Dorset Summer 2013 :: part 2

:: DAY 4 ::

Visiting the beautiful Subtropical Gardens at Abbotsbury has become something of an annual ritual for us. It's one of those places that happily pleases all five members of the Attic clan and delivers a good dose of fresh air, gentle exercise and happy family time.

The gardens are set in 20 acres, a mixture of heavily wooded areas, densely planted areas, and neat enclosed lawny areas. Lots of trees, lots of plants and some picturesque watery bits. I loved this break in the trees (and these were some mega-big gigantic trees) offering a glimpse of the surrounding countryside.

As is our usual routine, we made our way slowly up the Magnolia Walk to the view point at the top of the hill to see the sweep of Chesil beach laid out below. There are benches up here, and it makes for a very scenic picnic spot, oh I do love to eat my lunch with a sea view.

Winding pathways, walkways, steps, bridges, pavilions, ponds and sculpture make it interesting to explore, even when you've been here a few times before. These willow deer were new this year and looked lovely in the dappled sunlight.

On a hot summers day, it is deliciously refreshing in the midst of the gardens, with an abundance of leafy greenery all around.

We all love the scale of these gardens. So much of the planting is extremely mature (ie ancient) and enormous in size. Giant bamboos, humongous tree ferns, extraordinarily tall trees and outlandishly large leaves towered and swayed above our heads.

This fallen tree carving was so beautifully and skillfully done, it had us captivated as we walked around and around it. One side showed a dog chasing a fox, and the other side.......

....showed an enchanting river scene. It was charming.

In the middle of the gardens there is a series of small ponds, streams, waterfalls and bridges. It is very picturesque and would have been very tranquil if it weren't for my three Little People running and yelling all over the place. They expended a lot of energy trip trapping at speed over this little red wooden bridge. To the mature couple who were sat on a nearby bench hoping for a peaceful outlook, I guess we totally ruined it for you, sorry.

It was lovely to see lots of butterflies fluttering about the place, and I had fun trying to identify them with my newly acquired Butterfly Knowledge. Aside from the usual suspects, we saw a Speckled Wood and this pretty Fritillary, although I'm not sure quite what sort of Fritillary it was as it refused to show us the underside of it's wings, naughty thing.

The Little People were most keen to find the lily ponds which they all remembered fondly from last year, even Little B.

We spent a long time here feeding the huge fish. It made Little B squeal with excited shock when one came unexpectedly right up to the surface and nibbled food straight from his fingers. The fish ponds are fairly near the end of the trail, so after the nibbling and squealing it was a short jaunt through the Mediterranean gardens and back around to The Colonial Restaurant for a refreshment stop. Coffee and cake for the grown ups (the most scrumptious slab of coffee and walnut cake, just so you can picture it), juice and homemade cookies for the Little People. Then the obligatory final stop at the children's play area (the slide here is pretty super-duper, being built into the side of a small hill and therefore unusually high/long).

We trooped out of the gardens in the sunny warmth of the late afternoon, then went back to base to pack up the evening meal................

....which was to be a beach barbecue (my turn to squeal with delight!) I just love love love (lovelovelove) to do this thing with my family, and each year it turns out to be one of my best-most-favourite bits of my whole holiday (it was Little B's best bit too, he told me this very morning, bless).

We choose Eype beach always. It is a very special kind of a place, a completely unspoilt  pebble beach with zero facilities. Just beach and pebbles and cliff and sky, with a smattering of other like minded people dotted about. And fishermen. Always fishermen. It is super peaceful and very relaxing here, and the most brilliant place to witness the close of day. As usual, we carted a whole load of baggage down onto the beach from the car via the steep steps down from the cliff top, but it is always worth it. My job is to put up our beach tent and see to the blankets, and J's job is to make fire. That man loves bbq cooking, and I am more than happy to leave this job to him. All I have to do is see to the bread products, condiments and accompaniments, oh and the drinkies.....

...oooooooooo-mmmmmmmm my favourite bubbly tipple! As we were joined here by my Dad and Lady B, we splashed out and bought fizz. It was such a delightful way to spend time, honestly, I can't tell you how happy I felt. Chatting with family, watching the LP play, sipping cold prosecco, inhaling the scent of charcoal and sizzling burgers, listening to the sound of the waves and watching the ever changing sky. Excellent, on all levels.

Actually, we had a weeny bit of a setback with the charcoal and sizzling thing, in that the charcoal didn't really light very well and the sizzling was very short lived. Luckily, J (who was clearly driven by hunger) refused to give in and sent the Little People off on an emergency driftwood gathering mission. They came back with a plentiful supply of dry wood and J used his impressive man-makes-fire skills to get the whole show back on the road. So our Aberdeen Angus burgers were a little late getting to the bread rolls, but oh my, they tasted absolutely, incredibly DEeeeeeeelicious, with a wonderful wood-smoke flavour. A very memorable meal for sure.

The changing skies are  a constant source of pleasure to me, both at home and on holiday. I am a real sky/cloud/light lover.

Combine the sky/clouds/light with the sight and sound of the sea and I am in heaven. I could honestly sit and gaze and contemplate for hours, I love the way I can totally feel my whole body and soul breathe out and unwind when I am beside the sea.

I want to share what I saw as daylight drifted away and the twilight descended.......

.......sigh. Such gorgeousness. We were on the beach for about five hours that evening, staying until it was dark and the first stars were twinkling above. Note to self :: next time, bring a torch. It was rather tricksy packing up the tent in the dark, not to mention the walk back along the beach and up the side of the cliff.

I made my wish upon a star (does anyone else do this?) and I am hoping, hoping my wish will come true. I'll let you know in due course xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Namari]

I just do not know how to tell you how happy reading your blog makes me. I am South African and have always dreamt of living in England - which is totally out of the question now at 66 years of age - but with you, I live there every day! Also, I have been slightly depressed for most of my life but find that since I started reading your blog, the sun of happiness is shining more often and with more strength every day! Bless you for what your lovely blog is doing for your readers!

[Cathy in Maryland]

"Sigh" is right! Gorgeous sunset, beautiful water.

[Anna]

Such calming pictures... and meditative moo din your photos... glad you had such enjoyable holidays, Lucy. Blessings to you and yours!

[Angela @Little Apple Tree]

I love the way you write, Lucy. It really draws me into the post.

The gardens you visited look amazing. I'm always a fan of wandering around some gardens when we're on holiday. We did the Eden Project while we were in Cornwall and saw some incredible plants. Not quite the same as wandering through a huge and long-established garden, though! Love the carvings on the fallen tree-lovely little touch!

[kate dircksen]

Howdy very nice blog!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I'll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally? I am happy to search out numerous helpful info right here within the post, we need develop extra strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

[GretchenCantoni]

Star light, Star bright, First Star I see tonight,
Wish I may, Wish I might, Have the Wish I wish tonight.

That's what I always think when I see the first stars. I'm sure my grown kids would think I was a nut!!!

Great blog as usual!!!

[irene]

What do u do if u have to use the bathroom? And start the charcoal in a chimney no lighter fluid, pack a spotlight to, :-) we luv to have cookouts to, so much fun:-) sounds like u had a blast.

[Madelaine]

Love the pics. Spent some very happy summer hols in Eype in a caravan and have walked down to the beach there. Who can forget walking along Golden Cap. Wish I was back there now!

[Chelsey]

Wow, Eype beach looks so nice. The sunset photos are especially nice.
Glad to see you all enjoyed your holiday.

[Linda]

Beautiful photos that bring back happy memories of family holidays in Dorset.
My hubby thinks your butterfly is a Silver-Washed Fritillary from the shape of the wings.

[Jane]

Enjoyed your latest post immensely. I just love when I see your crocheted blankets peeking out of some of the pictures also. Your wish, now I'm just guessing here...but...was it to live in the country? Anyways, I just know that I will never in person see your part of the world but I do see it thru your pics which I thank you for.

[Alicia]

I wish on the first star I see all the time. Someday my wish will come true. :) I hope all your wishes come true too.

[Godelieve]

I love reading your blog, especially how you can bring a story alive it's like being with you. Just amazing. You always have a positive outlook on things,
and the pictures are great!
Whenever I read your new posts, it's a wonderful break from the daily grind. Thank you so much, Lucy

[simona]

really charming pictures! I wish I were there!!

[Tonia]

I did my first event barbecuing this year - there really is no better way to taste food. Corn on the cob was a revelation!
Beautiful photos - especially the sequence at sunset.

[Sara J]

Looks perfect - especially as I am reading your post as heavy rain is coming down. I love the sound it makes on the conservatory roof - but would quite like it to stop now! x

[Sonia Petitpoint]

It looks beautiful !

[Dorothy Griffiths]

Hi Lucy such wonderful photographs thanks so much. Sitting here in a chilled room after all our sunshine your pictures bring so many wonderful images to mind. A great post Lucy as always
Lots of love
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Thomasina Tittlemouse]

Gorgeous pics Lucy, especially of Eype. My favourite pic of all is the one with your gorgeous patchwork granny square blanket spread out on the pebbles with the sea and early evening horizon beyond. It just breathes all that's best about summer in England. Glad you had such a lovely holiday - the stuff of memories and dreams! E x

[Bonnie]

So pretty Lucy.
I remember your previous posts of this place...it is weird to think I have been a regular visitor and commentator of your lovely blog for a good 3 or 4 maybe years at least? Always have enjoyed it and hearing about your world and holidays which in a way is very similar to mine! I too love the sea, the smells and sights, love light, photo's, my family, capturing everyday moments that are otherwise forgotten or taken for granted.

I wonder what it is you wished for???

[Lynda]

Oh Lucy what wonderful pictures you share,it just reminds me to think how lucky l am to live near the sea and countryside in Weymouth.

[Tanya Williams]

One of these photos looks like your in new Zealand with the ferns great looking at the good holiday you had.

[Anna-Marie Field]

Hi Lucy,I loved this post!!!It's hard to believe that tropical gardens like can survive the harsh UK winter weather!!!It's beautiful!!!Loved your supper BBQ on the beach and really there is nothing better than a stunning sunset!!!And with family and a BBQ it's quite perfect!!!Have a great day!!!
Love
AMarie

[wendy]

Beautiful pictures Lucy and nice enjoying along with you ☺

[J]

Your pictures and words just sweep me away they are just so enchanting!!! Love those carved trees and your pictures of the beach picnic were lovely, I can hear your love for the sea and your family in your words. Feels like it was a magical time for you thanks for sharing it.