Just A Couple of Old Dinosaurs - Dorset February 2023
Its the first 'proper' trip of the year, our first choice was to go to Somerset around Brean Downs but the site was full, others were not open so after a rethink we booked the Camping & Caravanning Club site at Charmouth in Dorset, right in the middle of the Jurassic Coast.
The plan was to finish work at 2pm, a quick shower and off but as we know our timings never go to plan, but we did leave by 3pm, first stop fuel which had gone up 2p a litre over night (£151.9)
The trip down the M5 was uneventful until we approached our exit at Taunton where we came across stationary traffic, we were held up for about 15 minute due to an earlier accident. Travelling across country on unfamiliar roads in the dark and raining was a little stressful but arrived at the site at Monkton Wild just after 6.15pm, the reception was closed but a notice in the window told us our pitch number, number 2.
This was literally down the driveway, it was now hammering it down, parked up it was time to get wet, I went in search of the EHU, not on our pitch the first one was fully used the second was miles away, our lead just reached.
Back in the van Adele had already set up and was about to start tea, we sat with a G&T whilst it cooked, being valentines night we were having a date night meal, to start a salmon and prawn mousse followed by beef wellington, a melange of vegetables and potatoes wedges washed down with a nice bottle of red then some raspberry profiteer balls.
We watched a little TV before bed.
Thursday 15th February
Woke at 7am, to the sound of rain, over breakfast, full English of course, we are on holiday after all, the rain stopped with a little blue sky, we are not getting too excited as the forecast is to be wet for a couple of days.
Breakfast finish, all tidied up we went for a little explore around the site, it looks like the Club has recently taken over, the site is clean and tidy with great facilities especially the toilet/shower block looks like something from a 5* hotel rather than a campsite.
We took a drive around the site its so big, took video for our benivanadventures vlog.
Now onto to Charmouth beach, just a few miles down the road, we parked right on the seafront, paid our monies then promptly told that we had to move.
The car park attendant was really nice, something about NO MoHos or camper vans on this carpark but did allow us to move to another with just as good views.
Walking boots on we took a walk up the cliff path and along the cliffs overlooking Charmouth Bay after about half an hour or so Izzy was having no more, she wanted to go back to the van, we dropped her back and took another short walk in the oppersite direction, this beach was less populated but the rocks and stones were harder to walk on so came back.
Kettle on and out with the good biscuits, we sat for a couple of hours people and wave watching.
It was well gone 3pm when our parking time was up, the sea mist was starting to come in together with some rain so decided to return to the site.
Back at site, after a quick tidy up and vacuum it was time for the diary and Adele read her book.
Friday 16th February
Woke 7.30, showers then breakfast. We had planned to be away earlier today but by the time we had used the MoHo service point it was 11am.
The plan today is to travel out to Cerne Abbas to have a look a the naked giant, its not too far away but the traffic was slow so took us almost an hour.
Owned by the National Trust The Cerne Giant is Britains largest and possibly most recognisable chalk hill figure, standing at 180 feet.
Unfortunately for us its not so recognisable when standing at ground level, but from an aerial view its quite impressive.
It was thought to be prehistoric or Roman but the latest tests show it maybe Saxon but its age still not really known.
So we were both a little disappointed as its not as clear as the Westbury White Horse in Wiltshire.
There is a good map showing some walks around Cerne Abbas, we decided to take a wander and I'm glad we did, we followed the village stream which took us to the heart of this lovely Dorset village, we called in at the remains of a Benedictine Abbey, only the Abbey guest house and porch survive today, its well worth a visit and its £2.50 entrance fee. From the Abbey we stopped off at St. Augustines Well a spring which dates to C6th, we then walked down Abbey Street to explore the rest of the lovely village, the Royal Oak pub reputedly built about 1540, one of eighteen inns during the villages brewing heyday in the C17th and C18th, another local coaching inn, the Giant, had its skittle alley used during WW1 asa riffle range.
We continued our wander and found the local school opened in 1843 and is still used as a primary school today.
Time was no pressing so we left Cerne Abbas to visit the seaside town of West Bay, made famous in the TV series Broadchurch, we parked up in the towns main car park and was pleased to see dedicated MoHo parking bays. We paid on the App for a couple of hours and walked towards the harbour, we found the fish mongers selling crayfish and cockles we used many years a go so had to have a taste, a pot of each and £8.00 lighter we walked down to the harbour sat on a bench enjoying our tasty treat over looking the majestic red coloured cliffs. We walked around the bay enjoying a little winter sunshine.
Our couple of hours went by too quickly, we returned to Vera for our return to the campsite.
Back at the site we wrote the diary and read before tea, which considering some of today we have been at the sea we are having paella which feels apt.
After tea and clearing up we watched TV for a while before reading and bed.
Saturday 17th February
Woke at 7.30am, its foggy this morning to the point you cannot see the MoHo next to us, by the time we had returned from the showers to the van it had cleared a little but still very misty.
We breakfasted, full English as usual when away, then made plans for the day, we would drive down to Lyme Regis and assuming we can park, will take a walk around the beach and harbour.
Parking was surprisingly good, there are dedicated parking spaces for MoHos which was brilliant, that is until you check the boards, only for MoHos that are under 6m which makes them campervans.
We took a walk along the sea front into the town, it was very windy, grey and quite cold, Izzy did well walking down 114 steps to the beach then out to the town.
We walked along the sea front to the harbour it was lunchtime now so decided to pop into the Cobb Ams for a quick bite, Adele had fresh crab sandwiches and I the soup of the day, we then finished our walk but Izzy was too tired so I walked back to Vera whilst Adele stayed with Izzy, I dropped out to the harbour to pick them up.
It wasn't quite time to go back to the site so we called into Charmouth once more, this time parking in the correct area, we put the kettle on for a cuppa and a cream scone, we relaxed until the sun started to set before returning to the site for out last night away.
Saturday nights are date nights and being away in the van doesn't stop that, we had hallummi bites with a dip followed by duck and a nice bottle of Loire red.
We tidyed up the watched TV for a bit before retiring for the night.
Sunday 18th February
Woke 7.30am, went for shower when I came back Adele had dressed the van for my birthday, a lovely surprise and a birthday breakfast all ready for me
Last day today of our break today so after breakfast it was time to pack up and empty Veras tanks before leaving for home.
The trip back was uneventful apart from heavy rain at times but no real problems.
We have had a really relaxing break, something we both needed, the weather wasn't exactly good but not bad for this time of year. Our batteries are all recharged and are looking forward to our next trip away on our benivanadventures.
benivanadventures - travels in our campervan
Trip Details:
Miles:
Ave MPG: 32.2
Fuel Cost: £
Car Parking: £
Nights: 9
Camp Fees:
Camp Ave per night: £
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Hope to see you again on our benivanadventures
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