Mini break to Weymouth

Evening at the harbour (first night)

While London was enjoying warmer weather, in Weymouth there was cloud, sea mist and even drizzle on one day. Yet when the sun came out, it was hot. Certainly, when we made it back to London, we hit the heatwave, and perhaps we would have been better off staying in Weymouth.

Two friends and I rented a townhouse close to all amenities. It was a lovely place and well equipped, with a small garden, ideal for taking an alfresco breakfast or a cuppa, which we managed twice. The only trouble with a townhouse is the stairs. For ladies of a certain age, that was a challenge with suitcases and realising we'd left something upstairs!

The garden

The back of the house

The first night we ate out, after which we went for a stroll. The next morning we set off on a walk which began just down the road from us on a disused rail line heading towards Portland. The trail is known as the Rodwell Trail. We met a lovely man who told us a bit about the line. He'd always lived in Weymouth and remembered travelling on the line. The boards with little works of art about the area were made from old sleepers and one of the old rail lines was stuck into the grass. The old platforms were still there too.

Railway sleepers

Sandsfoot Castle and gardens

We climbed higher before stopping off at Sandsfoot Castle and gardens, where there was a very convenient cafe. Afterwards, we carried on walking until we came out on the coast. The sea mist had almost obliterated Portland. At this point we decided to catch a bus into Portland. I'd been there years ago when my boys were young, but I'd forgotten how industrial the first part is. But as the bus climbed higher, we had fantastic views of Chesil Beach. A lady on the bus heard us chatting and offered advice on where to eat and told us where to get off the bus.

She had recommended an Arts Cafe called White Stones and we took her advice. It was just brilliant. We had lunch there and sat in the garden at the back with its quirky decorated walls and tables. When we caught the bus back, the sea mist was still there, but I managed to capture a couple of photos of Chesil Beach from the top of the bus.

The cafe & art gallery

Chesil Beach in the mist

The following day was dull and chilly. We spent the morning browsing the local shops and museum and found a lovely seafront cafe before visiting Greenhill Gardens. The drizzle drove us back to our holiday accommodation. In the evening we cheered England on in the World Cup from our spacious lounge with Juliet balcony!

Weymouth beach

Greenhill Gardens

Pretty houses on the seafront

Our lounge

We made plans to visit Nothe Gardens and Fort the next day, and set off around the harbour to the old quarter where the breweries used to be. These are now being turned into apartments with retail underneath. The square was lovely with many little cafes and pubs. The walk through Nothe Gardens was lovely. Shady and lush with great views across the water to Portland (still in mist!). The sun came out and the jackets came off. Nothe Fort was interesting and reminded me of the one at the Needles, Isle of Wight. It performed to same function in the wars. We had a snack in the cafe and visited the gun turrets and down in the basement with all its little rooms for keeping gunpowder etc.

Harbour

Town Bridge

Nothe Gardens

Fort

Looking to Weymouth Bay

Model of D Day Landings

We returned via a different path and came back to the harbour where the little harbour bridge was about to rise, so we stood to watch.

Once back at our accommodation we had a cuppa in the garden and changed ready for our paddle in the sea. This one is down to me. I always have to paddle when I am at the seaside, but my friends went along with me and we did just that. The sea was not as cold as I would expect it to be so in mid-June. I've noticed this for a few years and am convinced it is down to climate change. The sea was refreshing, but of course sand got in everywhere!

A kind lady took this for us

This was our last evening, so we went out to eat again and then went on to the Pavillion to see an ELO tribute act. They were really good and played all the old hits. I'd forgotten there were so many. It was a wonderful evening and great finish to the holiday. When we left the show, the mist was all around us and made an eerie sight over the harbour.