Boxing Day was misty and inclined to a fine drizzle. We pottered round Corfe Castle for a short time and then decided we would seek pastures new at all costs.
“I can’t stand another damp meal” said Jumbo, “and “Bridget” nearly wept all over me again early this morning when she brought tea”!
So we packed up and left.
We made a short tour East towards Poole Harbour and found Studland bay, very lovely and unspoiled, and the Knoll House Hotel situated close to the beach in lovely wooded country. Here we would gladly have stayed, but it was only a small place and full up. So reluctantly we came away.
Studland Bay
But we promised ourselves another visit here, for the country round is very good and the bathing beach very attractive.
We came westwards again through old Studland village, a picturesque much wooded place and in a tiny village pub had a cheery drink with the landlord, —
“The first really bright word I’ve passed with a soul” said the poor Elephant as he was invited to take “the other half”!
But we could not stay here either, – which Jumbo especially seemed to think was a pity!
So we journeyed on to Swanage where we lunched at the Grosvenor Hotel. – Large, vulgar, crowded with bright young things – all determined to enjoy themselves at all costs.
Swanage
But we ate a very good lunch and rather liked Swanage itself as a place.
From here we drove south to Langton Matravers and Tyneham – all good country, into lovely Lulworth with its deep narrow lanes and quiet stillness.
Lulworth
It is but a short distance to Dorchester and thither we were drawn irresistibly, for there is something that always speaks if home in that friendly old town, – that heart beat of the Hardy Country, which tho’ never seen was as familiar in my youth as my own Cheshire lanes, read of over and over again by the fireside, by one who loved the books that have made “Wessex” immortal, — my mother.
Dorchester
We arrived at the “Antelope” in time for tea. – Fresh hot toast and jam and home made cake in front of a bright fire in the simply furnished beautifully kept Lounge –!
“Yes! There were two bedrooms vacant”!
We took them!
We had a fearfully good hot simple dinner, well served and Jumbo found a bottle of wine that warmed his marrow, – so he said. He glowed over the fire in the lounge and fell to talking over his “Boxing Day Brandy” with two very pleasant young men, who had come down to hunt over Christmas and looked as if they’d enjoyed themselves enormously! They roared over our sad story of Christmas and maliciously recited the menu from the day of their arrival in Dorchester. –
“The Antelope” was indeed what we had been in search of!
And so we talked late into the night and promised ourselves that delicious morning of leisure and comfort that we had anticipated — How long ago – ?!
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