Dorset - Sandford Park Day 10 - Arts & Crafts and Poole Pirates Speedway

Day 10 and another rare day where we actually stayed on site. The boys just sort of pottered around and played a bit more arcades, Holly had a day of arts and crafts with some sand art, some porcelain painting and a tie die t-shirt.

In the evening we had something quite special lined up. I found out that we were right on top of the Poole Pirates Speedway Stadium and there was an event on against Scunthorpe Scorpions. I think I have only ever been to Speedway once as a kid and our 3 have certainly never been. So I thought it was an opportunity which could not be missed.

We had an absolute blast of an evening and the Poole Pirates absolutely dominated Scunthrorpe over 15 races with over double the points. It was pretty much one sided from the 2nd or 3rd race. The racing is so exciting as it is short 4 lap sprints with load bikes, dirt flying everywhere and a really good atmosphere. The short format and excitement is reminiscent of dog racing and made me wonder just why Speedway isn't far more popular. Holly even managed to get her picture taken with the ride of the night Stefan Neilson.

The boys both enjoyed it so much the talked me in to buying them souvenir t-shirts having already spent a fortune on burgers, drinks, sweets, chips etc. It was no cheap night out!

Tina helping Holy do some sand art.

Holly's finished sand art picture of a show jumping horse.

Holly preparing her t-shirt for tie dying.

All scrunched up and ready to add the dye.

More and more colours are added.

Until it is finally ready.

Holly then starts painting a porcelain cup cake penny pot.

She does like her arts and crafts.

Holly proudly showing her work.

Whilst Holly is hard at work, the boys are also hard at working spending all my money in the arcades.

In the evening our special dinner / entertainment treat was Speedway at the Poole Pirtes Stadium.

The bikes all lined up in the pits before racing commences.

First race on the start line and ready for the off.

I'd forgotten how loud they were and the amount of dust and stones that get flicked up at the corners.

Poole had the red and blue helmets and Scunthorpe the white and yellow, so it was easy to follow the Poole riders and cheer them on.

How they don't make you wear eye protection in the crowd is beyond me, we got hit several times by stones and dirt. The kids found it funny.

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More action shots from the fast and frantic racing.

Initially we sat inside the pavilion but eventually moved out to the grandstand as the atmosphere was much better.

Holly in the grandstand.

When darkness started to set in and the flood lights were on, the atmosphere just got even better.

Another red (Poole Pirates) win coming in.

Holly gets her photo taking with rider of the night - Stefan Neilsen.

And somehow the boys conned me in to getting the Poole Pirates sourvenir t-shirts (they are nice though).