Bridport

Why am I here?  Not the metaphysical “here” but Bridport.  I’ve heard that question frequently enough now to realize that an answer is required.  The Jurassic Coast and the hope of finding a fossil or two  for my Dino-Nephew Ben is one reason, but the real reason is that I’ve not been here before and and one of my goals is to be able to be anywhere in the UK and when someone speaks of some part of the this small isle be able to respond that I had been there. If you have followed my posts you will see that I’m on my way to that goal. I was aware of both the beauty and history of this part of Great Britain so am determined to learn all I can.  Bridport is a small, sort of quaint town in the center of The Jurassic Coast historically (1200 AD) known for rope work . I’m trying out Air B&B for the first time and I think this will become one more way to find both lodging and perspective.  I have a very nice room with private bath and separate entrance.  And my hostess, Gillian, is very pleasant, independent  and interesting with a warm personality.

After 34 years living in Wareham, MA, where I left in 2015, I never expected that the next time I would be in Wareham, it would be the original!  Well, at least the train station.

From the train a short bus ride dropped me a couple hundred meters from my destination. Let me introduce you to Bridport.

 

The window that boxes out to the street is my temp home.

Although Bridport is a  flat and walkable town,  I have once again to thank the good work of the PTs back in Vernon, CT whose simple instructions have allowed this Wander to begin. And the next few days should test that work.

 

As I walked through this proper British butcher shop I noticed not only the choices (try buying lamb heart in the States) but the prices.  Kilos to pounds and GBP to $ takes some effort to calculate  but I have long felt that food costs in the UK are lower than back in CT/MA.

In the lower right you will see streaky bacon or what back home is simply bacon.

I would have loved a kitchen to bring some of this back to but I will have to wait for a while until I can cook again.

Gillian informed me that nearby Lyme Regis was having a Fossil Festival so even though the rain was substantial, I donned my rain gear and bussed to this channel side town.  A moment about rain.  Back in CT & MA we seem to get rain less frequently than here in the UK but with more volume, but today was a soaker.  Too bad about the rain as there were many activities for kids canceled.  The town and it’s waterfront were quite nice but so hilly you’d have to be in great shape to get old here.

 

 

A row of holiday cabins

But beware of the vicious seagulls!  This fight went on for minutes with the one on the left never releasing the other beak.