my wife would appreciate a photograph of him and his hat, he readily agreed to pose and gave me a heart he had carved to pass on to Jane.

Dave And His Hat (apologies for the quality of the photo taken on my iPhone)

Arsenal’s patience allowed them to level the scores at full time meaning there would be 30 minutes of extra time. Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay as I needed to get back and cook the barbeque. Richard listened to the match on his car radio and by the time I had finished preparing our meal of sausages, chicken kebabs, new potatoes, peppers and salad we knew Arsenal had won 3-2.  As last night while we were able to eat outside, the temperature dropped quickly and we had to retreat into Mabel after eating.