DavidJames
Registered user
After trading in the GS for a new GSA with all the luggage my wife suggested that we might try going camping 
Shocked was not the word!!! I have always fancied going camping but knew that Maggs was not so keen, so guessed it would never happen. There was one major condition......it must not rain...........kind of difficult with the weather we have been having. I had managed to gather the essentials, either new or second hand, and was ready to go when the weather forecast gave us a clear weekend. The original plan was to head for Cornwall as we enjoyed a weekend there a few years ago and I have some family links down there. Last weekend was our best chance for getting away, but the weather was looking very suspect with showers forecasted Friday and Saturday for the Padstow area. I was really keen to go regardless of the weather and even Maggs was coming round to the idea of comprimising on her conditions. We decided to look at other areas and I had heard about Lulworth but never been and the weather looked slightly better than Cornwall. We made our decision and I started to look for a campiste...................this was much more difficult than I imagined!! I honestly did not think that camping was so popular, I know it was the 1st weekend of the school holidays but I expected to find room for out little tent on a site with 600 pitches - no chance!!! Using http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/ I searched the BH20 postcode and must have called 10 campistes before finding a space here http://www.manorfarmcp.co.uk/.
The ride down was pretty easy on the bike - very glad we weren't in the car!!! We arrived at the campsite at around 5pm and after quickly setting up camp we headed off for a ride around the area. Following our noses around some nice roads we came through Corfe Castle to Swanage where we ate Fish and Chips on the sea front out of the paper
We also took the opportunity to buy some essential survival rations.......2 bottles of wine, eggs, bacon, bread rolls and various items of confectionary. As the sun was beginning to set we headed back to our campsite 
As newbie campers we were quite surprised when everyone else on the campsite seemed dissapear as soon as the sun went down 
we were hoping for some friendly banter with our fellow campers but we were left alone to drink our survival drinks and chat (very quietly) into the night wearing our headtorches. The effect of the essential survival fluids we had drunk ensured a sounds nights sleep (for us anyway!), but we were soon to discover the reason for our neighbours early retirement the previous night.....it is bloody impossible to have a lie-in while camping!!! The combination of the local farm residents, the bright sunshine and the sounds of other campers going about their business encouraged us to rise and begin our day. It was a beautiful morning and a pleasure to be up and about in the fresh air. I made coffee and bacon and egg rolls for our breakfast (much to the envy of those around us - even the caravaners!) before showering and heading out for the day. We took the long way to get to Lulworth Cove from our campsite along some great little roads, enjoying the views of the Dorset countryside. After parking the bike (free of charge) we managed to store both our helmets, jackets and boots in the BMW luggage leaving us free to walk around in shorts and t-shirts. We spent the day wondering around the Cove and then taking the long walk over to Durdle Door, which was really hard work in the heat that we had on Saturday, but entirely worth it for the stunning scenery. By mid-afternoon we headed back to the campsite, again via the long way, to have a rest for a couple of hours and cool down after our long walks. We decided to head to a pub we had seen about a mile from the campsite which could be easily walked on such a lovely summers evening. The food was decidedly average, and the locals somewhat strange, but it was still a very nice evening overall. We had forgotten to bring a torch, and as the lane where the campsite was located was unlit, we decided to head back before sunset. The pub was able to supply us with a bottle if survival juice which stayed nicely chilled until we got back to the tent. On Sunday morning we were again up early (not so bright this time!) and drinking coffee before 8am. The tent was packed up and everything stowed neatly on the bike and we headed home.
Dorset is witout doubt a stunning place and I am amazed that I have never been there before, especially as it is less than 2 hours from Reading. We both really enjoyed the area as well as the whole experience of camping and would love to come back again. Next time we really fancy taking on the kayaking tours around the coastline. The campsite was small and very friendly with all the facilities we needed and would probably go back again (the only downside being the only place nearby is the very average pub). Here are just a few of the many photos I took over the weekend:
Shocked was not the word!!! I have always fancied going camping but knew that Maggs was not so keen, so guessed it would never happen. There was one major condition......it must not rain...........kind of difficult with the weather we have been having. I had managed to gather the essentials, either new or second hand, and was ready to go when the weather forecast gave us a clear weekend. The original plan was to head for Cornwall as we enjoyed a weekend there a few years ago and I have some family links down there. Last weekend was our best chance for getting away, but the weather was looking very suspect with showers forecasted Friday and Saturday for the Padstow area. I was really keen to go regardless of the weather and even Maggs was coming round to the idea of comprimising on her conditions. We decided to look at other areas and I had heard about Lulworth but never been and the weather looked slightly better than Cornwall. We made our decision and I started to look for a campiste...................this was much more difficult than I imagined!! I honestly did not think that camping was so popular, I know it was the 1st weekend of the school holidays but I expected to find room for out little tent on a site with 600 pitches - no chance!!! Using http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/ I searched the BH20 postcode and must have called 10 campistes before finding a space here http://www.manorfarmcp.co.uk/.The ride down was pretty easy on the bike - very glad we weren't in the car!!! We arrived at the campsite at around 5pm and after quickly setting up camp we headed off for a ride around the area. Following our noses around some nice roads we came through Corfe Castle to Swanage where we ate Fish and Chips on the sea front out of the paper
We also took the opportunity to buy some essential survival rations.......2 bottles of wine, eggs, bacon, bread rolls and various items of confectionary. As the sun was beginning to set we headed back to our campsite As newbie campers we were quite surprised when everyone else on the campsite seemed dissapear as soon as the sun went down we were hoping for some friendly banter with our fellow campers but we were left alone to drink our survival drinks and chat (very quietly) into the night wearing our headtorches. The effect of the essential survival fluids we had drunk ensured a sounds nights sleep (for us anyway!), but we were soon to discover the reason for our neighbours early retirement the previous night.....it is bloody impossible to have a lie-in while camping!!! The combination of the local farm residents, the bright sunshine and the sounds of other campers going about their business encouraged us to rise and begin our day. It was a beautiful morning and a pleasure to be up and about in the fresh air. I made coffee and bacon and egg rolls for our breakfast (much to the envy of those around us - even the caravaners!) before showering and heading out for the day. We took the long way to get to Lulworth Cove from our campsite along some great little roads, enjoying the views of the Dorset countryside. After parking the bike (free of charge) we managed to store both our helmets, jackets and boots in the BMW luggage leaving us free to walk around in shorts and t-shirts. We spent the day wondering around the Cove and then taking the long walk over to Durdle Door, which was really hard work in the heat that we had on Saturday, but entirely worth it for the stunning scenery. By mid-afternoon we headed back to the campsite, again via the long way, to have a rest for a couple of hours and cool down after our long walks. We decided to head to a pub we had seen about a mile from the campsite which could be easily walked on such a lovely summers evening. The food was decidedly average, and the locals somewhat strange, but it was still a very nice evening overall. We had forgotten to bring a torch, and as the lane where the campsite was located was unlit, we decided to head back before sunset. The pub was able to supply us with a bottle if survival juice which stayed nicely chilled until we got back to the tent. On Sunday morning we were again up early (not so bright this time!) and drinking coffee before 8am. The tent was packed up and everything stowed neatly on the bike and we headed home.Dorset is witout doubt a stunning place and I am amazed that I have never been there before, especially as it is less than 2 hours from Reading. We both really enjoyed the area as well as the whole experience of camping and would love to come back again. Next time we really fancy taking on the kayaking tours around the coastline. The campsite was small and very friendly with all the facilities we needed and would probably go back again (the only downside being the only place nearby is the very average pub). Here are just a few of the many photos I took over the weekend:
we would walk over to lulworth cove to the cafe overlooking the cove for a panda pop and a packet of crisps
I wish we had tried this sooner because both the recent Irish weekend and the upcoming Skye weekend would have been great to attend.
