As a Project Officer involved in engagement, I always want to make sure my programmes are “fit for purpose”. That means testing and evaluating but also observing and trying out for myself. So, after a busy couple of months planning and launching the second year’s trial of our shuttle bus service 2RN I was itching to try it myself!
So, I set myself a challenge – could I enjoy a car free day out to Arne AND get back in time for the school run? I roped in a friend and grabbed a pen and paper. The London to Weymouth SW train line runs very regularly and calls at Poole and Wareham. The 2RN picks up from Wareham 3 times a day (4 times on Sundays and in the school holidays). Simple!
I just needed to work out how to get to the station…
Route planned – Rachel Martin
8.30am – kids dropped off to school. I’d downloaded the Beryl app the night before and decided to cycle to the station. I checked the live status on the app in the morning and could see there was an electric bike available in one of the nearby bays! I hopped on and took the scenic cycle route around Holes Bay to the station.
Beryl bike along Holes Bay – Rachel Martin
08:50am - Arrived at Poole station – plenty of time to buy my ticket but greeted with news of multiple delays due to a landslip on the line! Luckily the 9.17 service was on time and I met my friend onboard.
Poole Rail Station – Rachel Martin
09:30 – arrived at Wareham. The bus leaves from the North side of the station so we crossed the level crossing to find the green minibus waiting and ready.
Getting on the 2RN bus – Rachel Martin
09:40 – boarded the bus! Paid £2 for a single, had a lovely chat with the driver and headed off on the picturesque route to RSPB Arne.
10:00 – we arrived to a downpour and took cover in the friendly Welcome Area while we waited for the showers to pass. We got reduced entry just £3.50 (free for me as a member!) some tips for where to walk and decided on the red route to take in a range of habitats including the Shipstal shoreline. The rain eased and we were greeted with glorious sunshine as we headed out on our walk.
The view from Shipstal Hide – Rachel Martin
Another shower enroute so we hunkered down in the hide for a while. Spotted shelduck and distant deer and tried to get our bearings looking over to Hamworthy and Poole.
12:00 – finished our walk with plenty of time for a latte, enjoyed amazing leek and potato soup and even had a bit of time for a mooch around the shop.
Soup in the Arne Café – Rachel Martin
13:00 – jumped on the 2RN bus back to Wareham station in time to catch the 13:28 arriving in Poole at 13:39.
14:00 - another Beryl bike and back home for 2pm in plenty of time for school pick up. Mission accomplished!
Despite dodging showers and this literally being a busman’s holiday for me we had a really chilled morning. Taking some time out from full-time work & full-on kids, getting fresh air, some exercise and not having to worry about driving and traffic all while catching up with a good friend gave me a much-needed wellbeing supercharge!
For more car free inspiration check out the below websites:
DCT 2RN timetable DCT_Service_2RN,_2023,_Timetable.pdf (ectcharity.co.uk)
SW Rail Trains from London Waterloo to Weymouth | South Western Railway
Morebus Purbeck Breezer Purbeck Breezer - morebus
Swanage Railway Swanage Railway | Family Railway Attraction in Dorset. Homepage
Cyclexperience Bike Hire Bike Hire Dorset - Cyclexperience
Beryl Bikes Bike and scooter hire in Dorset - Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | Beryl