Dorset Spring 2012 :: days 5&6

:: DAY 5 ::

Weather report ~ warmish, but grey and overcast with frequent rain showers.

Day 5 was to be different to the other days in that we decided to split into Team Boy and Team Girl and go to different places. It was a plan made in heaven and sprinkled with happy dust as far as I was concerned.

Team Boy were destined for Bere (a small place just over the border in Devon), more specifically the delights of Pecorama which consists of a model railway exhibition plus excellent Boyish miniature steam train running through landscaped gardens.

Team Girl would be dropped off en route to Bere to carry out Girlish pursuits, more specifically the delights of Lyme Regis which consists of shops, galleries and cafés all with sea views and feel-good.

I wrote about my love affair with Lyme Regis a couple years ago, and my fondness has even grown since then I think. I really, really (like r-e-e-e-e-e-a-l-l-y) love Lyme Regis. A lot. A very lot. It pleases me on so many levels, ticks so many of my happy boxes, that it never ever fails to deliver huge dollops of pleasure. Simply pootling round the streets is heaven, they're so damn pretty and full of charm!

And the possibilities it holds for Retail Therapy is just wonderful. There are some truly unique and beautiful little shops and galleries, full to bursting with unique and beautiful objects. The Coombe Street Gallery was the very first shop we went into, and it was such a treat. Little Lady is a fantastic shopping companion I have to say, we had great fun looking at things together, chatting and exclaiming over so many delightful finds.

I love how gorgeous the shop fronts are in Lyme, it makes the whole town look incredible. So much style and colour everywhere you look.

This was the window display in one of my favourite shops, Ruby Rockcake. Wow, I really felt at home in here. It was full of an amazing selection of retro styled products, quite a bit more funky and colourful than your average vintage shop. I first read about Ruby Rockcake on a lovely blog called JellyJam, you can read the post here and see more beautiful pics of the shop's interior. Caroline...if you are reading this, I ADORED your shop, and will definitely be back again, most probably to try and move in.

After all this retail excitement and a lovely spot of coffee'n'cake, we headed up to the top of town to go find my good friend M. She was finishing up a spot of work in her beautiful studio (she's a knitwear designer), located down this really incredible, pretty little back street.

Isn't this just the most picturesque little street?

Pretty cottages and gorgeous gardens......

....and views out over the rooftops. It was all so yummy, a real feast for the eyes.

After a lovely, chatty lunch at a place called Pasty Presto (delicious), we wandered down to the seafront to rendezvous with Team Boy who had finished doing train things. By all accounts they had a fabulous time and were ready to join us in a bit of seaside pootling and icecream eating.

It was unusually quiet down at the beach, but then the weather was quite stormy with frequent short bursts of rain, so not exactly beachy weather really.

But it was as lovely as ever, and we enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the seafront and round the wall of the Cobb.

You can just see the end part of the old Cobb wall to the right there...go and have a peek at this beautiful aerial view and you'll get a great impression of how the cobb walls form the sheltered harbour.

More boaty loveliness, I can never get enough of Boaty Views.

It really was gorgeous on this afternoon. Not perfect weather (we kept getting wet) but still a beautiful day to be beside the sea.

Now after all that sublime coastal scenery, I'm going to leave day 5 with a heap of seaside plastic. What fun this shop display was! I was thrilled to see a huge giant version of my own backyard windmills, and I wish you could've heard Little B's excited exclamations over it too, so sweet.

:: DAY 6 ::

Weather report ~ warm and lovely, blue skies, fluffy clouds and sunshine.

Day 6, our last day. We weren't going to leave till 5pm or thereabouts so we had most of the day to say goodbye to everyone and everything. The day started early with Little B waking just after 5am, so I left him snuggling in bed with J and came downstairs for a little early morning quiet time. I love to crochet in the early mornings whilst on holiday, the light is golden and the sweet sound of bird song fills my ears. I sit in the old chair beside the patio doors with them open just a smidge..enough to let in the sound of the birds and the scent of still wet grass and earth.

I took the May issue of Country Living magazine with me to read whilst on hols, wowsers, what delight in those pages! I loved the decorating spread based on "Retro Revival, and it struck me how similar my current yarn selection is. The teal blue with the mustardy yellow, the slightly purplish grey tones with the orangey pink thrown in.

There was reference made to some Fired Earth paint colours (their mid-century collection), and yes, I can see that I have kind of fallen into this palette by accident. I am just missing a good deep burnt orange and a slightly mucky olivey green.

Actually, I went to pay a visit to Bridports new wool shop on day 6 (what a gorgeous experience that was! See some pics of it here, it's a slice of pure yarny heaven)...and picked up two extra colours of the Rico Merino to try and fill the orange/green gap. Not quite sure about them yet but we'll see (for reference, I added in orange colour 73, and khaki colour 46, although they won't be in my cushion)

After breakfast, we decided to go and have a short farewell trip to the sea and there followed a short, sharp debate over which bit of sea we should visit. Burton? Eype? West Bay? I'm happy to say that my choice won out, and back to West Bay we went. It was the most beeeeeeautiful morning, warm and sunny with the wind finally down to a mere light breeze.

It was only just after 9am when we arrived, we parked the car right on the promenade (my idea, as there is an amazing coffee place right there where I knew I could get me a carry-out to accompany my beach session). 

The Little People each had a spade and went off to the small patch of sand to dig, dig, dig (you can just see them in the above pic). I sat my bottom on the warm steps that lead down from the promenade to the beach and indulged all my senses. The taste of hot milky coffee, the feel of the smooth stones in my fingers, the sight of the blue-meets-blue horizon, the sound of seagulls and waves rolling into shore, the scent of fresh coffee intermingled with salty seaweed.

I looked up, down, and all around. All was beautiful and content in my world. Happiness washed over me.

I watched my Little Boy (see him above there?) toddling about with his blue spade, picking up pebbles, collecting things, throwing things, so happy in his own sweet world. And I thought for the umpteenth time...WOW. I have THREE children. Not two, but THrEe of these incredible little things. It appears I am still astounded by this fact, still amazed that we have become a family of five. I wonder, will this amazement ever evaporate?

I tell you, I so did not want to leave that beach, I felt like my very soul had taken root in the shingle. My feet did not want to walk away. But......we had packing to do, a family lunch to be present at, dear loved ones to bid farewell to. And then a long 300 mile journey to make home.

On Sunday morning back here in Yorkshire, the weather was bright and sunny and we set out early to go and walk along the riverside. I put on my fleece to keep the chill off, and when I put my hands in my pockets I pulled out a small handful of collected beach treasures. Souvenirs from a fabulous holiday beside the sea.

Not the only treasures to come home with me mind you, I wasn't just idling about window shopping in Lyme Regis, no no no! I had been saving up my pocket money specifically for this trip so I had a wee bit of spending money at my disposal. Would you like to see my New Sweet Things?

There you go....a collection of spoons and egg cups and mushrooms and postcards and cake sprinkles and wooden arty objects. Yum yum yum!

The teeny wooden mushrooms and the cute mushroom nightlight came from Ruby Rockcake.

The melamine spoons are Rice DK (similar here)

I bought the adorable little egg cups from Fuego, but you can buy them online here.

Ahhhh I LOVE these postcards! I spotted them at a newsagent in West Bay and couldn't resist them, they are illustrations by the talented Martin Wiscombe.

I bought this lovely, lovely little wooden boat from the Coombe Street Gallery in Lyme Regis, it nearly broke my heart with it's cuteness. It's a simple piece of automata and when you wind the little handle, the boat rocks up and down......isn't it lovely?!

When I went for lunch in Lyme, I got this sweet boat out to show M. But I found that all the while I was showing it, I was actually thinking and talking about a larger piece that I'd seen but hadn't been sure about buying at the time as it was a good chunk of my spending money. However, the more I thought about it, the more I just knew in my heart that I should go straight back to the gallery and buy it. I could already feel that I would totally regret not having it in the Attic, I was already longing for it, does that make sense?

And this is the piece I went back for. It really is beautiful, soooooo beautiful. It's another piece of automata ~ winding the handle makes the little painted metal seagulls fly up and down. It's so totally in the spirit of Lyme Regis (the rows of coloured painted houses, the ever present seagulls, the white fluffy clouds) that my heart soars when I look at it. I've written the date I bought it on the underside, and I shall treasure it and love it forever, I know I will.

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Edit to add :: after some research I've found out that the sweet wooden automata are made by a British company called Shoeless Joe. They describe themselves as a "wholesale gift company" who design their products in the UK but have them made in other parts of the world. These wooden pieces have such a delightful handmade quality, and were very reasonably priced, but sadly they aren't available to buy online anywhere as they are wholesale only. Not sure if this is of any help whatsoever, but hey, you did ask!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Megan]

Lucy- The very things that make your heart smile seem to do the same to mine!! What is it about the sea/ocean?? It so beckons. Thanks as always for sharing your journey-it has truly made my day!!

[kazzy]

Helloooo again lovely, while surfing the internet i came across an online shop http://www.thebutterflyhouse.co.uk/page12.htm
and it was selling very similar drift wood type arty crafts- I just wondered if they were the same?
I thought you might like the site anyway ;0)

x Kazzy x

[Nicky]

Hi Lucy, Have loved your blog for a long time even though I'm not into crocheting, its so colourful and upbeat. Just writing to say I saw this today:
http://www.planetjune.com/blog/march-update-2/ (scroll down a bit) that says you are the NUMBER 1 crochet blogger in the April edition of 'Inside Crochet.' You may know but thought I'd write just in case you didn't. Yay! Go you! x

[Sandi Lee]

I just don't know where to begin,so I will just say......What a beautiful holiday, delicious in all ways. I think you will love Bunny Mummy's newest post, very cute little boats.
I haven't had a holiday for 9 years and so want to get down to the sea again.
xx Sandi

[Kylie]

*sigh* this beautiful post makes me feel like running away from home :)
Gorgeous photos - what a great little place. Kx

[Marilyn]

Thank you for allowing me to travel along with you and your family. I am having lovely day dreams about the places you've shown me. Maybe someday.....

Your Alabama Friend.

[Jan Marchant]

I love Lyme it was my paddling hole when I was young. Thank you for showing it off so well.
Sherborne Lane is a beautiful back street but- tis better attacking it from the top of Broad Street than from Mill Green!!!!!!

On the South West local news programme tonight they stated something we both know---
it is more uplifting walking by on a beach than walking in a park.

[idiosyncratic eye]

Lyme has got very artsy crafty in recent years and I will carefully bear in mind that Bridport has a wool shop! Now choosing between a day at the seaside or a day on the trains would have been a tough one! :)

[Helen]

Ooooooooooooo, I just got a shoeless joe row of houses from the welsh seaside. I love your find too. Aren't the just the best. I sit and look at mine so often and never tire of it. You did the right thing going back for it!

[Bev]

Lyme Regis definitely has a look of St Ives and Tenby, especially with the ice-cream colours of the painted cottages and the lovely choice of artefact shops. These coastal towns are the types of place that don't matter what the weather is like because they always have such vibrancy, even when the sky is dark and grey.

Looks like you all had a fab time!

B x

[penelope10]

Love the painted housses in a row! Charming!

[Caroline Rose]

Oh Lucy - what beautiful pictures! The houses and boats are gorgeous and slightly inspiring! And I did laugh at how similar the blue caravan postcard was to my (your) caravan!! even the bunting and table and chairs! It is lovely to have you back xxx

[pippa]

love the look of lyme regis must give it a go maybe this summer. glad you had a really lovely holiday it's always great to have a break. Keep up with the tutorials i'm learning a lotxxpippa

[joey]

didn't you go to rinky tinks? you must have passed it! how did you resist?!

[jeannette]

what a good writer you are, patiently observing everything and stitching it into a good straight narrative.

let me ask you. i live here in the states. we don't do bunting, except maybe on the fourth of july (red white and blue, like y'all) or on used car parking lots. but every home blogger in britain has, makes, sells, buys crocheted, sewn, felted, taped, found-object bunting.

is it a cath kidston thing? i hope you will tap into your textiles history eddimication to enlighten us.

[elsa]

love all the photos but the best is the rock, shell and driftwood (me, being a fan of all).
Oh, I'd love to come for a visit to your area of the world.

[Cindy]

Well Lucy it sure looks like you had a wonderful vacation. I know just how you feel about leaving your soul behind. I remember a particular vacation I went on and I had a lump in my throat all the way home. It wasn't 300 miles though, more like 800. So I don't get there very often. I love harbours and harbour towns, and what a fun shopping trip. When I saw that mushroom in the store window pic, I thought to myself...I bet she bought that! Love your boaty fun moving art!

Cindy Bee

PS - I bought some VINTAGE yarn from Mandy's new yarn store! It is not vintage because it's old, it's Vintage because that's the brand name, and the colours are vintage. You would love it. I don't know what I'm going to make yet, but it's gorgeous.

[Kate Lantry]

Beautiful pictures as always! I'm with you; can't help going into cute little shops like that and finding treasures. What beautiful souvenirs of your fabulous holiday!
Blessings,
Kate

[Val]

Hi. Thank you for sharing your hol with us. I love the winding narrow streets and the painted houses, they always look so much better at the coast. Looking forward to my own seaside holiday in a few months time. Me and my mum are going to Brighton for a few days, hoping for lovely weather and lots to discover, and a few lattes (that's our treat).Glad you all had a lovely time. Bye for now, Val x

[Ángeles]

I´ts great to see all your post I just had a great time with all your pictures It´s like been on holiday in that beatifull Dorset, thanks for sharing your good time and holiday´s with all.

[Jennifer Campbell]

Lucy, I just wanted you to know what joy and peace I get from reading your blog. I have been home for the past 8 days taking care of my boyfriend who had major eye surgery, and being able to stop every now and then through the day to see your beautiful photographs and read your lovely descriptions has given me such relief. Thank you for sharing your life with us!

[Kirsten]

Your posts make me so happy Lucy! I've become quite addicted, though, with new posts 3 days in a row - so don't make us wait too long for more!

[Sandie]

What a great holiday! I've been following you around nostalgically. I too love Lyme Regis particularly, it was only a couple of years ago that I was staying in a little cottage in Coombe Street, with the river flowing out the back, and that shop on the corner is brilliant!

[Elke Smits]

Allways inspiring to read your blog. It triggers me to begin new projects. Since last week i have my own blog. maybe you would like to take a look. http://lovelie-nl.blogspot.com/
I wish you a lot of inspiration, colors and sunshine to go on with your blog.
Kind regards from Holland..

[Ximena]

lucy beautiful photographs, I always read your blog
kisses from Uruguay