A Weekend in Weymouth > Part One

The old D9 was fired up and ready for action as Woody and I descended upon Dorset for a cracking weekend of adventures. The centrepiece of our stay would be the Weymouth Vintage Bus Running Day, one of the highlights of the enthusiast's calendar, but there would also be plenty of opportunities for wider exploring along with the usual beer and banter.

DAY ONE: Friday 18th June, comprising the journey down to Weymouth and a local trip around Dorchester and Bridport...

* I meet Woody at New Street ready for the 10:03 Cross Country service. With time to spare, we hope for a pint in the Shakespeare on the station only to be told the bar doesn't have a licence that early in the morning - oops!! A Burger King breakfast is consolation instead.

* Onto our train then, bound for Bournemouth but we're only going to Southampton Central. Decent ride actually, taking about 2 and a half hours via Oxford, Reading and Winchester.

* At Southampton we have a ten minute wait before changing trains - just long enough to hunt down an Eccles cake and to decide that I don't particularly like Southampton Central Station that much.

* The local South West Trains run to Weymouth is another good journey, calling at some intriguing stations such as Bournemouth, Poole, Hamworthy and Wareham.

* Weymouth Station is our seaside terminus and the place immediately appeals to me with the cry of the seagulls and a train posing obediently at each of the three bay platforms - its nice to have a welcoming committee!!

* The walk to the hotel allows us to get acquainted with Weymouth, a fascinating coastal resort with a pretty harbour and stretches of golden sand - I feel right at home already. The Kings Statue is an interesting landmark that serves as a hub for the local bus network, mainly operated by First Dorset.

* Its a relief to drop our bags off at the hotel and get settled, then its on with the adventures. Woody has planned an afternoon out, but first its the small matter of a couple of pints at the William Henry, which quickly established itself amongst my favourites of the Wetherspoon's we've visited.

* Our first sample of the local network sees us catch the 10 for a ride out to Dorchester, battling school rush traffic and glimpsing construction of the new Weymouth Relief Road.

* Dorchester is a charming county town I was eager to investigate. The bus drops us off on Trinity Street just as a bit of drizzle set in. We take cover in the Old Ship, a Marston's inn where Woody almost gets swallowed whole by a greedy sofa. When he resurfaces we can enjoy our pints and watch some World Cup football as USA fight back for a 2-2 draw against Slovenia.

* Some welcome chips and its onto the delayed 31 which takes us to Bridport - the route in full links Weymouth and Axminster via Lyme Regis. Poundbury looks very grand and then I have to take evasive action as Woody gets the D9 dangerously into gear around Winterbourne Abbas, watch out for rogue elbows!

* I like Bridport, another traditional market town with a bit of personality. We alight at the basic interchange next to a small First outstation, not particularly glamorous I must admit but still a good spot for a photo or two - the bright yellow cafe across the road also caught my eye.

- Tanners at Bridport -

* Having worked up a thirst, a visit to Tanner's Sports Bar is deemed necessary. England World Cup preparations are in full swing here with a multitude of flags to welcome us inside. I try a half of the local Palmer's Bitter although I'm not sure the plastic glasses were entirely necessary.

* The homeward run sees us sample the X53 service back to Weymouth. Its a smashing ride enjoying some beautiful coastal scenery, whilst villages like West Bay, Burton Bradstock and Abbotsbury are each worth a closer look too.

* Arrive at the Kings Statue and its time for the footie, heading into the William Henry with not a moment to spare. The England vs Algeria match is already underway but we haven't missed anything. I thoroughly enjoy my Early Mist beer and gourmet burger, but the same cannot be said of the sporting action - a drab 0-0 draw that left everybody feeling deflated and me punching the table at times in pure frustration.

* The day closes back at our hotel, where we eventually track down the first floor bar for our final pint. The bar is eerily quiet and more akin to a retirement home, especially given the barman wanted to close up just after we'd got there. All the same, we could reflect on a good start to the weekend and look forward with anticipation to a full day of Dorset exploring tomorrow...