We always drive down to Dorset in the evenings, setting off around 6pm and arriving 300 miles later in the dark of the night. The Dorset Dark always smells completely delicious to me, a nostalgic mix of fresh wet grass and salty night air. I really look forward to that first moment when I step out of the car, stretch my legs and take in a great big breath of night scent. Home. I still get that coming-home feeling when I smell that delicious Dorset night smell, even though it's been 24 years since I left to step out into the big wide world.
The first morning of a holiday away from home is magical don't you think? We wake early of course, no matter where we are sleeping, because we have little-people-shaped alarm clocks. Any time after 6am is a lay in for us, I kid you not. But I've grown to love being "up and at'em" in the early morning, it allows for the day to unfold in a leisurely fashion and a gradual gearing up for the delights ahead.
We see the sun rise on our first early morning in Dorset. It rises bright and red into a cloudless blue Springtime sky and promises to deliver a welcome dose of good weather. We know that we'll soon be heading down to the sea to enjoy our traditional first-breakfast-of-the-holiday by the harbour at West Bay. Sitting at the weathered wooden tables eating bacon rolls and drinking fresh frothy coffee, it's Sooooo Very Good. Warm morning sun on my face and the sound of seagulls in my ears, such a perfect start to the week for sure.
After breakfast we head round to the beach....
...I linger on the promenade and watch as my sweet family go about their beachy business. It's the first time Little B is able to actually walk on the beach as our last visit was eight months ago and he wasn't even crawling then I don't think. His seaside toddling is so precious to watch.
Ahhhhh so warm, I remember it was so warm that morning!
I just love love love the Dorset coastline. It holds a large part of my childhood and I love it dearly for that. I love that it is so familiar, that I can name each of those clifftops stretching out into the distance, that I've climbed over them all too. The above picture is of Lyme Regis, which I've written about before, such a cutesome place it really is.
We are here on a hot afternoon visiting with my good friend who lives here. We walk down from the town to the beach via the picturesque gardens, much as we did back in August. In fact it feels like August, the heat is incredible for an April day, much more like high summer than mid spring. The beach is crowded, but we find a quiet spot and settle down to let the Little People do their thing.
The afternoon ticks along, sand is scooped, built, piled. I take Little B for a tentative paddle in the shallow sun warmed waters, but he cries and attempts to levitate, not wishing his feet to touch the water At All. No Thankyou. But with some gentle encouragement and persistence he finally allows his feet to lower, and he is happy then, stamping his little feet in the watery sand with a big grin on his face.
The late afternoon turns to early evening. We drink chilled white wine and chatter, my friend and I, while the children play and the men folk do the decent thing and go forth to gather food for us all. Fish and chips, eaten with fingers, just perfect.
During the week we were in Dorset the weather remained remarkable for April. Day after day we awoke to cloudless blue skies and brilliant sunshine. But not only that, it was hot too, just glorious for all the beachy outings we had in mind. We visited the coast pretty much every day, sometimes for breakfast, sometimes for morning coffee with extended family (my brother, sister in law and two nephews were also holidaying), sometimes for picnic lunch. But my favourite time to beach was in the late afternoon, with something tasty planned for dinner.
The above beach is at Burton Bradstock and is one of our favourite places to go. It's a lovely stretch of unspoilt coastline, with the added bonus of a great cafe should you have need for it (my-my, I do adore the carrot cake at The Hive cafe, I certainly always have need for it)
We visited Burton beach on several occasions, but the most memorable time was one late afternoon when we set up camp and cooked our dinner on the barbecue. A mug of hot tea with chocolate easter eggs to finish off. Mmmmmmmmmm.
I think my most favourite beach of all is to be found at Eype (pronounced "Eeep"). I love it for it's unspoilt quality :: here at Eype beach there is nothing in the way of facilities. Not a thing. It's just you, the cliffs, the pebbles and the sea.
And it always seems to me to be at it's most appealing in the later part of the day. I've written about our visits here before, we seem to be building some terrific memories at this beach, they take root in my heart and I know I shall remember these times with huge affection.
On this particular day (23rd April, our last night of the holiday) we are here at Eype beach towards the close of day, round about 6pm. We are not alone, many folk have the same idea as us, but the beach is big enough for us to find a quiet little spot. We've already eaten but have drinks and snacks to hand, and the idea strikes us that maybe we could build a small camp fire. We find a place where someone before us has had the same idea, it's a ready-made fireplace. Perfect. We send the Little People off on a driftwood gathering expedition, they are incredibly excited at the prospect of building and lighting a Real Fire.
It gives me a huge rush of pleasure to watch my Little Peeps enjoy the delights of the beach, especially at this time of day when normally all would be winding down towards sleep. They have no intention of winding down when they can run and throw, climb and explore. I love their energy. Love their excitement. It makes me so happy to watch them.
And lets not forget Little B :: he is up way past his bedtime but seems more than happy with this arrangement. He's not able to walk very well on the big pebbly beach, so he sits with J and I and watches his big brother and sister as they leap about.
J takes charge of the fire (of course) and the driftwood lights up beautifully.
We sit around it, warm our hands and toes...
....drink tea and eat chocolate.
It's a perfectly scrumptious early evening.
We stay until the sun goes down, enjoying the last part of a very beautiful and memorable day.
Ahhhhhhhhhh, deep contented sigh :o).......amazing to revisit our holiday four weeks on, to remember how very very Good it was! Our days were so full of Good Things, it was wonderful.
Tomorrow I'll be leaving the coast and bringing you The Countryside, join me for lots of greenery and views won't you?
See you then
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Great holiday on coast, I like this place. We drink chilled white wine and small talk with my friend and Fish and chips, eaten with the fingers.
Posted by: קורס איפור | October 17, 2011 at 10:27 AM
You have inspired me so much that i had to learn. hey stay so sweet and little for such a very short time. I really enjoyed your post. you sound like you had a great holiday.
Posted by: London escort | May 28, 2011 at 08:42 AM
To be on the south coast as well how wonderful. such precious memories and as the little peeps grow up they too will have these delicious memories. You are such a positive, kind, and gentle soul.
Posted by: dreambox hd | May 27, 2011 at 08:29 AM
I love the beach at sunset. and I also love to read about the holidays you take reminding me to be positive and appreciate the small things in life. I should love to pop off down there now after reading your post.
Posted by: virility ex | May 27, 2011 at 05:40 AM
I'm very late in reading this post but oh how I've enjoyed it. Your family holidays sound totally blissful and make me feel excited about the family holidays that are ahead of us now that we have our dear Frederick. Love reading about this bit of the Dorset coast that I'm not familiar with as we always stay just outside Swanage so I know that end best. Would really love to venture further west next time we're down there which should be in July house move allowing. Off to read your other holiday posts now. Fiona x
Posted by: Fiona | May 23, 2011 at 09:32 PM
Lovely holiday memories Lucy, I adore those Dorset beaches so unspoilt, crystal clear water and fabulous views what could be better!
Posted by: sue | May 23, 2011 at 08:54 PM
Love your Blog:) Lovely pics and those adorable bitty feet in crocs!! too cute:)
Posted by: Pat | May 21, 2011 at 02:50 AM
I am just too too jealous for words. It looks so divine and had such fabulous weather. That week was amazing! x
Posted by: PinkCatJo | May 20, 2011 at 06:03 PM
Fabulous. Yes you are a great writer with a wonderful sense of humour.Brr it's cold here in N.Z.Shirley
Posted by: Shirley Flavell | May 20, 2011 at 01:13 AM
What a lovely time you had! I can remember childhood holidays in Dorset being magical. We're off there ourselves with our own little one in a couple of months and I can't wait :D
Posted by: Emma | May 19, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Since my disability worsened going to the beach is well nigh impossible for me (I haven't given up, but have yet to find a good way).
You're post today was such a gift, to revisit the sea again.
I miss her dreadfully some days.
Thank you, thank you thank you.
Posted by: Diana Troldahl | May 19, 2011 at 06:58 PM
A wonderfully happy post of your recent hols, it really did make me a smiley person to read about your lovely adventures with the little people and the happy memories you created in Dorset and the surrounding area
Posted by: Julie | May 19, 2011 at 06:33 PM
Lovely photo's Lucy. Bought back happy memories of childhood holidays in Charmouth.
Posted by: Penny Beaumont | May 19, 2011 at 06:25 PM
Golly-Gee... I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself this morning. And a wee bit jealous to be honest. Oh, how I wish I had such a charming place to visit. You know what.. I'd be filling my pockets with a bunch of rocks and pulling up a log by that fire just to sit a spell. And me, I'd be wearing my teal blue Crocs.
I can dream "another" chilly rain morning here, can't I,
TTFN,
VACA ON,
Kate - T.G.B.
Posted by: Kate - The Garden Bell | May 19, 2011 at 06:01 PM
Oh Lucy what a perfect holiday! I love Dorset we holiday a little bit up the coast near Corfe, it is building many happy memories for us and the littlies.
So love the campfire on the beach but what an awesome photos of Little B's crocs between yours!
love
Tickety-boo
xx
Posted by: Tickety-boo | May 19, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Gosh! How I miss Dorset and all those places you talk of.....
Posted by: Kate | May 19, 2011 at 04:34 PM
What a magical place!
Posted by: missjulep | May 19, 2011 at 03:56 PM
Dear Lucy,
I absolutely loved this post and thank you for sharing your special family vacation with us. I wish for a similar one with my family one day.
Your writing and photos are all wonderful but I too love the of you & little B in matching cros the best :)
Sue
Posted by: Sue | May 19, 2011 at 03:04 PM
wow, all I can say is wow. what a absolutely fabulous day!
Posted by: sandi reed | May 19, 2011 at 02:45 PM
How great this blog post is! I hope you also collected some of those lovely pebbles!Maybe some sea glass too!AriadnefromGreece!
Posted by: Ariadne | May 19, 2011 at 02:32 PM
Looks like you had an amazing time. I was in England two years ago and couldn't get used to the beach's there, so different from ours here in South Africa. Here we have white sand, no pebbles apart from the occasional one or some washed up shells. It's amazing our different our coastlines are! But both equally as beautiful in their respective rights! I can't wait to read about your countryside visit!
Posted by: Bonnie | May 19, 2011 at 02:16 PM
Stunning photos and beautifully written. My mum lives in Chard in Somerset but we were in Lyme Regis at Easter it was beautiful. We are also going to Dorset for a week in near future with my DS, DIL and my own little peeps- my granddaughters - hope we have some lovely weather, dry and warm enough for the beach. Anne
Posted by: Anne Williams | May 19, 2011 at 02:12 PM
Looks like you had a wonderful time, glorious photographs, especially the sunset ones.
J x
Posted by: julia | May 19, 2011 at 01:15 PM
Thanks for sharing your holiday - I feel completely holidayed now too! Even thought it's freezing cold where I am here in Southern Australia. xx
Posted by: Sandra | May 19, 2011 at 01:15 PM
A beautiful adventure. You know, the thing that made my heart melt the most was seeing little B's bare feet while he sat on his daddy's lap. I am a sucker for feet. Especially baby feet. They stay so sweet and little for such a very short time, don't they? I'm glad you are getting to make some amazing memories with your family.
S xo
Posted by: Seaweedandraine | May 19, 2011 at 12:48 PM