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Sunday 23 October 2016

A Short Visit to Swanage, Dorset

Swanage Visit

This is our second visit to Swanage during the grandsons half term holiday. They happen to be staying there so we made a day trip to see them there. It was a beautiful sunny day and the journey from our own coastal home took just 2 hours including a short stop for fuel.

On arrival it was my task to give the dog a short walk which gave the opportunity to take a few snaps along the way. 

 This old building with its interesting murals is soon to be demolished so I needed to record it now as it may not be there next time.

 lives just behind the building and also owns the eatery located on the opposite side of the road. Apparently he will be replacing this building with apartments of some sort, probably blocking his own sea view?

 The town was quite quiet as it is now out of season and the next national Half Term begins the following week. 
This view is to the east of the main town areas.

 To the west end of the bay is located the small harbour and pier beyond which is the Lifeboat Station, which is currently being rebuilt.

 Closer in the promenade contains some old industrial tracks used by dockside cranes in the past. 
To the rear is a lovely park area leading over the hillside.

 Across the bay the seaside resort of Bournemouth may be seen  in the haze.

 The Swanage Pier, still used by visiting Pleasure Craft for trips to Poole Harbour and along the coast. 
The grandchildren have been joining the local rod fishermen who also gather there.

 From this point I am able to get the whole sweep of Swanage Bay almost to include the cliffs as far as the Old Harry Rock on the right hand headland.

 On the edge of the Park is this open air amphitheatre which is used in the summer months by local thespians to present their offerings.

Along past the harbour, the coastal path continues to the lifeboat station but I turned just here. 

This sheltered corner has been taken over by the local sailing club as their boat park. 

 In the distance I spot the massive Condor Sea Cat Ferry heading out from Poole Harbour to either the Channel Islands or Northern France?

 We are soon on the beach and October or not, our suitably clad grandsons are straight into the sea,

 After some sand digging first maybe?

 Waiting for the surf

 Meanwhile, we make camp in the easy chairs.

 This end of Swanage beach is mostly 'private' to the many beach hut owners. 
Our location is near to the excellent beach side cafe called 'The Cabin' where we will take our light lunch .

 Taking a trip to the Hotel above, up the hundreds of steps, I take the view back to the beach.

From even higher, the roof top terrace of the cafe comes into view.

 The western end of the bay from the Hotel Garden.

On the horizon a Square Rigger comes into view.

 As she turns and drops anchor we can see that she is the Training Ship Lord Nelson.

 The Clouds are starting to build again blocking out the sunshine.

 The tide has also turned giving us a Starboard Side view.

 I spotted the Coastguard Station on the headland and the Lifeboat slipway to the right.

 We are quite close to the end of the beach and the Jurassic Cliffs

 It has started to get cold so everyone is suitably clad in something warm.

 I decided to introduce the grandsons to Fossil Hunting so rock gathering began in earnest.

 Searching in the most unexpected of places.

 With the sun lowering in the west the Isle of Wight, and the Needles Cliffs are just visible at my maximum magnification.

 More Island is available in this shot.

I'm ready for some Rock Smashing, Grandad.

The town end of the beach seems to have been blighted by mountains of dark brown Seaweed. Will the council remove it sometime, I ask myself? 

The sky is darkening heralding a rainy journey home this evening. 

The Tide has receded now exposing plenty of fossil hunting material here. 

 Back on the Harbourside I am taken by the old points in the Crane Tracks and wondering where they eventually terminated.

 Bournemouth comes into view again and the Lord Nelson seems to be miles away.

The beach appears dull and uninviting as the sun begins to set behind the western hills. 

 More Points and the track disappears into the Museum building where apparently a Weighbridge exists.

 One last look a the pier

 Back on the Rocky Beach the boys are trying to smash more rocks. Note the safety goggles .

From here we can just see what is left of the Old Harry Rock which fell into the sea recently. 

 I couldn't resist this one last shot head on of The Lord Nelson 

 More Rock breaking

 Look Grandad! I have split one.

The Tracks continue on around the harbour. 

At the end of our day I spot this piece of local art in the entrance hall of the appartments.

I hope that you enjoyed the photos.

Frank

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