Poole and Harbour

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 lunch time in the Plymouth Hoy pub. Rosemary had the moules mariniere which had massive mussels. I had tempura prawns and we had a glass of wine. The place was recommended by the skipper - good choice.
We walked back to the bus station the same way, held up again by another train and looked in one or two charity shops, there were lots to choose from. We got back to the hotel by 5:30, another tiring day. A bit disappointed in Poole but it's not an ideal spot on a grey day. It was brighter in Bournemouth and I took a few photos of the hotel garden.

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