Corfe Castle: On route to our accommodation, Corfe Castle, seemed the ideal spot to take a break and also make use of our National Trust Membership. It was an imposing sight, standing high on the hill above us, as we made our way along the narrow lanes towards the car park. As we closed in though, we realised it wasn’t much more than a ruin. There’s a bit of a climb from the car park to the ticket office, but a walk in the fresh air was a bonus after a few hours in the car. With another climb ahead of us to the castle itself, we were able to take a rest & a selfie on a couple of thrones, with the castle as a backdrop.

Peering through the arrow slits on the crumbling ramparts, we came face to face with mountain sheep, resting after their own climb. The higher we rose, the more spectacular the views, being able to see for miles on every side.

Built in the mid 1100’s, not long after the invasion of the Normans in my home town, it is constructed of Purbeck stone, quarried close to the site, with some of its walls being 10ft thick. A fortress built to protect the King. Today you need to use your imagination, with the help of information boards, as you scramble amongst the ruins and artefacts, to visualise how life might have been. There is a lot of restoration going on, but in spite of this, it is a lovely place to visit. Its story is well told and the views are beautiful.

A stroll into the village, with dinner in one of the pubs completed a lovely day.

Tank Museum: Being an ex military man, the hubby had requested we visit the Tank Museum at Bovington. 👏👏 His role during his service, in the REME, was to repair military vehicles. He was likely to spot some vehicles similar to those he’d seen during his career.

The museum is vast, home to around 300 vehicles, used in conflicts since WW1. With 6 large galleries to enjoy, we went on an armoured vehicle tour through the decades. From tanks, to personnel carriers, amphibious vehicles to tracked motorcycles, it had it all. The hubby was in his element. He stood by one machine and I could almost hear his little brain whirring as he traced his fingers along the mechanism, figuring out how it worked.

Exhibits took us into the trenches and air raid shelters. Sounds and smells engulfed us as we wandered through taking our thoughts to the horrors our parents and grandparents might have endured.

The largest exhibit, included vehicles used in more recent warfare with more familiar ones, even to me as a REME wife. There was quite a lot of reminiscing.

After four hours of exploring and remembering, my feet were a little achy, but it is a fantastic, interactive museum and I was going home with one very happy hubby. who that evening, treated me to a lovely dinner and a nice bottle of wine (to share)

Lulworth Cove: One of the most famous places in Dorset is Durdle Door, a natural wonder of the World and promised to be breathtaking. We love a walk, well I do, the hubby, I think just indulges me. A friend had told me the path down to site is fairly steep and having looked on the map, I thought the Coastal Walk from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door was a little flatter, so that’s where we headed.

The Cove is beautiful, smaller than I imagined, but well protected by the hills rising either side. It was so peaceful, the waves gently lapping ashore, licking the sides of the boats moored on the beach.

We climbed one of the hills to get a view from above, and had to fight a couple of instagrammers taking numerous photos, from all angles. As they paused to look at their poses, we leapt in to take our own.

Heading West towards the Door, we noticed the climb to the coastal path, was a lot steeper than we’d anticipated. I think the hubby was swearing at me under his breath! Although it was a very long climb, the man made steps were wide and there was plenty of room to rest, if needed on the way up, without impeding anyone else. We did take a couple of breathers, but it gave us the opportunity to take in the spectacular views.

Once we reached the coastal path, it was as expected, fairly flat, and with the sea breeze in our faces, we enjoyed the walk, exchanging pleasantries with our fellow ramblers. Stone markers guided us along the route, giving helpful information too!!

Reaching the end of the path, Durdle Door was within a short distance. The path was however almost as steep as the ascent at Lulworth, but without the steps. We’d ventured this far, we couldn’t let it defeat us.

The loose stones on the path made it a little precarious at times, but there was no rush so we could slip, slide and walk slowly down. AND WOW it was so worth it. with waves splashing through the Door, gulls squawking overhead, and the grasses rustling as they blew in the wind, it was a dramatic yet peaceful sight. We spent some time drinking in the atmosphere, watching the waves making their way to shore, before scrambling back up the stony path.

Taking a seat at the top for a well earned cuppa, there were different views to take in, enjoyed all the more as we were smug in the knowledge, the trek back to the car was downhill.

A perfect, albeit energetic start to the day.

Portland: The day was still young and the Isle of Portland was our next destination. Home to the famous Portland Bill Lighthouse.The Bill is at the southern end of the Isle and the southernmost point of Dorset.

Built in 1906, the lighthouse replaced two originals that had worked in unison since 1716.

We had planned to climb its winding staircase to the light room, but we’d picked a very busy day and arrived at a similar time to a coach party, so decided to take a stroll along the rocky coastline and view it externally.

Alongside the original lighthouses, the Trinity House Obelisk, was built in 1844, from local Portland stone as an additional warning to ships of the low lying rocks hiding just below the water.

It is an incredibly rocky coastline, with some of the stones built into impressive ‘sculptures’ . Relics of its shipping past are also dotted along the shoreline.

The wind was blowing strong onto the shore, but we spent an hour or so enjoying the scenery and learning about its recent history.

The Isle is also home to Portland Castle, built as an artillery fort by Henry V111. to defend Portland harbour. With an old peoples ticket costing a mere £7, we weren’t expecting to see very much. However we were pleasantly surprised.

Many of the original features, including internal beams and woodwork are intact and have been beautifully restored. The old kitchen is dressed, enabling you to envisage how it may have looked in Tudor times. The bread ovens remain, and spits still stand in the huge fireplace.

The vast gun room, now open to the elements, has a full compliment of guns pointing out of individual ports. It is,  hard to imagine the intense heat, smoke and smells there would have been, under a roof as they defended both land and sea.

We toured the Governor’s Quarters and a games room where soldiers could rest and recuperate. Always time for a bit of dressing up, the uniforms didn’t appear to be very protective. The archers must have been extremely confident in their abilities. 😳

From the top of the parapets were views across to Weymouth harbour and the castles gorgeous gardens, where after a nice stroll in the autumn sun, we sat to enjoy tea and cake.

Always makes a day of exploration complete.

Swanage: The hubby had spotted an advertisement for a car show. He does love wandering around a field, looking at old bangers and military vehicles.

It was a Friday afternoon and the first day of the show, so not all the exhibits had arrived. Even though it looked a bit sparse, they still charged us full price entry!

There was, however a variety of vehicles to enjoy, from old cars and buses, to steam engines. Some remote controlled tanks trundled around alongside the military vehicles, where he spotted a REME badge, bringing back more memories of a former life.

We took a step back to our childhood, with a collection of Chopper bikes. If you know, you know.

These days, wherever we go, we do find ourselves doing a lot of reminiscing and our final experience in Dorset, recommended by our Airbnb host, allowed us to continue on our trip down memory lane.

The Sunset Shuttle, on the Swanage steam railway, tempted us with a relaxing trundle through beautiful scenery to Corfe Castle, where we could alight if we so wished and catch a later return train.

Passing through some gorgeous old fashioned stations, bedecked with flowers in glorious bloom, it was a very pretty view from the window. Corfe Castle still standing proud at the top of the hill as we pulled into the station.

Having visited the castle and village a few days earlier, we opted to stay on the train and head back to Swanage. However the sunset hadn’t read the memo and we didn’t see its beauty until we headed home in the car. 🙄