Hello, hello my lovelies! Good to be back in the Attic after an unexpectedly long break, it's been half term week for us here which has meant my time has been taken up with the Littlies, oh and a home-from-work husband too. We've been quite lazy actually, staying close to home and using the time to recharge a little. We've all five of us had the same head cold, I'm the last one to get it so am just starting out but the others have been in full snot-mode all week.
But this post isn't about germs or staying home, it's about scooting up into the wide blue yonder and gazing at the clouds!
Yes, I've been away again, snook away by myself to spend a few days with my parents, much as I did in July. I booked my flight a few months ago so I've had the pleasure of looking forward to it as the weeks have passed and Summer has slipped into Autumn.
I absolutely love to travel by plane, it never fails to thrill me. The sky was beautifully clear when I flew last weekend, allowing me to spend the entire hour gazing out of the window watching the changing landscape unfolding below.
Travelling by myself is a real pleasure, it always feels like so much more than simply getting from A to B. I love the feeling of lightness and freedom it brings, stepping off the plane, walking to the nearby train station, knowing that ahead of me lies ninety minutes of pure Time Out. A time to sit quietly, sip a latté and gaze at the passing landscape. Maybe a weeny bit of hooky, or a chapter of a book. Or maybe just allowing time to drift in and out of thoughts and memories.
The train takes me to Dorchester, the "County Town" of Dorset where I indulge in some minor retail therapy and treat myself to a new necklace in the sale at a favourite shop. From Dorchester I ride by bus through the familiar patchwork of fields, waiting for the exact point when I can finally see the sea, just like I did as a child. What an enjoyable four-part journey :: car, plane, train and bus.
The following morning I wake to the sound of seagulls overhead. It's such a novel sensation to wake of ones own accord, I am so used to being pulled out of my dream-sleep by Little B calling me "Mama! Mama! Mama!"
Mid morning and I set out walking, through Bridport town and out across the green fields to the coast. I'm headed for the harbour of course, the place I am always pulled to on any first-morning-in-Dorset.
It's very windy at the coast, great gusts of wind whip around the small harbour, tossing the boats to and fro on the water. The sky is heavy and grey. But oh my, it is completely deeeeeeeeeeeelicious. It is wild and windy and salty and fresh and invigorating, the best Sunday morning tonic e-v-e-r.
I am heading to my favourite cafe to meet with family, to chit and chat over coffee and a bite to eat. This is only the second time I've been to this cafe, but it has really crept into my heart and taken hold. I love love love it here. I love that the condiments are kept in bright plastic seaside buckets. I love the light and airy decor, the strings of fabric bunting, the sweet artwork on the walls, the bright splashes of vibrant colour. And I love that on this day there is an incredible bucket of fresh scarlet amaryllis sitting on the counter. It's just my kind of place, the cafe of my dreams.
We are a tad too late for the breakfast menu, so we order lunch :: I go for "griddled halloumi and roasted butternut squash skewers". I am with my family :: my Dad and his partner, my Mum and her partner, and they are quite stunned when I get out my camera and photograph my lunch before eating it. But, I say, just look at it! It's so good to look at!! The colours are stunning - golden orange and vibrant green against red and white checks! And besides, I really want to remember this delicious lunch and the best way I know of remembering is to take a photograph. I forget sometimes what an oddity it is to record life in this way. Oh, and in case you were wondering, lunch was deeeeeelicious.
After lunch we head out to take a wild and windy walk along the pier. My-my, it is AWeSoMe to experience the sea in high winds. It smashes and crashes onto the shingle beach, the very noise of it is loud and energetic and fantastic.
We venture to the very end of the pier and prepare to get a little wet as the waves splash up and over. The feel of salty sea spray on my face and the taste of it in the air is something I vividly remember from childhood. It fills me with joy, truly it does.
Evidence of the local fishing industry is piled high around the harbour.......
......and I love to see all this paraphanalia here, love to be reminded that West Bay is still an honest, working harbour at heart.
This is my Mum's cottage beside the river, and I had the pleasure of staying the night here last Sunday. When I'm down in Dorset with the rest of the family in tow it's not possible for us to sleep here as it's waaay too small. But on my own I was able to stay in the small single bedroom, and I really appreciated the quality time spent with my Mum. She is remarkably well and in good spirits these days, so hard to believe that we almost lost her in June.
Would you like to have a little peek around my Mum's place? It's an incredible little patch of rural England, I'm sure you'll love it.
See in the picture above, the painted door in the old stone wall there? Well that's actually the entrance to a secret little bit of the garden, let's go through.........
...........this is a weeny little secret garden with a small patch of grass and a beautiful view over the river. To the left is the log store, and in front is Grandpa B's shed which he built himself entirely from recycled materials.
To the back door now, this is where you come into the cottage.......
......you have to walk through this old lean-to before entering the cottage kitchen. I adore this working part of the cottage, love that Mum has all sorts of plants growing away in here including an olive tree and a climbing clematis which scrambles right up and across the roof.
This is a corner of the small sitting room, the walls of the cottage are very thick making for deep, cosy windowsills.
And this is the magnificent old Esse multi fuel stove. There's no central heating in the cottage, and being so close to the river makes it prone to feel cold so the stove is often lit, even in summer. It's the cosiest feeling to sit curled up on the sofa in front of the stove with a hot cuppa to hand. Add in a bit of hooky and it reaches high on my Pleasure-o-meter.
This is the little bedroom window looking out onto the field beside the river. Such a lush green view to wake up to, and I adore those curly-wurly old window latches.
I slept so soundly that night, cosied up in the little single bed with a hot water bottle in it's crocheted granny-square cover. Lovely memories.
I was away from the Attic for three nights, it was so very good of J to suggest that I take this wee break away to see my folks. He is a such a sweetheart. In some ways the time whizzed by, but in other ways it felt like I'd been away for ages. I alternated between revelling in my freedom and missing the children like mad.
When the time came, I enjoyed travelling home, I really did. J and the Little Peeps came to meet me from the airport, and I got the distinct feeling that I'd been desperately missed. I was bowled over with so many hugs and cuddles, it made me feel great!
Ahhhh I'm one Lucky Lady I'd say, such a great little family I have.
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Wow. You are truly lucky. I myself have three children, 10, 8 and 8 months and have never managed to get away yet!
Posted by: Lindsey | October 30, 2011 at 08:36 PM
Hi Lucy, glad to have you back in the attic after a well deserved break. Such a nice trip and what a lovely lovely cottage your mum has. Especially love the fire place, makes for so much atmosphere. Keep up the good work, your blog is a real joy to read. A big hug from a Dutch / Irish hooky loving mum of two, living in Stockholm. X
Posted by: Hanneke | October 30, 2011 at 08:39 PM
Too beautiful for words....I think little solo trips away are always good for the soul....I think we all need them every now and again even if we think we don't. Lovely post Lucy. Vicki x
Posted by: Victoria | October 30, 2011 at 08:42 PM
You have this incredible gift of making us see what we have taken for granted, with renewed romantic light. I'm so glad you've had the chance to spend time with your southern family members and recharge your batteries. I enjoy your blog and look forward to new posts. x
Posted by: Wendy | October 30, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Wow, your Mum's cottage is so beautiful. Love your blog.
Posted by: Gabe | October 30, 2011 at 09:03 PM
Lucy, thank you for the "trip". I love how discriptive you are - feels kind of like I got to go too. Wish! I adore your mother's cottage - it's perfect and just what I would dream an English cottage would look like. I'm glad your mother is well now.
Thanks!
Posted by: Elaine Brown | October 30, 2011 at 09:07 PM
I'm reckoning that anyone with small busy children understands totally the feeling of being transported somewhere where you have your thoughts/time to yourself for a few moments and waking up under your own steam in the morning too. Sounds and looks like you had a lovely time and how nice to come home revived and know that you've been missed as much as you have missed.
Posted by: Faith | October 30, 2011 at 09:16 PM
Aww - so glad you had a lovely break. I have a hankering for halloumi now (had butternut squash for lunch). Oh, and gingham table cloths. And a hot water bottle...see what you've started! Loved the secret garden and the stove too!
Posted by: One-oh-four | October 30, 2011 at 09:23 PM
What a beautiful post very descriptive and I loved the garden, also THE STOVE! just gorgeous. We are just trying to decided whether to have a stove, or open up the fire again. Now you have put the cat among the pigeons.
Posted by: maypole | October 30, 2011 at 09:23 PM
Lucy, you took me straight back to two fantastic holidays we had in West Bay, I loved staying there so much and hope very much to go back sometime soon. How lovely to have time without children and being spoilt by your family. I miss the children desperately when I am away and yet it is a treat too. Your Mum has a wonderful cottage and secret garden and what an idyllic location - lucky her, and lucky you!
Posted by: Sue | October 30, 2011 at 09:23 PM
A lovely post - your mum's place looks really comfortable and homely. Nice that your family gave you such a warm welcome back.
Posted by: Rachel F | October 30, 2011 at 09:32 PM
What a lovely trip ~ sounds like the perfect way to unwind and have some time to yourself. Glad to hear you enjoyed it ~ but I bet it's great to be back home too! :O)xx
Posted by: Jackie | October 30, 2011 at 09:32 PM
Hi Lucy, I was at the WatchHouse for lunch on tuesday and had exactly the same thing to eat!! (except I swapped the bread for chips - naughty naughty). It's closing now for refurb but hopefully will be better than ever when it re-opens in the spring. will keep you posted on progress! Joey x
Posted by: CecilyMae | October 30, 2011 at 09:36 PM
Lovely trip - I have a similar one booked for November - off to the CL Christmas fair with DD1 !
Great photos, as always. x
Posted by: The Barefoot Crofter | October 30, 2011 at 09:44 PM
So glad to hear your mum is doing so much better! Loved seeing your mum's gorgeous home! Thank you for another lovely post!
Posted by: Louise | October 30, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Gosh yes, you're so lucky. In lots of ways too! Wish I had the time and resources to escape regularly (or even just once!). will have to make do with enjoying it via your blog!
Love your mum's secret garden and lean-to. That looks like such a useful space. Oh and the recycled shed. Fab!
Posted by: Deb | October 30, 2011 at 09:50 PM
Hi Lucy.. what a great trip you had! It's wonderful that hubby took on the housekeeping and childkeeping chores so you could visit your family. One thing I find is that when the husband does this, he has a greatly renewed respect for what his wife does when she returns. And moms need to get away too, so they can have a renewed joy in doing what you do. And the kids appreciate you more too! Win win win!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | October 30, 2011 at 09:51 PM
Oh...your mum lives in the dearest little cottage....so glad she is doing so well...and that you had such a lovely time!!
Posted by: Miss Holly | October 30, 2011 at 09:55 PM
Oh I loved reading about your trip,but the feeling of going back to your family is the best,isn't it?AriadnefromGreece!
Posted by: Ariadne | October 30, 2011 at 09:59 PM
Hi Lucy, Looks like you had a lovely time. Your mum's place is a treasure and I can see why it was special for you to be there just the two of you. So happy your mum is well and you got to see your family. Have a great week.
xoRobin❤
Posted by: Robin | October 30, 2011 at 10:03 PM
What a lovely break for you Lucy and your mums house is just beautiful - just what I think of when I think of an English cottage - which I do often! xx
Posted by: Brenda | October 30, 2011 at 10:16 PM
What a splendid little vacation :) It makes my heart all warm and fuzzy to imagine the pretty and cozy things you share. I really enjoyed the picture of the farm land with the cattle and every picture of your mother's cottage. It seems so quaint, like something from a story book! I'm very happy to hear she's doing so well these days! Thanks so much for sharing your little jaunt with us.
~Lacey
Posted by: Lacey | October 30, 2011 at 10:16 PM
thanks again for transporting us, your readers, into your world and sharing with us your thoughts and your mother's cottage! as always, all so beautiful!
Posted by: Elizabeth Wright - broderie | October 30, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Those photographs of the water and your mum's cottage with all of the greenery were just wonderful. It seems like a real paradise viewed on my computer in my tiny little Manhattan apartment.
Posted by: cybercita | October 30, 2011 at 10:28 PM
Glad you had a nice time away - and also that you were glad to go home! Thanks for sharing your story and your photos.
Posted by: Karen | October 30, 2011 at 10:41 PM