Growing Up At Lulworth Cove

One of my fondest memories from Lulworth in the 1950's is trips to Weymouth on the paddle steamer. The day would start by waiting on the beach while the steamer rounds the corner into the cove. It gets bigger and bigger until it reaches the beach, and one of the sailors throws a mooring rope down. A precarious combination of wheeled gangplanks and walkboards are attached to the bow of the steamer. You have to wait until all the passengers from Weymouth have got off...before you can enjoy the wobbly climb onto the boat. It was magical seeing the cove and cliffs from off the coast, as the steamer reversed out of the cove. I remember enjoying the smell of the splashing paddles mixed with the sea breeze, and for a change visit the engine room with it's smell of warm oil and metal. And the longed for destination of Weymouth with it's punch & judy, candy floss and penny slot machines on the pier. After a great day out, the cherry on the cake was the journey home to the welcome quiet of the cove in the late afternoon.