Glenburn Hotel Weymouth

So this is it. In a week we will start our great adventure, so we thought we would write a lil goodbye message whilst in Bournemouth.<br><br>Obviously we have nothing to write about at the moment because our lives are dull in England. But make sure you keep checking up with us ...

Bournemouth has a very funny layout.. the two main streets of the town go up both sides of the hills that lead down to the park and eventually to the famous Pier.<br><br>I was a bit down in the dumps this day.. I think because I was watching all the families and couples having some fun. It was mid term break so there were heaps of kids around and the entrance to the Pier was packed with amusements and ...

... a lot to see when your on them.<br><br>So we decided on a next stop as Lyme Regis on the South Coast to break up our journey back to London. It's a nice place at the start of the Jurassic Coast which we did not have time to explore. Kim impressively went for a morning run even though it was rainy and windy and I stayed tucked up in bed!

This weekend, Aunt Jane and Derek were heading to Poole for the weekend with some friends. Hannah and I were both invited.. we left Friday afternoon to catch the train from Havant to Southampton then change to a train to Poole.<br><br>It was pretty uneventful trip, Hannah actually managed to do some homework. Dedication.. I don't think I was doing that sort of thing in Yr 10.. especially not going away for the weekend!! <br><br>Derek picked us up ...

... had lunch of crab sanwiches just off the Cobb and a walk along to find to our dismay a couple of mad Pommees actually swimming in the sea!! Unbelievable.<br><br>Back through Dorchester to have a look at Prince Charles pet product at Poundberry, a "modern" development that looks like a prison and promises to be a blight on the landscape as a slum in 50 years time. Back home through the fog and out in the evening to be ...

... for the first part of the ride so it will be a challenge; there seems to be a shortcut along a bridlepath but without a map or local knowledge it will be tricky. So return from the Lover's Knot, use the loo, put on thermals and go to bed. Sleep quite well till about 1am then wake up about every hour. Its spitting on the flysheet making a gentle drum like noise. Finally fall asleep again and wake up at 7.30 am. The roof of the tent is very low and has ...

... board and an assortment of free drinks throughout the day. Entry fee included for £45 to £55 each. Should be a good day out and raise a few bob to boot. I made contact with Fekade Addisu, who is currently the closest thing that Ethiopia has to a national rugby coach. I don't think they have ever had a competitive match yet. Anyway, he was delighted with the idea of us turning up, running a training session, donating some kit and playing a game ...

... nearly 40 years! <br><br>We decide that rather than take our car again, we would go by rail. This would then compell us to continue by rail and other public transport methods. We chose to go on a Great Rail Journey with the company of the same name. Taking the Glacier Exprees package choice we set off for Waterloo Station in London, from our local station at Yeovil Junction early on a late June morning. <br><br>This is the story of that trip, its sights and its 'wonders' !!!<br>

... and return via<br>Netherlands. Unfortunately the Grimsel and Furka, even in mid June were<br>both still blocked by snow and we had to detour to Montigny and thence<br>over the St Bernard Pass and down to Aolta. <br> Of that whole journey, which I will one day, if time permits relate to you, we were<br>most impressed by Switzerland. At the time it was the most expensive<br>place in Europe ...

... There are many pictures waiting to be loaded, but since I am at an internet cafe, they don't have that option, so hopefully I will get to a proper computer soon. Paul is having a bit of a problem with his feet, but on the whole we have averaged 10 miles a day. We are in Thomas Hardy country, very idyllic, with sheep on the green hillsides and vistas sweeping down to the sea on the other. I find following the ordinance survey maps quite interesting as they detail every marker and path ...