A friend normally does poetry on a Thursday but the people who run the group were away for 3 weeks and the week before their holiday the topic was (I am told!) impossible. We decided we would have some days out while we were free and the weather had a chance of being good.
The first week we went to Bournemouth on the bus and, as usually has been the case when we go there, the weather was wonderful – warm and sunny. We had coffee, strolled along the front, found a seat to sit on then strolled back and (for once) found somewhere nice to have lunch. We then strolled the other way along the front and found another seat to again sit and watch the sea. I had taken a towel with me so we took off our shoes and socks, rolled up our trousers and paddled part of the way back. The sea was warm! We had so nice a day that we stayed longer than we usually do – and then the bus back was very late arriving so that by the time we got to Ringwood the one behind had caught us up and we were told to transfer to that one. Lovely. if tiring, day out.
The second week the weather was very doubtful, so we decided that we would make a start on my friend’s filing instead. Rollo decided to be “helpful” and act as a paperweight! We did make a start but there was a lot more to do…..
The following week we decided it was Langford Lakes, again. The weather was a bit grey, but dry and not cold. There were again lots of Canada geese – in fact far more than last time. We thought they might be gathering for migration.
We did see swans and coots and moorhens and something else which I couldn’t identify
We had lunch there – but remembered the large portion sizes and were careful with our choice so we were not having to leave part of it!
In the afternoon we walked the other way round the lake instead of up the main path and – among other things – saw a butterfly that sat still long enough for me to photograph it. We later identified it as a comma.
Our fourth “expedition” was a trip to Stourhead as my friend had picked up a free pass and I am a National trust member. After the vital coffee at the start, we went to look at the house. Moderately interesting with a nice lunette window in the library and a covetable cabinet in the same room as the Pope’s Cabinet – which apparently had lots of hidden compartments. The one I fancied just had drawers with locks.
Lunch was the next important stop before going to walk round the lake in the gardens. The weather was moderately sunny but there was a bit of a cool breeze when the sun went behind clouds.
We enjoyed our stroll and had a look in the rustic cottage and the Grotto as well as sitting on seats to just enjoy the view before heading home.
So? Well, I don’t do poetry, but we had some good days when my friend was missing it!