A return to Milford on Sea

After our 3 weeks on the IoW we fancied staying in the area before heading north, Mrs H suggested trying Taddiford Farm. Usually having to wait for someone to die before getting a pitch on this excellent 5 van site we got lucky (that sounds bad, see later) and booked through to Wednesday. It was nice to be back and also get a warm welcome from Robert, the friendly owner. We’ve been visiting this site for probably 15/20 years, so a definite favourite. We learnt, through chatting to a local in the pub, that Robert is related (maybe brother) to Marion Mould, famous showjumping Olympian (Horse was named Stroller, and research suggests buried in land previously owned by the family in Barton on Sea) wife of David Mould; the Queen Mothers jockey. More investigation required, and it’s fitting Robert has not once mentioned this over the years we’ve been staying.

Sadly and perhaps appropriate for the age group favouring the site there was availability due to cancellations, elderly folk having strokes, serious illness, Covid or heart attacks and falling down stairs. We may have to start going somewhere else!

The days were passed pleasantly with lounging in the sunshine on the site, a memorable cliff top walk to Keyhaven followed by beer and chips on the very

English, and well kept/respected, green in MoS (a convivial atmosphere with drinks enjoyed from The Cave and chips from Mr Pinks whilst chatting to the locals). Sunday was a shopping day, with mixed weather, always a challenge with MoHo taking 4 spaces in Sainsbury’s and the nearby retail park to get pet supplies.

Monday was another sunny day and we ambled west along the alarmingly receding cliff path from Barton on Sea to Mudeford, another well trodden stroll. Dogs are allowed on the pebble beach along a stretch so happy days for Daisy. Always fascinating to look across to the beach huts on Hengistbury and the £3/4m caravans at Mudeford Quay. Coffee, lunch and ice cream stops passed a pleasant few hours, decided on the bus back to catch the late afternoon sunshine by the van.

Tuesday began very overcast and shelter was needed in MoS for our lunch stop, the day brightened up and we enjoyed a walk over to Lymington. Old farts we are now we joined the true pensioners on the bus back, including one poor confused old lady who would probably have spent the afternoon going backwards and forwards to Bournemouth looking to go to Waitrose, which was 100 yards in the opposite direction to the stop she got on. Batty. No trip complete without The Wash House micro pub in MoS we called in for a warm welcome and chat with Cathy, nice to be remembered. Wimping out from the hour walk back we hopped on the last bus, a dirty stop out service which

finishes at 17:56..

And so to the last leg, a 3 hour drive to the Cotswolds..