So you’ll remember a recent posting where I mentioned that our plans to head up to the NW last weekend for my nephew’s wedding, had been scuppered by the covid lockdown restrictions. I’m delighted to say the event went ahead (albeit restricted to fewer than 15 in attendance) and despite shocking weather, they had a blast. I’m so pleased for them. As Carol had taken a day’s leave to allow us to make a long weekend of the event we decided to have a break away to ourselves. Turning our focus away from the Fylde coast we actually found an area of the country not currently under Tier 17 armed guard lockdown – the Jurassic coast – and headed here…
Woo hoo! Before reaching this amazing coastline however we decided on the spur of the moment to head off early and make a stop in beautiful Salisbury. It’s one of those places that you tend to pass on the way to somewhere else and I’ve long wanted to see it. We weren’t disappointed. We got there late afternoon and had a brilliant walk around the stunning cathedral. It has the tallest spire in the country and, whilst I wouldn’t call it beautiful, it is awesome…
There’s a super collection of contemporary art installations nestled in the grounds and there are some very pretty residential closes with just perfect looking Georgian houses peppering the immediate surrounding area. And the surprising thing? Hardly anybody was there. Apart from a few school kids we had the place (and I mean the town) virtually to ourselves. We also had a top meal later in Wagamama and yet again the place was far from busy. I think it’s going to take years for the country to get over this coronavirus thing. It’s just destroying our normal way of life. That vaccine can’t come soon enough.
The following day we headed to Dorset and its amazing coastline. Now you probably know that this area of cliffs and rocky outcrops is famous for its fossilised remains of prehistoric creatures. The picture above is of the stunning Durdle Door feature and I’ve always thought that it kind of resembles a dinosaur taking a drink. We actually stayed at a hotel just the other side of that ridge, overlooking Lulworth Cove which is just lovely. Check out these views and rock formations…
Even though the weather was blustery we had some super walks and for a while we seemed a million miles away from covid issues. But they’re never far away are they? After a nice fresh fish and chip supper in one of Lulworth’s top restaurants I awoke the next morning with sore throat, head cold and achiness. Oh lord. Carol and I had had flu jabs a few days earlier and I was pretty sure it was nothing more than a cold or slight flu. We were planning on staying a day longer but decided to check out early and head home, just in case. If truth be told we were quite disappointed in the hotel we’d booked (or at least the condition of the tiny pool room bedroom we’d chosen) and as we’d seen everything locally, I wasn’t unhappy to head home. And the hotel refunded us straight away which was decent of them.
So here we are 4 days later and I’m feeling ok. Slight head cold but that’s all. I think!
But what a really nice break, just the two of us for a change.
pp
Pasta Paulie 
