Monday 4 February 2013

Bournemouth and Budleigh Salterton

We had a good stay in Bournemouth last week – Doug enjoyed his whist convention and we still had plenty of time for a little shopping and sightseeing.

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Earlier in the week we took a trip to Poole (in the rain).  There are few things more bleak and lonely than coastal towns in the rain, but just occasionally something happens which grabs the attention………….

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……….like the local boat building company (sunseeker) premises catching fire and threatening to destroy their newest vessel half way through it’s construction!

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Thankfully the fire brigade got the blaze under control quickly.

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Back in the comfortable surroundings of the hotel we enjoy a drink (or two) with some of the whist players – Doug, Wendy, Ivy and Marion.  Sorry we didn’t manage to get the whole group together for a photo.

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For most of the week we had great weather – dry and sunny but with a strong wind some of the time.  Just across the road from the hotel we had this lovely view of the pier and seafront.  To the right is part of the Russell – Coates Museum.

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The museum is the legacy of Sir Merton and Lady Russell – Coates who were wealthy Bournemouth benefactors in the nineteenth century.  They left their home (a birthday gift from Merton to his wife!) and it’s contents to the nation.  It houses their collection of art, furniture and objet d’art from their world travels and is well worth a visit if you’re ever in Bournemouth. It’s free in the winter months.   

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The main hall of the house, which has many rooms, all of which are open for you to wander round.  It’s one of those places which probably require a second visit in order to see everything.

After our five days in Bournemouth we continued west for a week end in our previous home town of Budleigh Salterton, where we caught up with a few friends.  We had a busy and most enjoyable time and thanks go to Palle for putting us up and for dinner on Saturday evening,  to Howard and Wendy for their hospitality and company on Friday evening and to Marion for lunch and the lovely time we spent with her and Janet.  It was also nice to bump into Jill who is a regular reader of this blog we found out!

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Sunset on Budleigh Salterton seafront.

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Sunset, looking east, on Budleigh seafront.

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