Train Journeys, Harbour Views, Sleepy Dogs, Ruins: First Day in Christchurch, UK

Dog sitting duties are officially wrapped up, so it's time to head back down south to Christchurch, Dorset, UK with the pooch and his mum for the first leg of our holiday. We packed up, headed to the train station.

Leg one started on the platform, waiting for the train to roll in.

The pooch kept a sharp eye on the aisle, waiting for mum to get back to her seat.

A few miles down the line, travel exhaustion completely won out, and he spent the rest of the trip passed out across my lap.

We had a quick connection at Birmingham New Street Train Station, giving us a chance to say hello to Ozzy the Bull. He was built as the 33 foot star of the 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony to celebrate the city’s industrial past. The public loved him so much they named him after Ozzy Osbourne and campaigned to save him, so he was eventually dismantled and rebuilt right inside the station. He’s a seriously imposing figure up close. All in all, it was a smooth journey to Christchurch aside from one anti-immigration bloke kicking off on the train.

The next day, I wandered into Christchurch town centre to pick up a few items. I took the scenic route and even under a dark, drizzly sky, Christchurch Quay is lovely. The harbour was dotted with anchored sailboats, bright orange inflatable dinghies, and rows of hire boats tied up along the pontoon, all sitting quietly on the water. Definitely not the day to rent a boat, though.

Leaving the quay, I followed Convent Walk, where weeping willow branches dip right down into the water. The local swans didn't mind the drizzle at all, gliding along the stream beside me as I walked.

I wrapped up the walk by the ruins of the medieval Norman House (or Christchurch Castle) sitting right on the edge of the mill stream. It was an interesting first day of the trip, even if it was very wet. Time to dry off, grab a hot drink, and get ready for the rest of the week!