We had a great camping trip over the Easter weekend, staying at at Burnbake campsite near Corfe Castle/Swanage in Dorset. The campsite is in an ancient woodland and has been left very natural. There were a few play areas for the children, but these included logs and bridges, ropes and tyre swings, trees to climb, rather than any modern equipment, and there were lots of little nooks and crannies to explore - though we are sure that there are still plenty that we didn't find, which will have to wait until next time.
We decided to wait until the better weather of Saturday, and travelled via the Sandbanks ferry that runs across the entrance to Poole harbour, over to Studland Bay. From there, it was a short scenic drive to the campsite. Tess and Brodie spotted the first play area as we drove in, and so they were straight up there once we had found a nice spot to set up camp. With the lovely weather, the site was pretty full, but we never felt over-crowded. The children loved it and wanted to stay there forever, so we will definitely be going back! They made friends with other children in the site, and really enjoyed themselves.
On Sunday, we took the inevitable trip on the Swanage steam railway, from near Corfe Castle all the way to Swanage. We spent the afternoon on the beach, then travelled back, and had a play in the lovely playground at the train station with some new friends made on the return trip (who turned out to be from Southampton!). On Monday, we intended to pack up and leave late morning, but we found an area where a fallen tree had been turned into a bridge across the stream just behind where we'd camped, and ended up spending another few hours here, crossing the bridge and paddling in the stream.
We then headed for the ferry to ensure that we didn't end up sitting in a queue for hours as all the Easter traffic tried to head home. But the lure of the beach was too much, so we stopped for another couple of hours at Sandbanks beach, on the Poole side of the harbour before heading for home with 2 very tired, sandy people (the children were still pretty fired up!!!).
Our home for the weekend, taking up our usual spot, just next to a babbling brook (behind the campervan/tent) ...
Tess and Brodie wasted no time before commandeering the mallet and starting to hammer all spare pegs into the ground. We had to give up hope on some of them!! Although to be fair, Tess has the peg puller-outer tool, and was harvesting the 'flowers' that Brodie was delicately planting ......
Studying the timetable on the Swanage Express ...
Passing Corfe Castle, seen through the steam of the train (honestly!) ...
... and without the 'atmosphere' ......
And at our destination ......
Found ... one tacky funfair ......
Back to the sand .....
And homeward bound .....
Waving to new friends ....
The very popular tyre swing (all the children seemed to be incredibly polite about using it and taking turns!) ....
and rope swings ....
Our last minute find ..... a tree trunk which had fallen across the stream behind our tent. Small steps had been carved into it, to make walking across a bit easier, and a handrail nailed in place. We could also get down to the stream by here, for some paddling and 'fishing' (luckily nothing live was caught!!!) .....
Another play area ...
One last go on the rope and the tyre.....
Time to leave .....
Queuing for the ferry to Poole ...
Another day, another beach ......
Hmmm, yes, I do like the taste of Daddy's rock bun .....
The speck in the distance is Tess chasing waves ....
Brodie's makeshift pirate flag for his castle ....
These waves are great fun Brodie, you should come and chase them with me ....
Hold on, here I come .....
No way, I'm not going in there, I'll get wet .....
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