Stuart the train driver

On our first official day in Purbeck, we decided to buy a round trip on the Swanage railway.  

The route started just down the hill from the campsite took us past Corfe castle, up to Norden, turned around and then headed to Swanage, before returning us back at the stop we set off from.  All for £12 or so.  As GO is a bit of a steam engine aficionado this day was all about him.  In fact once I found out about the railway, it was the whole reason I chose to visit Purbeck. 

When we arrived at Norden, I ran off needing to visit the little girls room.  On the way I saw a sign offering the chance to drive a locomotive engine.  After a pit stop at the mining museum, I made my way to the sign.  

There was a special event being held at the station, for £5 (bargain) people could drive a mining locomotive up and down the track a couple of times.  Before he could say anything I handed over the money and GO was being told how to drive the train.

His face lit up as he squeezed the handle and slowly but surely the little trained chuffed out of the station. 

The guide ushered my over the tracks, so I could get a better view and take lots of pictures.  As the locomotion whistled GO brought it back to the start, he was even confident enough to wave at me as he sailed past.

I often wonder what he was like as a little boy.  For a moment that day I got to see for my self the child like wonder and joy on his cherubic little face.  Best five ponds I've ever spent.

Ahh, Bliss in the Cotwolds

After a day in Old Trafford, which was predominantly for the boy.  He has out done himself and organised a spa day for the two of us at the Cotswold House Hotel.  After the journey through all of the beautiful fields and villages on the Oxfordshire border, we arrived at Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, and the beautiful hotel.  

Photo collage made with photos from the hotel website

G.o had arranged for us to have a treatment each (he had a head massage, and I had a facial), we had unlimited access to the pool and then we would have lunch in the brasserie.   It was amazing, so relaxing there clientele ranged in age from twenties to 70+, men and women (mostly women, and a lot of them pregnant) while it was busy it didn't feel crowded.  Although I may have said differently if I hadn't had a lounger to relax on. 

My treatment was amazing, the lady was Australian, she did a facial with hot towels and this warmed almond oil.  And as a little extra she gave me a quick head massage too. When the treatment finished, she began the hard sell, talking me through all of the products she has used and why they would vital for me to use.  But as the lowest price was £30 I knew I would stick with me £5.00 cream.  She showed me to the recuperation room, which had banana sorbet and fruit infused water.  G.O arrived in his white robe, looking totally blissed out.  "I loved that, it was the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me!" He said....   Yeah right, what he actually said was "Yeah , it was good!" I don't know how but I managed to convince him to buy the facial oil that he had been recommended, it was £40 but as my dear friend says, "It's an investment in the future of G.O's face".

After a while the fidget in me got bored and I decided that I was ready for my lunch.  We got dressed went to the Brasserie where we had a lunch of baked Camembert and steak sandwiches, just perfect not too heavy and not too light.