Day 97 - Poole Dorset - 60 km - All roads lead to Corfe !

After 3+ months sadly our last day of riding !

After securing some bits and pieces to aid tommorro
ws packing we took the ferry back across Poole Harbour to the Isle of Purbeck this time taking narrows lanes on a different approach to beautiful Corfe.

Pommie Kev had prearranged with son Will to receive texts whenever an Aussie wicket fell on day 2 of thge 4th test so it was with a bit of dismay when we heard his phone go off twice before we had hardly done any riding !

The pace was an early cracker which then turned into a good climb with one serious hill aptly named Steeple Hill taking us up for fabulous views over the coastline and the tank firing range

We then headed down to the Ghost village of Tyneham a village where residents were removed in December 1943 to allow the army to use the area to prepare for the 1944 D day landings.

The village was not though returned like others and compulsorily acquired by the army in 1948.

Today the small village is a poignant reminder to the time with buildings in ruins a small church with the towns local history, a restored telephone box and even a school complete with school books and chalkboard written home work assignment !

Climbing back out we passed through Corfe for one last time (all roads seem to lead here) heading back
to catch our ferny back to Poole passing many day trippers including cyclists taking advantage of the weekends weather !

All in all 2 great days cycling to finish our trip and some fantastic company with Kev and Julia embarrassingly hospitable in their 5 star treatment of these two Aussies !.

We spent much of the night discussing future travel adventures while also celebrating Kev & Julia's 28th wedding anniversary !

A wonderful time with good friends and a promise to roll out the red carpet when they hopefully grace our shores !

Now its time to get ready to go, a pack of the bikes a journey to Honiton and a flight on Monday to Paris before we wind our way home !