Roemin abit

Leaving Jersey on 12:50 flight back to East Midlands. No 15 bus from near the hotel at about 10:30. Nice sunny day again.

It's another glorious morning so we plan to go to St. Aubins for a seafood lunch at the harbour and have a less energetic day. We have been doing averaging 15000 paces a day, more by accident than design. We took the bus and walked around the old harbour area, a traditional drying one devoid of expensive yachts. Then to La Haule Manor, to see how it had changed, very 5 star now, before looking for a seafood restaurant. Unfortunately most were not doing lunch so we had a pub lunch at The Old Courthouse. The private house next door had a Mercedes, Range Rover and Lamborghini in the drive being attended by a mobile valeting service. We had a bar meal in the hotel tonight and kept down to 11000 paces. Home tomorrow!

Started the day with Goji berries, honey, green tea, Shea butter and Kelp; that's just the toiletries, can't wait for breakfast. We went to the east coast today, to Gorey, which has a harbour, pier and is overlooked by a medieval fort. It's just 15 miles to the French coast which was clearly visible in the bright sunshine. We visited Mont Orgueil (Mount Pride) castle which dates from the middle ages and was originally built to defend Jersey from the French. It was updated several times with new technology (ie Gunpowder) until it's role was replaced by the more strategically placed Elizabeth castle we visited yesterday. It is the best preserved medieval castle in Europe, with extensive grounds, lots of steps and excellent views from the top. We had a late lunch in The Dolphin Hotel,  a very traditional restaurant, disappointing starter. Took some photos of the iconic castle from the end of the breakwater and caught the bus back for a Costa coffee just as it was clo...

Elizabeth Castle lies just off shore and can be accessed either by amphibious craft or at low tide by foot. We will take the amphibian to be in time for the 1 o'clock cannon and then walk back on the causeway. It was a lovely day with full sun and light breeze, but not too warm. So we did take the water bus about 11:15, it's just near the Radisson.  Then we wandered up to the parade square to listen to the Jersey Heritage animated talk on the role of the heavily armed fortress and castle through the ages. The very enthusiastic master gunner then collected a group of volunteers (including me!) to march up to the gun emplacement on the lower ramparts to assist in firing the 1 o'clock cannon. It was all very amusing and quite informative. Rosemary took lots of photos of the performance. We had a coffee break before I climbed to the top of castle for more photos, leaving Rosemary half way up as there were a lot of stone steps. We finally walked back along the causeway at ...

After an excellent breakfast, we walked into town centre via the pedestrian way and Liberation square, as far as the fish market. Seafood restaurants were very expensive, too many posh people maybe. I had an ice cream from Hotel Chocolat on the way back to the bus station. We took a bus to St Brelade and on the way we spotted La Haule Manoir where we stayed many years ago. It's now 5 star!  We had a nice fishy meal in a rustic restaurant over looking the deserted beautiful sandy bay. We checked out the tide times for walking to Elizabeth Castle on the way back. We were able to watch the rowing race in the evening from our room. It was over an L shaped course in the bay, seemed very competivive, lots of shouting from coxs . Had a simple light supper in the local Bar and Canteen again.

Today we flew from East Midlands on Flybe Dash turbo prop flight to Jersey for a 5 day break in St Helier. We are staying in the Radisson Blu hotel, on the waterfront, on the 4th floor over looking St. Aubin bay. Rosemary found a deal for a club room with a view and breakfast for less than the price of a standard. (So we shouldn't even be here!). We arrived just after 2:00pm, took the airport bus into town and we were checked in by 3:30. We had a short walk round the marina by the hotel, found a super market for a pint of milk and had a teatime sharing plate of seafood in a local bar /restaurant. It had been a cloudy day but brightened up in time for the sunset. We had an evening stroll down the breakwater and Elizabeth marina before a nightcap in the hotel bar.

Last day in Bournemouth, packed up and collected a few more chocolate samples. Intended to stroll down the west cliff zig zag, but got chatting to a local lady who ended up saying a prayer for Rosemary! We went down the cliff in the lift instead and then walked past Bournemouth pier to Boscombe pier at the end of the east cliff. We just had time for coffee and Dorset apple cake at Boscombe, the local bus and KFC back in Bournemouth. We picked up the case from the hotel and took a taxi to the station for the 2:45 train. We had to change twice, at Coventry and Nuneaton before getting the Narborough train, where Katherine was waiting to give us a lift home at 6:45. The Chocolate Boutique hotel was very convenient and friendly, provided plenty of chocolate and did a great breakfast. We did an average of 11,000 paces per day but Brighton was a better destination.

After another filling breakfast we used our bus passes to travel to Poole for the day. The bus terminal is just beside the old part of Poole which is largely pedestrianised so it was a gentle stroll to the quay. Surprised to be held up by some railway crossing gates as the London to Weymouth and West line cuts straight through the old town! The weather was rather grey, but I had downloaded a 2 for 1 voucher to take a boat trip around Poole harbour, so it was the first thing we did. It was an interesting hour taking in the millionaire mansions of Sandbanks, including Harry Rednaps place, to Brownsea Island the birth place of the Scouts and Guide movement. We were also surprised to hear that the castle on the Island is now owned by the John Lewis partnership and used as a staff holiday destination. Also hidden behind the trees of a nearby Island is a BP oil production site delivering 2m gallons a day to the refinery at Southampton. The trip was just over an hour and took us nicely to lu...

A grey day today so we caught the bus to Christchurch which sits on the River Avon and is a boaty place with marinas and moorings from Mudeford to the edge of town. We walked down to the historic priory area, taking in the ancient ducking stool which was actually used as a punishment rather than a witch detector. We walked down the river, passed a swans nest (containing plastic and six eggs ) and stopped for coffee as there was a little light rain in the air. We had steak bakes at Gregg's before catching the bus back to Bournemouth which was drier and brighter. Rosemary decided we should look around the House of Fraser, which had a tea stop restaurant on the top floor with nice views over the town. We walked just down the road to the Koh Thai restaurant for dinner. The chicken stir fry was no better than my efforts with an M&S kit.