Charity Registration No. 206002 Combat Stress is the leading charity specialising in the care of British Veterans who have been profoundly traumatised by harrowing experiences during their Service career.  

Sunday 8 May 2011

Day Twenty-Eight - No Admittance

The most over used word on the south coast is - 'Private'. It applies to roads, paths, drives, beaches and anything else they can come up with. And when you get into the New Forest, it promptly gets worse. The place has that feeling of "go away, you're not one of us, are you?". A mix of arrogant old money and chippy new money, while the tourists drift about like faintly anxious sheep. But very beautiful in a way it probably never was, when farm labourers were paid starvation wages and kids had no shoes. Okay enough of the chippiness, what of the journey?

Well, I left Sussex at 9 and picked up the coast near Brighton, and it took ages to go through a constant stream of towns and villages, averaging 20 miles an hour. Boy, was I relieved to find the Swanage ferry running, as it saves a massive detour inland. Was amused to see that Sandbanks, the most expensive coastal real estate in Britain, is in fact like a slightly upmarket version of Blackpool, well Rock anyway. You mugs!!

Tonight I'm at a very nice campsite in Swanage, 'cos the National (mis) Trust owns everywhere and no camping, parking, fires, smiling or any kind of fun, like being able to wake up in the wilds, is permitted. The joyless muppets... The bike is slowly eating its chain, drive sprockets and the howlingly loud new back tyre. Will our hero make it home before doom strikes? Watch this space folks!

Stop press. Completely forgot the thank Peter and Julia for a hilarious night at the Hunt Supporters bash. I was dragged onto the dance floor by a keen, well refreshed lady for a couple of cheeky numbers, ooerr what am I going to tell Baroness Walkhampton? So I cunningly diverted her into a glass of wine and made like a tree, easy for an arborist. Yes, dear reader, I got on my bike and leaved... Baboom, tish.


Photos from day 28.

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