I would be leaving Dorset once again in a few weeks, starting a new work contract in Hertfordshire. In the meantime, my car needed servicing, and during the wait I would head down to Sandbanks in Poole with my compact camera.
Street Photography Mode
I did consider taking my DLSR, rucksack and tripod, but in urbanised areas I prefer more an inconspicuous street photography mode just with my compact camera which often takes excellent pictures without all the baggage.
OS Map Sandbanks to Poole Old Town
As always I planned my walk with OS maps online. I would head down to Sandbanks and then walk around the harbour and head towards Poole old town.
Delivered my car at Canford around 8AM in the morning as early as they start. Should be ready early afternoon. No rush, I was going to enjoy a long walk.
Sandbanks Morning Mist
I headed down to Sandbanks and mostly had the beach to myself except for the occasional walkers. A morning mist was adding atmosphere and blurring the background.
Further along the beach it became clear why maybe it was called Sandbanks. Sand dunes right outside the front gardens of some lucky people’s houses. Did you know those properties along the coast of Sandbanks are valued as the 4th highest in the world! If you were thinking of moving here.
The myriad of footprints in the sand gave light to the popularity later in the day to walking along Sandbanks. It was beautiful sunny morning in the early part of February to be beach walking.
Sandbanks Ferry
Sandbanks is a small peninsular with a regular ferry crossing to shell bay and Studland. Using the ferry will save you a 25 mile round trip to Swanage from Bournemouth, all for a small fee and some waiting.
Brownsea Island
Around near the ferry could take a small boat to nearby Brownsea Island. On the map Brownsea Island looked like it had a lot of interest and a few viewpoints. Winter departure times are from 10AM to 3PM and costs £7 for an adult. This would be a future trip, if not today. I stopped off in a cafe nearby and had a coffee and bacon sandwich before continuing my walk.
Pool Harbour Trail
Following the footpath towards Poole old town takes you along the Poole Harbour Trail. It was a calm day, little to no wind and the mist was still hanging around.
Using little magnification on my compact camera I could exclude some foreground distractions, focusing on the boat, the mist blurring the background of this high key image of Poole Harbour.
As the morning progressed the mist cleared giving way to a beautiful sunny February day. I walked as far as the viewpoint at Lilliput then decided to head back towards Sandbanks and maybe take the boat to Brownsea Island.
Back at the ferry crossing to Studland I was feeling the walk and took a coffee break in a beachside cafe at Sandbanks. I would save a trip to Brownsea for another day.
Climbing the steps at Canford Cliffs next to Sandbanks were great views across to the stacks of Old Harry. Soon my car would be ready so I called it day.
It was this walk from Sandbanks to Poole Harbour that I started posting some images taken on my mobile phone to Instagram. My following is growing on Instagram and is a much more dedicated social platform for picture-taking.