We arrived around 1pm on Wednesday along with three more of our contingent to a lovely welcome from Fred and Silv, followed by a bit of musical pitches. Some of us had to move to enable us to put up our awnings, due to not being able to use the grass to the side of our pitches. In all 26 vans attended the rally so Fred and Silv were kept busy getting us all organised but they got us all sorted in the end!
South Lytchett Manor is a lovely site well laid out with a small shop, just a short walk away is a small farmyard complex with craft shops, chocolate and old fashioned sweetie shop (which I have to say I spent time and money in) and Dylans Cafe.Fred and Silv hosted a welcome meeting for us all that evening, it was our first rally this year so it was great to see everyone again for a good catch up and to meet the new members and their dogs at their first rally.On Thursday Anthony and I headed off to Poole as did quite a few others. There was a bus stop close to the site entrance which was handy for those without cars.
Our first stop was Poole Harbour and Poole's historic quayside. Along the quayside there are tall ships, fishing vessels and luxury powerboats as well as miles of walking and cycle paths around this natural harbour.We found a nice pub for a spot of lunch and then had a wander around Poole before heading back to base.
The weather was not so good on Friday so we had a quiet day, although the sun came out later and Bertie and I went for a nice walk. Friday evening Fred and Silv had organised an evening meal at Dylans Cafe, a short walk from the site. A very enjoyable evening was had.
Corfe Castle and the Model Village were on the agenda for Saturday. The model village shows what Corfe Castle would have looked like prior to its destruction by Oliver Cromwell’s troops during the English Civil War. There is a tea room at the Castle Visitor Centre and one at the model village which, if visiting again, would be our preferred watering hole. It is set in the pretty garden which is much nicer than the visitor centre. Corfe village itself is well worth a wander round with some very old cottages and houses.
On Sunday we had the usual Coffee Morning and raffle where there was an abundance of prizes. We then went to the local pub St Peter’s Finger which seems a somewhat strange name but written on the wall of the pub by the entrance from the car park is an explanation. According to legend, St Peter caught a fish with a gold coin in its
mouth; a thief is said to have a fish hook on his finger; and the inn was formerly a den of thieves.Lunch was very good and so while Anthony slept it off I went for a bike ride to work it off. Using the cycle lane from directly outside the site I went to Upton Manor and Country Park which is a Grade II* listed Georgian Mansion House set in extensive grounds with cycle/footpaths all around and a botanical Walled Garden.
Monday saw us taking a trip to Swanage which has some interesting old buildings and a Victorian Pier which you can walk along.
For our last night, Fred and Silv had organised a group meal at St Peter’s Finger which most of us attended. This was a great fun night with lots of chatter and laughs.
It was a really great way for us to end our first rally of the year.
Jane & Anthony Steward
South Lytchett Manor is a lovely site well laid out with a small shop, just a short walk away is a small farmyard complex with craft shops, chocolate and old fashioned sweetie shop (which I have to say I spent time and money in) and Dylans Cafe.Fred and Silv hosted a welcome meeting for us all that evening, it was our first rally this year so it was great to see everyone again for a good catch up and to meet the new members and their dogs at their first rally.On Thursday Anthony and I headed off to Poole as did quite a few others. There was a bus stop close to the site entrance which was handy for those without cars.
Our first stop was Poole Harbour and Poole's historic quayside. Along the quayside there are tall ships, fishing vessels and luxury powerboats as well as miles of walking and cycle paths around this natural harbour.We found a nice pub for a spot of lunch and then had a wander around Poole before heading back to base.
The weather was not so good on Friday so we had a quiet day, although the sun came out later and Bertie and I went for a nice walk. Friday evening Fred and Silv had organised an evening meal at Dylans Cafe, a short walk from the site. A very enjoyable evening was had.
Corfe Castle and the Model Village were on the agenda for Saturday. The model village shows what Corfe Castle would have looked like prior to its destruction by Oliver Cromwell’s troops during the English Civil War. There is a tea room at the Castle Visitor Centre and one at the model village which, if visiting again, would be our preferred watering hole. It is set in the pretty garden which is much nicer than the visitor centre. Corfe village itself is well worth a wander round with some very old cottages and houses.
On Sunday we had the usual Coffee Morning and raffle where there was an abundance of prizes. We then went to the local pub St Peter’s Finger which seems a somewhat strange name but written on the wall of the pub by the entrance from the car park is an explanation. According to legend, St Peter caught a fish with a gold coin in its
mouth; a thief is said to have a fish hook on his finger; and the inn was formerly a den of thieves.Lunch was very good and so while Anthony slept it off I went for a bike ride to work it off. Using the cycle lane from directly outside the site I went to Upton Manor and Country Park which is a Grade II* listed Georgian Mansion House set in extensive grounds with cycle/footpaths all around and a botanical Walled Garden.
Monday saw us taking a trip to Swanage which has some interesting old buildings and a Victorian Pier which you can walk along.
For our last night, Fred and Silv had organised a group meal at St Peter’s Finger which most of us attended. This was a great fun night with lots of chatter and laughs.
It was a really great way for us to end our first rally of the year.
Jane & Anthony Steward