It was a pleasant morning for our journey to the coast. However heavy rain and windy conditions were forecast.  Luckily for us we only had 3 sharp showers lasting a few minutes each and most of the party were near to shelter.  Harry Ramsden’s was very popular for a fish and chip lunch with a Pud! as well.

The sea was rough; several people were in the water, but lifeguards were doing their best to keep everyone on the beach.  The zip wire was in continual use. One of our group was brave enough to have a paddle, apparently the water was quite warm. A large number visited the Rusell-Cotes Museum where they spent several hours.

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is a historic house and art gallery on Bournemouth’s East Cliff, overlooking the sea. Completed in 1901, this dream house was given by Sir Merton Russell-Cotes to his wife Annie for her 66th birthday. Called East Cliff Hall, the house was an extraordinary, extravagant birthday present, and Annie and Merton filled their exotic seaside villa with beautiful objects from their travels across the world and lined the walls with a remarkable collection of British art, creating a unique atmosphere in a most dramatic setting.  

Both journeys were good and “All in all” it was a very enjoyable day out.