This steam railway runs from Swanage via Corfe Castle and then to somewhere called Purbeck Park.

Everything is neat, tidy and painted in British Railways cream and green. It is run by the usual group of retired gentlemen showing great pride in their genuine uniforms and shiny shoes.

Unfortunately, owing to the ongoing heatwave, they are not allowed to run steam trains. Most of the land around here is tinder dry heath and there are signs everywhere saying no fires, no barbecues etc. Unfortunately, the day before we arrived there was a large fire in the nature reserve. Not only did the firemen find a fire and a disposable barbecue but also a Second World War bomb. I doubt that is suspected of starting the fire.

On the way back we stopped at Corfe Castle. The tea room did not have any sandwiches because they were short staffed (as is the hotel and almost everyone else in the hospitality industry) but was entirely surrounded by wasps.