August 17, 2004 POOLE

A great day to explore Pool. This is port city on the southern penninsula. The extensive beach front drive was scenic, but the town overall was not what we expected. We walked through the market area, had a coffee at a local coffee shop. Burger King, McDonalds and KFC were here...saddened to say. Again we found the bustling city to be overcrowded, overly commercialized and lacking in the warmth, character and atmosphere of the smaller villages. I guess that's true whereever you go.

We drove back through the New Forest. Tired from two days of driving before, we made it a quick day and returned to the Old Manor Cottage. We flipped on the television, and shortly heard a news broadcast that stunned us. A village that we had visitied earlier in this trip, Boscastle, was virtually destroyed by a flash flood. The water came rushing down the mainstreet of the village washing over a 100 cars into the sea. Helicopters from the Army, Navy and Coast Guard rescued on 150 persons from rooftops and windows. Several of the older buidlings were washed away as well. This village not far from the village we visited the day before, Linton and Lynmouth.

So, that brings us to now...our last day to tour...what will we do..where will we go...what will we find???? Questions and more questions...Until next time, please stay safe...and remember that you are always on our minds.