Dorset Summer 2013 :: part 3

 

:: DAY 5 ::

When we holiday as a family, we each have different things that float our boat. For me, it is the sea (obvious really), plus I am very partial to lovely cafés. And if I can squeeze in a smidge of retail therapy as well, then my holiday is complete. For the Little People, it is activity of any sort ie swinging, running, jumping, climbing, sliding, spinning, bouncing. So playgrounds are an obvious choice, as are hills and the beach/sea. Oh, and they too are partial to a little bit of retail therapy so we always take them to The Toy Shop to spend their pocket money when we visit Bridport. And ice creams, yes almost forgot those, they are pretty high on the LP list of holiday must-haves. As for J, he hasn't ever verbalised this, but his thing seems to be High Up Places. In other words, big hills with scenery and views.

So when we are starting each holiday day, assessing the weather and deciding what to do with ourselves, we try hard to cater for us all. And if we can't do it all in one go, then we make plans to do two or three things in one day. I love that we do long days when we are on holiday as we are usually out and about quite early and our plans generally include going somewhere to eat our evening meal. On day 5 we spent the morning pootling around Bridport, then the afternoon at my Mums messing about by the river. But there was also an evening plan (hoorray!), a plan made by J to allow us to get up high and take in some scenery.

This is the familiar summertime view from the top of Eggardon hill where we visit every time we come to Dorset. It has become one of those places that we always find time to come to and our memories are layering up nicely here. Before the Little People were born, J and I used to pack a picnic and embark on a rather strenuous eight mile hike around these hills and valleys. But these days the main aim of the game is to sit, eat something yummy and admire the view while the Little People throw themselves up and down the grassy slopes.

For most visitors, Eggardon Hill is a Scene Of Historic Importance. It has these amazing ridges that run around the side of the hill, where once upon a time in the dim distant past it was an Iron Age hill fort. For us, Eggardon is a place to picnic, soak up the scenery and play. The ridges and ditches make an excellent play arena for Little People, although this year there seemed to be rather a lot of little stinging nettles hidden in the grass which scuppered things a bit. For Big People, the ditches provide great shelter from the the wind (it's always breezy up here) and an ideal picnic spot if you don't mind creepy crawlies too much.

We were up here in the early evening and as usual it was a beautiful way for us to end our day. The light was golden, the picnic was scrummy and the playtime was fun. Can you spot Little Man in the above picture? He is hiding from us (we were playing hide and seek) but I just managed to catch sight of his head bobbing up from behind the ridge. Happy times.

Oh you have to go look at this...I was searching for an aerial view of Eggardon to show you the ridges, and I found a set of pictures taken by a man who attaches his camera to a kite string, how cool is that?! Kite Aerial Photography, wow, who would have thought it?! Go see here, it's fab.

:: DAY 6 ::

This was our last day, a day to squeeeeze in as much as possible before we packed the car and headed back to Yorkshire in the evening. We decided on a trip to Abbotsbury Childrens Farm, as even though I begged for a trip to the beach, I was outvoted 4-1. Harrumph. So off we went to have lots of child-centric fun in this scenic place.

As children's play areas go though, this one is pretty beautiful it has to be said. It is set in the grounds of an ancient monastery, with the old tithe barn now housing a pretty good children's soft play area and various out buildings now housing animals.

The outdoor play areas here are great , and as well as these hay bales my Little Peeps also very much enjoyed the ride-on toy tractors. Little Man is way too big for them now, but he joined in by pushing Little B around at great speed, and their noisy laughter and chatter made me very happy. For older children, there are a number of beautifully designed wooden play things dotted around the place. It's hard to describe them really but they are a cross between a swing and a seesaw (a bit like a giant pair of weighing scales) and kept the LP entertained for ages.

There aren't a huge number of animals at this farm (a couple of fat sleeping pigs, a stable of ponies,  a few gorgeously lofty looking alpaca and a small herd of goats), but they are lovely all the same.

I was particularly entranced by the birds in the small aviary, they were really lovely. Lots of brightly coloured budgerigars, but my favourite were the lovebirds.

Awwww, they were delightful! So pretty and so loved up with each other ♥

And lets not forget the guinea pig barn, oh these little balls of fur are just sooooo cute. The Little People enjoyed holding and feeding them very much, and we remembered how last year when we visited it prompted us to finally become pet owners ourselves. Almost a year on we dearly love our two little piggies Pip and Lola, they are a delight and I would highly recommend guinea pigs to anyone looking for child friendly pets.

Getting in to the farm is quite an expensive business really to be honest. Our method is to take a packed lunch with us, say a firm NO to the perils of the well stocked gift shop and allow one ice cream/drink per child. Little Lady chose to trade in her ice cream for a pony ride and she thoroughly enjoyed her short jaunt on the back of the handsome Casper.

When we visited the farm last year, we managed to find a shady, grassy spot to eat our picnic, but this year we decided to put in a little effort and get out of the farm for lunch. It was extremely busy at the farm and there is only so much I can take of other people's children. I saw so many tantrums, and heard such a lot of hot and bothered Mummies sounding off that I was actually quite glad to make an exit. From the farm, we followed the footpath and climbed up the steep hill to one of J's favourite High-up-places........

....St Catherines Chapel. I know I've often written about the times we've been up here (eg. at Easter), and the formula pretty much stays the same time after time.

J and I sit and admire the expansive and very beautiful coastal view, and the Little People run riot. And somewhere in between I try and get us all to eat a picnic lunch.

The chapel was as lovely as ever, and when I managed to zone out and ignore the hullabaloo my offspring were making, it was an incredibly peaceful and rather magical place to be. The very air inside the building seems to hum with history, and the views out to the surrounding Dorset countryside are wonderful.

As nice as it is up at the chapel, the sea was really just too far away for the likes of me. The day felt like it was ebbing away and suddenly I felt a very strong urge to go and sit on the beach. So we left Abbotsbury and drove back along the coast road to make a last stop at Burton. Sigh. It was lovely. Just lovely. The Little People had ice lollies and I had a take out coffee which I took down onto the beach. All I wanted to do was sit and breathe it all in, breathe as much of the sea air into my body and soul as I could. Breeeeeathe, and hold it all in.

We enjoyed such a great week, it had just the right balance to it. It was relaxing, and just what I needed before the frantic pace of September kicks in. I often wonder how my Little People will remember these holidays of their childhood, and I hope with all my heart that we are making good memories for them. I hope they don't mind the repetitiveness of it, or the fact that there is never a lot in the way of thrills or huge excitements in their holidays. No aeroplanes or theme parks or vast swimming pools, no attractions or museums or glitzy entertainments. Just simple pleasures.

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Comments

[Kathryn]

Lucy, I wonder if you can help. I appreciate that you get a squillion comments a day on your fabulous blog (you clever lady!!) but this seems like a "If Lucy doesn't know, then noone will..." kind of a query. It has nothing to do with yarn or crochet or otherwise!

I'm looking to buy a picture for my friend's 40th. She holidays in Corfe Castle every year with her family and loves the Dorset coastline. I love Julia Crossland's pics (thank you :) ) and want something in that vein, but obviously Dorset. I wondered if you or your parents knew of anyone I could look at? I've googled but so far to no avail. Which is frustrating. I'm a demon googler..

Hope you read this!

[Jane]

You know, we have been lucky enough to do some of the big theme parks and big thrills with our children.They're only a couple of years older than yous (yes we have 3 too), but you know what? The things they remember and talk about mostly are when we've done the sort of holidays like the one you've just described.

[Liz]

gorgeous pictures! Looks like a wonderful holiday. Thanks for sharing.

[ramthuntm11]

your kids will remember these lovely holidays fondly I'm sure...the simple things in life are the best...you seem to have a wonderful time wherever you go and whatever you do...I continue to love reading your blog and look forward to the next page...thanks, Tina in Michigan, USA

[Sew and Sews Too]

I want your holidays :)

[Kate]

Just back from a quick visit to Bridders.Going down on Friday afternoon the air was so clear the view from the Dorchester/Bridport road was possibly the best I have ever seen it. My favourite drive of all time! West Bay on chilly,windy Sunday morning- stood on top of the shingle heap with my great-nephew letting the wind inflate our jackets and trousers before heading to the Watch-house for breakfast.Goodness, but I love it down there.

[Sue]

Wow!! It all looks wonderful, I've just been having a catch up and your photos are brilliant, they totally capture a lovely family fun filled Summer.

[Carole C]

Lovely post...well all three holiday posts were lovely. The last few years when we lived in UK,Dorset and Cornwall were the places we would holiday, out of high season...usually September or October,occasionally in the spring.
I love living where I do now in France,but we are a long drive from the coast and I miss the sea...that smell, the sound...everything about it. Cx

[Liz]

Totally understand. We go to the north Norfolk coast every year, as I did as a kid. I feel that same sense of inner peace as I first see the sea. We do see lots of my family, from both sides, either those who (luckily!) live there and those who visit. Oddly I feel that sense of calm and coming home there more than I do in the village in west yorks where I grew up and my parents still live. Go figure!

Lovely pics as always :)

[Ali Dufty]

Lovely holiday posts. Trust me , your children will remember and cherish your memory -making moments :)) Happy days !

[Bonnie]

Hi Lucy! what lovely memories you are creating for your family! I am sure they will recall with fondness as will you!

[Ali whale]

We went to the Lake District every year when I was young. I remember lots of rain and playing a lot of Patience. But the lasting legacy is that if you show me a lakeland peak I can name it, mainly because as a family we climbed them all. I remember climbing Helvelyn in shorts, a bikini top and some M&S trainers! Simple but fantastic memories. The bonus is that passing on these pleasures to the next generation is easy, comforting and allows them to share what made them happy and that's really good for the soul.

[M]

It is always such a pleasure to visit your blog and see the beautiful photos! I was wondering if you allow your readers to sell items that they make from your crochet patterns?

[Anne Bebbington]

No theme parks etc etc.......... but lots of lovely mummy and daddy time all together which they will always remember and cherish when they have children and grandchildren of their own and you are no longer around - never underestimate the value of that

[Tonia]

Oh no, you couldn't have had the last day with no beach stop! Glad you had such a wonderful time.

[Lynne Gill]

Gorgeous post, Lucy, and great photos. And thank you for the link to the Kite Arial Photography, it was fascinating.

[Sophie Philpot]

You have just taken me back to my holiday, earlier in the year, we stayed in Weymouth, but visited a few of the places you did. Thank you for the lovely pictures. Since then we also have gained 2 guinea-pigs, thanks to Abbotsbury Children's farm. Oh and great tip if you get Tesco club card vouchers- they are accepted here, so make it much cheaper. We go back in 3 weeks, I am sooooooooo incredibly excited!

[Corinna]

I love reading about your day to day adventures. We also enjoy the simple pleasures and making family memories in that way. I live in Australia but spent a year in England several years ago. Your blog not only inspired me to blog more of my day to day happenings and learn to crotchet but brings back so so so many fabulous memories of our time in England.

[Trisch]

I think you are making wonderful memories with your children. I enjoy your blog so very much. Thank you for all the lovely pictures of a country I would so love to visit some day! I found your blog a few years back because of some crochet project I was searching for, so thank you also for all the fun things I have made because of your great tutorials. I think I will sign off now, because I am sounding gushy! : )

[jeannette]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sophiecallaghan/sets/72157608788953815/with/3015102153/

sophie callaghan miller made the most beautiful psychogeography map blanket. and posed for a picture wearing it high atop a hill overlooking your beautiful english countryside. it electrified me with makey magic and your vacation views reminded me of her beautiful work.
thank you.

[Sophie]

My holidays were spent traipsing around NT houses and the brilliant English/Welsh countryside, and I can honestly say it's given me a very solid love of this country and all of our history and nature. So I daresay some of what you inspire in your holidays will trickle into your young ones heads as well. What a lovely account Lucy!

[annie]

Ah I feel like I've been on vaction too! Thank you.
On an unrelated note I just found a video on youtube about how to join yarn with a double knot AND YOU HAVE NO ENDS TO DARN IN! Thought of you immediately. It is called How to join your yarn by making a double knot and it is by Jane Richmond.
http://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=-nq_7EXTWHE I tried it and it worked! I HATE darning in the ends. Who doesn't?

[Sher]

Stick with the simple stuff - I was always AMAZED at the amount of $$ other people spent on their grand vacations while ours were simple and repetitive. Now that the youngest is 17, I've asked them over and over again if the places we went for vacation were good memories for them. The middle two boys said they loved it all but did remark that there were too many museums for their liking (me, their dad and the oldest and youngest on the other hand could never have too many museums). The beaches with no boardwalks, no rides, and no fancy meals were just fine with them - just family, sand, sun, games, meals together - they all still like that best. Camping trips were a fond memory for every one. We are probably the only family in the USA whose kids HAVEN'T been to Disney. None of them seem to care that we never did the Disney thing. The youngest remarked that on the first day of school every year, the teacher ALWAYS asks... who went to Disney this summer. Many hands go up - then, who has been to Disney in their lifetime, ALL raise their hands, all except my son. He always hated that, the stares, the chuckles, but still said he couldn't care less about not having gone to Disney (nothing bad about Disney - it just wasn't important to us).

[Ada Bea]

Well it sounds like you've had a fab holiday! Just what you needed.....think you're going to be very busy for the next couple of weeks! :) x

[Jacki]

Thank you for sharing so beautifully the things you love about Dorset. I've never been to England, but would absolutely love to do so. You're artistic eye and wonderful descriptions give me a way to enjoy it from afar. Your children will cherish the memories of these places and good times.