Dorset :: Spring 2013

I really love the first-trip-to-see-the-sea that we always make on our first morning in Dorset. As you can see, this year the sky was very very blue, the sun was very very bright but I tell you the air was very very cold indeed. It was absolutely freeeezing.

The weather stayed bitterly cold all week with a terrific wind blowing, but it didn't stop us getting out and about. We wrapped up in warm layers and made the most of being outdoors in the countryside and beside the sea.

The harbour at West Bay was as lovely as ever, full of jaunty, boaty goodness.

I love this little patch of a place so much, my childhood memories come flooding back each time I revisit.

 And of course, it is pure delight to witness my Little People layering their own childhood memories on top of my own.

We ambled out along the pier, J and I strolling, the Little People zooming on their scooters, and Little B running, climbing and jumping. It was very bright and breezy. Oh that breeze was something else. Thank goodness for my hat, I really loved my hat last week (well I love it every week).

After being buffeted along the pier and back, we headed back around the harbour to seek out some refreshment. The Watch House cafe is situated right on the shingle beach and is a pretty wonderful place to spend time eating and drinking. We braved the wind and sat out on the decking, soaking up the sunshine and listening to the waves crashing onto the shore.

Revived by my carrot cake and cappuccino, I ran down the shingle bank with the Little People, wheeeeeeeeeeeee all the way down to the sea (it's a steep bank! and I really did go wheeeeeeee!)

We walked back and forth, playing silly games and inspecting the flotsam and jetsam.

I love to see footprints in the freshly seawashed sand, especially my own.

And I love sitting my bottom down on sunwarmed shingle and immersing myself in the sights, smells and sounds of the sea.

But bestest of all, I like to lay myself down and have every single bit of my body in contact with the beach. I like it very, very much. I love being horizontal on the beach, like really adore it. The Little People tell me I'm a weirdo for lying down when not one single other person on the entire beach is lying down. But I tell them I do not care because I love it and that's all that matters.

When I was a little girl I used to be so in love with that pink house on the edge of the shingle. I used to fantasize about living there, about sleeping in that room with the little window in the rooftop looking out to sea. Wouldn't that be something?

Last week we visited our most favourite places, the places that we are drawn to time and time again during each of our visits to Dorset.

This is Eggardon Hill, a scenic high up place with deep ancestry. Usually the view looks glorious at Easter time, all green and golden, but this year it was extremely bleak looking.

There was a howling, biting wind and it was incredibly cold, but we had the best time up here. Somehow the extreme weather made it feel very exhilarating. It was wild! The Little People ran headlong into the force of the wind, marvelling at how it made their bodies work twice as hard. They ran up and down, up and down. It was such fun to watch them.

Although the temperature made it feel very much like the depths of winter, there were welcome signs of spring in the hedgerows. The little clumps of pale yellow primroses made me smile whenever I saw them.

We ventured out every day, and felt lucky that it stayed dry all week. It's pretty straightforward to cope with the cold really, adding extra layers under coats and keeping hats and gloves firmly in place.

The beaches were pretty much deserted and that suited me just fine. We enjoyed some wonderful, blustery walks along the shore at Burton with only a few hardy dog walkers for company.

My holiday hooky gave me a lot of pleasure last week, it was lovely working with these super-pretty and very spring like colours when the weather was so un spring like. This is a fabulous yarn called "Cotton On" by James C Brett, and I'm using it to make a liner for a new/old wicker basket I bought a few weeks ago. I should have it finished soon, I'll show you when it's done.

Funny looking at these pictures cos it looks like it could be scorching hot doesn't it? Don't be fooled, it was blinkin' freezing.

Despite the bitter cold, we packed a picnic and headed to St Catherines Chapel for an alfresco lunch.

I write about this place every year, so you probably know about it by now. You will know that J and I lay a blanket down in the shelter of the wall there under the window and allow the Little People to run riot.

We listen to them hollering inside, watch them appear and disappear as they circumnavigate the building a hundred million times at great speed.

It's such a beautiful, peaceful, contemplative place, and I frequently wonder what it would feel like without the boisterous, noisy soundtrack of my children? Would there be silence? The sound of doves cooing gently (there were two white doves nesting inside the chapel)? The sound of the wind?

I wonder if there will ever come a time when they visit this place and don't yell or run?

The sea is always a remarkable turquoise colour when seen from St Catherine's Chapel. I LOVE that colour so much, it is the colour of my soul you know. And lunch tasted delicious.

We had a good week. It was lovely to spend time with my family, and there is much that I haven't shared here. Lengthy pub lunches, lazy afternoons and evenings by the sea. Woodland and riverside walks, toy shops and wool shops and playgrounds. Time spent with parents, siblings, nephews. Time spent chatting and playing with the Little People.

The Little People played together really well for the most part. No television, no internet, no gaming devices. Just themselves and the space they found themselves in. It did us all good to be removed from technology for a week, although at times I did find myself wishing for it. Just a little.

Back home now, and surprisingly I am not pining for the sea. Very unusual! I was glad to come home actually, glad to return to our cosy, messy, scruffy, warm, colourful home.

J is back to work this week, so I am home with the Little People, easing myself gently back into homely routine. Which mainly consists of dealing with the endless dirty laundry and attempting to tidy up a little. Sigh. I wish I loved housework as much as I love holidays.

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 Edit to add :: a couple people have mentioned the current ITV drama "Broadchurch" which was indeed filmed on location at West Bay. I've only watched the first episode, it was a little unreal to see David Tennant strolling about in "my" patch!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Claire Read]

I live in Dorset and just spent a beautiful weekend staying in a farmhouse near west bay with friends, I am so blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the country. If you haven't been there yet you need to pay a visit to Lyme Regis. Its amazing and the little shop down the bottom of the hill do the most amazing roast pork rolls :)

[sarah edwards]

Lucy, I also spent my childhood holidays in West Bay... a beautiful spot... despite the pebbly beach! I loved the rock shops..My granny owned the woolshop in Beaminster which is where I learnt to knit and crochet - sitting watching her sell endless balls of colourful wool.
Loving your website - I visit often :)

[portrait of a lady]

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[Tasnim]

Dear Lucy,

Visiting your blog always sets my soul aright.
The joy that arrives with the color therapy from viewing your creations. The peacefulness that comes from viewing the photos of your environs. And the tenderness in my heart when I read your words about the sweetness you experience from being with your children. Ah, thank you Lucy!

[Kay Sutton]

Lucy I was amazed to see your pictures of West Bay, I grew up there and my parents still live there and my children and I go down when we can. I too have lovely memories of going on West beach. Glad you enjoyed your holidays, Kay

[Lynda M O]

A marvelous Dorset holiday to welcome late-arriving Spring looks like just the right holiday for your family. I love that you vacationed there amidst the waves as a child and now tradition continues with your next generation of seaside lovers. Thank you for sharing with us your pictures and vignettes.

[emma from toadstool tales]

On the plus side it's always nice to see David Tennant strolling about anywhere! Love photos and can't wait to see the wicker basket in it's ripply gorgeousness. I've just finished my first ripple for my eldest. I've been trying to sort the border but its still a little wonky ... He doesn't seem to mind though and wrestles it away at every given opportunity. I would like to say huge thanks to you as it is entirely your pattern and I loved doing it. Emma x

[Rumpledbetty]

Your last sentence made me smile. I wish I loved housework better than holidays too. Or better than knitting, or crocheting, or gardening or reading or ... anything really except for work! But then a bit messy and scruffy feels like home doesn't it?
Lovely blue skies in your photos. Your blog is great!

[Sew Create It - Jane]

Absolutely gorgeous pictures...I feel like I've been on holiday with you! :o) It was a strange couple of weeks over the break with the light been so summer-like, but the weather being winter-like... I think someone forgot to turn the spring/summer switch on for the UK!

[Susan]

Wish I could see Broadchurch but it won't stream on netflix (instant movies on laptop in the US), BUT I am watching Doc Martin, a series filmed in Cornwall (Port Isaac). Lovely. And a great series to boot. What a curmudgeon!! :-D

[Wendy]

Wonderful post, Lucy. Enjoyed it so much. I think that it is wonderful that you go on these family holidays and walks. I know from experience that as children grow they do have their on agendas and are not as interested in family outings, but these outings will be among their happiest memories. They will never forget them. What better gift can you give?

Wendy in New Hampshire

[Andrina T]

If you ever tire of hooking (perish the thought!) you'll have a backup career as a photographer. The shot of the sunbeams hitting the beach is stunning! I'm sure though it was bracing cold, it was soooo much fun to slope up and down the hills and run the beach. It actually reminds me a bit of the beaches in Washington and Oregon-windy and cold but lovely nonetheless. How incredible that you have a centuries-old catherdral there just open to enjoy like that. :) I think on your next visit to Dorset you need to go in the "pink house" and see what the view is like from the upstairs window!

[Gillian]

It looks like a really wonderful, happy break. Time with family is the best sort of holiday. x

[Sheryl]

Love these pictures, they take me back. We used to visit friends of my mum and dads who owned The Queens Head pub in one of the roads coming away from the beach. I have walked on that beach so many times with some of my most favourite people. I haven't been back for a few years, I really must go.....x Sigh..

[Linda]

I was watching Broadchurch and suddenly realised that the town sequences were filmed in Clevedon where my daughter lives! Very good continuity as Clevedon Beach is lovely in its own way (Bristol Channel, big rocks, muddy water) but not comparable to West Bay,

[Carol Wilkie]

I was just thinking that it reminded me of "Broadchurch" on itv then I got to the end of your blog. Lovely holiday Carol W

[Chessy]

Thank you Lucy for sharing your break in Dorset! Though my dad grew up in North Dorset (Shaftesbury), his mother's family are all from around Bridport. Lovely to see pictures of a familiar place we still visit every summer, and wonderful timing (on your part) for me to remember my much missed Great Granny Clarke who, having spent almost her whole 103 years in and around Bridport, passed away in April 2003. Stunning pictures. Thanks once again. x

[CJ]

Wool shops, now you're talking. I love Dorset, although i'm not familiar with your bit of it. It does all look stunning. And oh, to live in that pink house.

[Holly]

Absolutely amazing photos, as always Lucy! You inspire me. I would love to visit England someday.
And David Tennant strolling about on your turf??? *swoons* I'm a rabid Whovian and it has morphed into anything with DT in it I think!

I'm also dropping by to let you know that I have nominated you and your gorgeous blog for the Leibster award on my blog.
http://hollymarieknits.blogspot.com/2013/03/liebster-award.html
I don't know if you do awards, if not that is quite okay. No preassure!

Thanks again for sharing your Holiday with us!

Have a beautiful day!
Holly

[Cassandra]

What beautiful pictures! It looks like you had a lovely vacation.

[Kyla]

Very beautiful! I'm in love with the chapel. I'll be honest by saying the name Dorset caught my attention. I live in Canada, a stone's throw away from Dorset, Ontario. It looks nothing like the Dorset in your pictures, but it is gorgeous as well.

[JANE ELLIOT]

I'm one of the hardy dog walkers of West Bay too!( as mentioned in a previous comment) I've been watching Broadchurch and it is a little strange seeing west bay , but not as it really is, (I think the inland shots where done in Bristol)
quite strange to see my home turf on your blog, I live on west bay road and walk the dog around the harbour and on the piers everyday .so nice to see it on your blog.

[Elaine]

Beautiful photos of what seems to have been a restful holiday. Thanks for sharing your little patch of the world!

[Katrina]

Beautiful post! Glad you all had a great time.

I had to chuckle, as I also wish that enjoyed housecleaning as much as a holiday. I have a visual picture of myself washing dishes yelling all the while, "Weeeeeeeeeeee!!!!" LOL!

Have you ever thought to go to the owners of the pink house, and just ask for a quick minute to look through the window? I'd be too chicken, and wouldn't want to bother them myself, but the thought did cross my mind. Perhaps a bolder person....

Greetings from Katrina in Oklahoma, USA

[Dianne Davis]

I feel I have been on holiday with you. Lovely photos.
Dianne - Hereford