When retired we can have as many holidays as we want/can afford! And they don’t have to be in school holidays, either – Yeah! If one is only a volunteer, we tell the people in charge when we are going and nothing has to be booked as it does if one has a job.
My first holiday this year was with hf holidays to Lulworth Cove. This was a 4 night, 3 day walking holiday and was in one of their new locations. The hotel was not yet up to their normal high standards, which was disappointing, but the walks, leaders and company were good. I chose “easy” walks every day as I am never sure if I can walk the longer distances.
The first day started at Lulworth Cove and we walked across the military ranges, passed the Fossil Forest and back to the hotel via West Lulworth.
The weather was mostly dry with one dribble of rain – not enough to get out a waterproof for. It was quite windy, though, so not all that warm.
The afternoon was to Durdle Door and back – with time for an ice-cream, which is, of course compulsory on a sea-side holiday.
The second day we had a coach to Corfe Castle. As I was on the easy walk there was time to go to the station to see the steam train arrive and leave.
I really liked the pile of old trunks on the station – reminded me of those we used to have at home and how luggage used to be sent in advance in a trunk like these.
We looked at the Castle from the outside, but didn’t have time to look round, but it was a landmark looking back for the first part of the walk.
We then walked on to Studland, by the sea. There were excellent views all day, but again it was windy and quite cold and we had to find a slightly more sheltered place for lunch, rather than their usual stop. As we headed towards Studland we had very good views of Swanage.
The third day took us from the viewpoint of the Cerne Giant and around it so we were walking below it at one stage, but had no idea it was there except that we saw signs saying so!
- Cerne Giant
We had time in Cerne Abbas at the end to have a good look round and also have a cup of tea, while waiting for the other groups to arrive and before going back to the viewpoint to get the coach.
All the walks provided good views, but it no doubt helped that the weather was dry and clear. It was also not too hot, which might have caused a problem as some of the walks were quite exposed. I hadn’t realised that Dorset was so hilly (!) – although I knew the coastal path was – and so attractive.
The final night we had a barbecue and a (sort of) boules competition. It got a bit cold towards the end but good fun anyway.
Would I recommend it? If you like walking, yes, but I would probably wait a year or so to go to Lulworth until they get the hotel sorted out.