Garry McGivern’s Dorset bicycle ride, Tuesday 30th-June-2015 Brockenhurst to Wareham. 49 miles. After packing up this morning, I left Holland’s Wood and headed towards Christchurch, rejoining the National Cycle Network again. I decided that after enjoying yesterday so much following the cycle routes, I’d do it again today.
From Brockenhurst, I took the main road, the cycle route went off-road, and that’s just hard going. But once I arrived in Somerford, I rejoined the cycle route. I followed the route to Mudeford Quay, where I had to catch another ferry across to Hengistbury Head. That was very busy with tourists and a bit awkward to get my bike on. Once on Hengistbury Head, it’s a traffic-free ride along the prom, all the way to Poole.
After Poole, I headed off to Corfe Castle, taking another ferry from Poole to Studland. That’s my fifth ferry in two days. I wanted to get to Corfe Castle to try out a pub (the Fox Inn) that had been recommended to me by my mate Mick. Unfortunately, it was too early to be open when I arrived, but it didn’t matter. The place had closed down, with a note on the window thanking customers for their support over the years. It may have closed down due to the landlord, who by all accounts was a bit of a character and quite rude to everybody. That was my reason for visiting. I always like a fellow misery! Such a shame that we are losing so many pubs.
Not That Way
I had intended to camp at Corfe Castle, but there didn’t seem much point with the pub shut. So I decided to head to Lulworth Cove and visit Durdle Door instead. That didn’t work out too well either. The route I chose to take crossed a military firing range. But after slogging up some ridiculously steep hill, the firing range was in use, and the road was closed!
After finding my route blocked, I found another road to follow and found myself near Wareham, where Julie and I had camped a couple of weeks ago. So I decided to stop the night back at the campsite in Wareham. I’m not too sure what I’m going to do tomorrow now. I’ll have a few beers tonight and decide.
I’m not sure whether or not the link below will work. It always brings a smile to my face when the ponies visit!
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