We spent five days down in Dorset last week, it's such a familiar routine for us as year after year it's generally the same. I've been heading "home" for Easter ever since I left to go off to art college when I was 18. I remember with great clarity and fondness my very first visit with J in 1994 (we were both 25) when I introduced him to my home turf and also my parents (isn't that a heart-jumping, memorable thing?!) Like I say we've been back pretty much every Easter since, it's always great family time for us and I look forward to it loads.
We never quite know what the weather is going to throw at us at this time of year, it can be very unpredictable. We pack a whole assortment of layers and footwear and try to cater for extremes of temperature and wetness. Some years it has been scorching hot, other years wet, cold and gloomy, but mostly we end up with something of a mixed bag.
On the morning of our first day we always head to straight to the sea no matter what the weather. We treat ourselves to breakfast at the Watchhouse in West Bay which is one of my most favourite cafes in the whole wide world. The food is delicious and the atmosphere casual, relaxed and perfectly holidayish. Breakfast is followed by a stroll around the familiar harbour and a promenade out along the pier to breathe in the salty sea air and take in the beautiful coastline.
As is our usual style, we never make plans for our week in Dorset. It's such a luxury to start each day with a completely free agenda. I love to wake up each morning, throw open the curtains, take in the weather and feel completely free to use the day in whatever way takes our fancy.
If the weather obliges, we spend as much time as we can outside. We like to pootle and amble, stroll and wander as the mood takes us. We prefer gentle activity and relaxation to full on days of excursions and activities. We love sea views and eating as many meals as possible al fresco, enjoying life's simple pleasures. And I'm happy to say that the Dorset coastline provides all this in abundance, it is such a happy, relaxing, joyful place to spend time.
As you can see, we were terrifically lucky with the weather last week and were treated to days of clear blue skies and gorgeous Spring sunshine. The above photos were taken on Easter Monday when we decided to walk the short coastal path over the cliff tops from West Bay to one of our favourite beaches at Eype. The cliffs are pretty high in places and the views out along the coastline are incredible from up here.
I love love love picnicking, it makes me so happy! The idea of walking somewhere simply to find the perfect little spot to spread out a blanket, sit, relax and eat lunch is such a simple, lovely thing to do in my opinion. When we packed the car up in Yorkshire ready for our trip, I couldn't resist sneaking in my coastal ripple blanket to come along with us, it felt a weeny bit crazy to be treating a blanket like an additional member of the family, asking it kindly if it would like to "go home for a visit?"! But home it came, back to the place where it's yarny life began last year and it gave me a ridiculous amount of pleasure to lounge about with those ripples whilst listening to the sound of the waves.
West Bay was looking as lovely as ever in the late afternoon sun, but my goodness me, it was absolutely rammed to the gills with visitors during Easter Weekend. I don't think I've ever seen it quite so busy and I'm thinking the "Broadchurch Effect" has indeed happened. I truly love this little harbour though, it continues to have a special place in my heart.
We visited some of our favourite picnic spots last week, taking full advantage of the glorious weather.
Abbotsbury village is a real Dorset gem, picturesque and quaint and bursting with visual charm....
....and no trip to Dorset is complete without a climb up this grassy slope to the ancient and scenic St Catherine's Chapel.
We love it up here, it is such a peaceful and unspoilt place to while away an hour or two. We spread a picnic blanket out on the grass, lean our backs against the sun warmed old stone walls and take in the vast sea views. When I say "we", I generally mean J and I as the Little Peeps do not sit up here at all. They swoop in for picnic food like three hungry seagulls, tearing off and away, shovelling food into their mouths as they go. It's always the same, the open space and breezy skies up here seems to activate a strong desire to run and make a rather embarrassingly large amount of noise, yes, always the same each and every year.
On our drive back from Abbotsbury, we took a very spur of the moment detour off the main coast road, winding our way down to the little village of West Bexington. I recalled a distant memory of coming here a few times as a teenager to dog-walk with my friend's family, but couldn't remember an awful lot about the village. Turns out that it's tiny and rather lovely, with a stunning hotel/restaurant and an extremely quirky little beach side cafe run by an equally quirky little lady of maturing years. There is a small car park and rather wonderfully when you have children and also are rather full of coffee oneself, some Public Conveniences in which to take a pee (!) Yes, these things do make all the difference you know, as this is a super-wide unspoilt expanse of exposed shingle beach with nowhere to hide if you need to go (which is the distinct downside of my other favourite beach at Eype)
The beach here is part of Chesil beach, which is a pretty special place. It is 18 miles long and apparently contains 180 billion pebbles, of which I delighted in holding a teensy fraction in the palm of my hand. The sound of the waves moving in and out over the shingle is so mesmerising and soothing, it's one of the most beautiful sounds I know. During our stay in Dorset, we visited West Bexington beach three times, we couldn't get enough of this newly discovered, special slice of coastline.
When in Dorset, the sea air always takes me by surprise, it has a very particular scent which I adore. You can honestly smell the sea on the breeze and it happens to be extremely soporific. Oh my goodness, Dorset air makes me sooooo sleepy! Not just me either, but the whole family, and during our week we fall into an early to bed, early to rise routine. Waking early (5.30-6am) means we get to sit in bed sipping mugs of steaming hot tea whilst crocheting/reading and waiting for the sun to rise. It's a wonderful way to start the day.
I did loooooooooooooads of crochet last week, oh it was bliss! During the early mornings and early evenings I would sit in my Mum's old chair by the back door, or in bed in my old childhood bedroom, hooking up squares for my new Harmony blanket. These are such cute squares to make, I'm loving doing them. I'm working in groups of 14 (which is one vertical strip), with each square having five rounds.
The above picture shows the first 28 squares (2 strips), although I've since added two more strips, it's looking good! There will be 9 strips in total (126 squares), then a lovely colourful border to finish it all off.
On Wednesday last week we were met with another gloriously sunny Spring day and decided to pack up a picnic and head along the coast as far as Weymouth.
I've not been here since my childhood days and my memory of it was a little hazy. It's a bustling, traditional seaside resort with a long promenade and wide sandy beach and I thought the Little People might enjoy it.
We parked the car near the marina and strolled down to the harbour admiring the many boats and expensive looking yachts.
The town was as bustling as I remembered it, crowded even.
There were parts of the harbour that were charming....
....but truthfully the busy beach and abundance of Tourist Attractions didn't really do it for us. The Little People didn't like it either, which surprised me but secretly, deep down I gave a little whoop of joy to myself. Just like me, it seems they had fallen in love with the quiet, unspoilt West Bexington and couldn't wait to leave the hustle and bustle of Weymouth behind.
Weymouth is a sizeable town, and behind the facade of the busy promenade there are some very nice little shopping streets.....
....pretty cute for a main shopping street don't you think?! There was some holiday spending money burning a few holes in little pockets, so after one or two (miraculously speedy) shop stops we came out with a Lego book and a charm bracelet and two smiley Little Peeps. J and I stopped to purchase a traditional wind break and wooden mallet (don't we know how to spoil ourseleves), and Little Man wisely chose to keep a hold of his precious cash in his pockets, saved for another day.
Ah yes, here we have the classic stripes of a good ol' windbreak - an essential bit of seaside kit here in the UK. It turned out to be a very good purchase indeed on this bright and breezy day as we were back at the lovely West Bex beach for an evening of this..........
.....sunset appreciation.........
.........and a barbecue dinner. This has become something of a family tradition for us when we visit Dorset, although as far as I can remember we've never had warm enough weather to do this at Easter before. We invite my Dad and Lady B to join us and J cooks up a very good beefy dinner for us all over white hot coals. I didn't take all that many pictures, but please do feel free to picture me wrapped up in crochet blankets with a cup of chilled white wine in one hand, a delicious jalapeno spiced burger going down nicely in the other hand, the sound of happy family banter on top of the sound of the sea, a glorious sunset and a huuuuuuuuge smile on my face. Talk about being in my happy place. AND best of all there was a place to go when I needed to go!!!!!!!!!!!! I felt a bit disloyal to Eype, but really, the convenience of the conveniences gives West Bexington the edge. Sorry Eype.
The Little People were beside themselves with our continuing tradition of making English S'mores when we cook outside (toast a marshmallow over the bbq coals until it is hot, golden and oozing, them squidge it between two chocolate digestive biscuits so that the chocolate melts....) they ate so many!! They are too sweet for me, but the LP absolutely adore them.
We stayed on the beach until 9pm, snuggled up in blankets and keeping warm around the barbecue coals, not wanting the day to end. At this time of year, 9pm is dark and the night sky is already sprinkled with stars. We made our wishes, and I know we will be back here again soon to while away some Summertime hours on our new favourite beach. Here's to the Good Times, may there be many, many more.
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This is so lovely. Thank you for sharing. You sound happy...and I am so glad for that! I understand the call of the ocean...I will get my fix in 2 weeks and I am really looking forward to that time!
Posted by: Sue. | April 16, 2015 at 09:14 PM
I LOVE Dorset-spent many, many holidays there as a child in my Nan's static caravan.I love West Bay-great for kite flying!!
Posted by: LISA SMITH | April 16, 2015 at 08:06 PM
Thank you Lucy for sharing your happy days with your family in beautiful Dorset. We spent some wonderful holidays and too created some very special memories on the beach whilst staying in our little touring caravan at Manor Farm, Burton Bradstock. I still treasure my collection of different stones found on Hive beach, that being one of my favourite places in the world! I was lucky enough to create another memory at the Manor House this time last year when myself and two other friends surprised by best friend of over 45 years for a special birthday, it is a wonderful restaurant and what a setting!
Your posts always lift my spirits, but this one has been really special, if one can't be in Dorset, the next best has to be Yorkshire! X
Posted by: Wendy Burnett | April 16, 2015 at 07:47 PM
Dorset looks beautiful, I really want to visit. My grandfather's family came from Bridport and lived there for many generations. Your new blanket looks so, so pretty. It's another one I know I am going to want to make, and I haven't even started the Cosy blanket yet!!
Posted by: josiekitten | April 16, 2015 at 07:16 PM
Sounds like the perfect holiday, Lucy. So glad you had such a wonderful time with your family.
Posted by: Susan | April 16, 2015 at 06:36 PM
Hello, I love reading your blog and your photos are amazing.
Also love the look of your new Harmony blanket - will you be sharing this as a pattern at some point?
I bought one of your Cosy Stripe Blanket kits at the K&S show in Ally Pally in Oct and am steadily working my way through it (as quite a novice hooker but am loving it and it looks so pretty.
Posted by: Ampie | April 16, 2015 at 01:19 PM
Your holiday seems to have rolled along without a hitch. The pictures are just heavenly. Especially all the ones of the beautiful beaches with the lovely seas and sunsets. Wonderful untainted seaside air is absolutely delightful. Thank you as always for sharing your photos and memories with us. lots of love to you Lucy and your adorable family. I so adore reading your blog and sharing the colorful crocheting that makes up so much of your world. You are truely special. :)
Posted by: Robin Summers | April 16, 2015 at 01:01 PM
It seems you have great days.
i like to see pics from your trips as you always show us great landscape and great history monuments.
And defenetely love the coastal blanket.
Miss
Posted by: Miss | April 16, 2015 at 12:54 PM
Was just wondering about the little fish attached to your scissors in the yarn picture. Is it holding a needle? Do you have a pattern for this?
Thank you!
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 16, 2015 at 12:32 PM
Thanks for sharing your holiday with us - I really look forward to reading your blogs.
Posted by: Phyl | April 16, 2015 at 12:17 PM
You can't beat the convenience of a convenience where ever you find yourself, and that was a beautiful place to be, thanks for sharing x
Posted by: Ali Whale | April 16, 2015 at 10:29 AM
We adore Dorset too & have stayed in Weymouth on sevral occasion. I love the bunting & those sweet little lanes of shops. The surrounding areas are such an adventure to explore xx
Posted by: Jo | April 16, 2015 at 07:54 AM
That's a perfect family break love the look of the beautiful sea and countryside you are very lucky to visit xx
Posted by: kerry mortimer | April 16, 2015 at 05:45 AM
Such beautiful countryside and happy family memories made :)
Posted by: Justine | April 16, 2015 at 04:51 AM
Keep having good times! Love reading your blog!!!
Posted by: Laura | April 16, 2015 at 04:18 AM
That was a truly wonderful read, Lucy- thankyou. I feel like I have just had my own mini break to the other side of the world. I can thoroughly appreciate the double-edged sword of the "Broadchurch effect" lol. I watch that program here in Australia and think of you and your Dorset holidays. Is that a little freaky? It must be great for the traders in the area though. Absolutely spectacular photography. What a lovely family holiday.
Posted by: Carolyn | April 16, 2015 at 02:47 AM
Love reading your posts, they take me away from the daily grind and leave a smile on my face. Love all your descriptions and pics, just magical!
Posted by: Deb R | April 16, 2015 at 01:14 AM
Hi, Lucy, I just wanted to mention about your tribute to Vanessa Cabban earlier in the year..........
Vanessa (and Hugo) were my next door neighbours for two years, when they first got together, and then they bought a larger property in Berwick, and moved, and we lost touch, although I kept up with them via her blog, and loved reading it.
I didn't hear about her tragic death until a few weeks ago, and am still shocked and gutted. Cannot get her out of my mind, and what a dark place she must have been in.
It's made me realise that, truly, we never know what burdens other people are carrying........So very very sad.
Posted by: Elizabeth Cameron | April 16, 2015 at 12:41 AM
Love reading your blog and looking at your pics from my little townhouse in N. California. Can't wait to make it over to the UK some day. (I *thought* a couple pictures looked like scenes from Broadchurch!) Beautiful scenery, dreamy times. Thanks so much for sharing your holiday with us!
Posted by: Susan | April 16, 2015 at 12:25 AM
I live in Weymouth. It's a great place, but even better out of tourist season as it feels like you have the beach to yourself and no queues! I love living in Dorset. Glad u enjoy your visits! Maybe have a short stay out of season to really appreciate it x
Posted by: Michelle Walden | April 16, 2015 at 12:06 AM
Seriously, when I looked at your English s'mores picture (and I wish I had one-s'more, not picture) I swear I thought that was a white mouse between the biscuits! And it looks like another one in the background! Sounds like a wonderful, fun vacations!
Posted by: Sue Munn | April 15, 2015 at 11:26 PM
Thank you for a lovely post! Gorgeous photos of what looks like a holiday to remember :)
Posted by: Marie | April 15, 2015 at 10:33 PM
What a lovely post Lucy, took me back to when 54 yrs ago !!!! my Husband took me to meet his family for the first time, they lived near a wonderful beach too, I remember it like it was yesterday., we still visit there each year if we can. You have the sort of happy holiday times that are the best. Love your new blanket too ., I will enjoy seeing it grow. Thankyou again. Carolyn NZ.,
Posted by: Carolyn Jackson | April 15, 2015 at 10:06 PM
What a wonderful break you had, I'm so glad you all enjoyed yourselves. Dorset is one of my favourite places, I have several very happy holidays there. Chesil Beach is breathtaking isn't it. Next time I go I shall definitely try a hot supper on the beach. I love to see your pictures every time you go. Glad you all preferred to unspoilt places, I think we would too. I hope you've settled back into normal life now. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | April 15, 2015 at 08:52 PM
Lovely Lovely photos! Reading this has made me feel really nostalgic about my own favourite places as well as really excited about my summer hols later this year. Glad you had a nice time and really glad you shared it with us on the warmest and sunniest day of the year so far. Might have to try the marshmallow and chocolate digestive melts soon too, they look very yummy! Sarah xx
Posted by: Hula Loop | April 15, 2015 at 08:39 PM