Stanley's pictures: Up Early Again,

Tuesday 8 September 2020

Up Early Again,

as we had a trip to Poole planed,

a quick pose from Diana,

as breakfast was not included in the price of the hotel, we decided to breakfast at Poole harbor,

but first a look at the hotel lounge,

and garden,

that's better no coat and mask,

both for myself,

it was a nicely laid out garden,

with a paved pathway,

and an outdoor seating area,

the weather so far down south is a tad milder than where we live, so there are a lot more palms and other semi-tropical plants growing here,

looking back to the hotel,

a quick pose from Diana,

the P & O ferry in the mist,

there was also a pool here,

but alas it needed some TLC,

a bit early and it has to be said a bit chilly for swimmers and sun bathers,

the entrance to the pool and garden was through the bar,

so it was my turn for a pose,

if only we had our swimming costumes we would have had the place to ourselves!

as I had a drink last night we took a minicab to the harbor,

the driver dropping us off at the area where pleasure day tripper boats are moored, I have to say I really liked this boat that looked like a converted tug,

there were so many here,

well I had to!

if you are in the market for a boat the Sunseeker International Boat Brokerage is based here, for new and used craft, if you have time the Sunseeker story is quite a good but small read, it is amazing to think that when the company started in 1969 it had never even built a boat!

we started looking for somewhere to have breakfast, there was no shortage of fish and chip shops,

as well as pubs serving food,

like this one,

we continued our walk along the quayside, boats to the right,

and pubs to the left,

then we saw the boat that was so us, no not the rubber dingy or the rag and stick thing, the big dark blue one!

we decided the Quay Cafe looked right for us,

a cheese and ham toastie for Diana,

with a latte,

the same latte for myself, plus a couple of croissants,

back outside a look at the Seawolf, which started life as an ocean going tug, but was converted into a luxury yacht, yours to hire from just $195,000 a week,

we continued our walk,

stopping every now and then,

there were a number of smaller boats for hire, like this one from Calypso Charters, photograph from their web page,

the sign says it all, what a great idea for a summer party!

the weather had been kind to us,

but not today,

it was more than a tad cold,

so coat on,

and briefly off,

for a pose,

for myself, coat defiantly on,

a last look at the pleasure boat marina,

not the smallest fishing tackle shop in the UK, but I bet it is remarkably close! but do not be fooled the shop goes back a long way and is packed to the ceiling with all things for fishing, Sea Fishing Poole is run by Kieth & Elizabeth Humphreys, and is based right on the quayside, we had a chat and decided the next time we visit Poole we would hire a small boat for a fishing trip,

at the quayside fishing seemed to be remarkably popular,

just opposite the commercial fleet,

it looks like great fun for all of the family,

we then stumbled upon Poole Pottery, now many years ago I did have a few pieces from them,

we had a look inside,

the showroom was huge, and guess what we bought? you got it, a refrigerator magnet!

we next made our way to the town center, passing on the right this pub open,

and this one that did not make it, I have to say I like the green glazed tiles that many old pubs still have on them,

we soon found the town center, split into old and new,

we decided to look around the new part of town first,

and could not help but notice this shop,

having spent the last few years in Thailand,

we saw so many Buddha images, but never so many different ones in the same place,

although in the new part of town, I did like the antiquated look of the shops sign,

and the legend above it,

who would have thought that Diana needed another handbag?

in the distance we could see flashing lights,

a train crossing, cutting the new part of town in two,

for people to impatient to wait for the gates to open, or others with kids wanting to give the train driver a wave there was a bridge,

it was also there for big kids that wanted to take a photograph,

and wave at the train driver at the same time!

and under the train went,

almost gone,

and who did I see looking up at me?

although we had eaten, the aroma coming from this bakery was so delicious,

Diana had left me in the square to go shopping,

success!

back across the tracks at ground level,

we crossed into the old town,

all of the shop fronts here had some age,

and a few customers,

naturally a pub or three,

and more than a few other old buildings like this one,

Scaplen's Court Museum and Garden, we did not visit this time, but as the fishing trip, it is on the list!

one of the warehouses with its exterior pulley and doors still on view,

another old pub in the area,

and this one older still,

part of it,

The King Charles, according to the web site, 'it was previously named the New Inn became a public house around 1770. The building itself can be dated to around 1550', but look at the plaque on the front of the building, 1350!

we made our way back to the mini cab rank, passing what was at the time the most important building here, Customs House, if you click on the link you can read about the most famous incident in British smuggling history,