Although I often comment that our Dorset holidays have no schedules or plans attached to them, this is actually not strictly true. When I look back at previous posts {2014 : 2013} I see the repeating images that tell me the first day of our holidays always follows the exact same pattern. Familiar Routine? Family Tradition? Probably both of those things.
The weather on the first morning of our holidays is pretty crucial, because we always spend our first morning outside at the beach and harbour, starting with breakfast at my favourite beach café. That's it in the photo above, nestled right on the shingle beach, with glorious views out along the coast.
We like to sit outside on the wooden decking, with the breeze whipping through our hair (excluding J, who has no hair), drinking a very good cappuccino and eating a very tasty brekkie. I always have poached eggs, J always has a sausage ciabatta roll. I always think about having the bacon ciabatta roll, but by the time I get to order I always go back to the eggs. I think maybe I like the fact that the poached eggs on toast are called the "Happy Camper Breakfast", or maybe it's just that the eggs are poached to perfection and look amazing oozing their orange yolks all over the hot buttered granary wedges of toast.....or maybe I just like familiar routine a lot more than I care to admit....
....anyhow, we have a yummy breakfast and everyone is stuffed and happy. Little Lady and Little B run off to play on the beach while we continue to sit and rest a while. Eventually, we up and leave the comfort of the sun warmed decking and begin our pootling activities. Around the harbour we go.....
...J and I on foot and the Little Peeps all on two wheels.
I was so pleased to see the flower boats back again as they were nowhere to be seen when we visited at Easter.
Strolling around this harbour on a sunny, breezy Summers day is one of my most favourite things. I have a huge stack of memories anchored here, layer upon layer upon layer of them. From my early childhood spent with grandparents here, through my teenage years growing up here, then into my early adult years visiting with groups of friends and now here I am visiting with my very own little family. The feeling of nostalgia is powerful and I am often found drifting in and out of my memories as we sit, stroll, wander, amble.
We are walking out along West pier now, it's part of our routine you see. West Bay has two piers which shelter the busy little harbour (I found some fab aerial photos here), and this pier was completely reconstructed in 2005. We found out some years ago that the ramps and very smooth concrete surfaces are just perfection for scooter wheels, so even Little Man (who is really not so little any more) is in his element here.
It's reasonably quiet on this Tuesday morning, with just a handful of gentle strollers and pootlers like us, plus some fishermen fishing and families crabbing over the sides.
The Little People whizz around on their wheels while J and I sit on the wooden bench at the end of the pier and take in the coastal scenery. You can see the steep rise of East cliff in the photo above - we decide we will climb up there later in the week and I can't wait. It's another layer of memories - I so vividly remember climbing up there as a child, and the LP remember this cliff top walk from last year when we took them up there for the first time and are keen to go again (a happy Mum moment).
After the stint on the pier our routine goes like this - back around the harbour to purchase and consume ice cream, then along to the very excellent play area that has been designed with a nod to ships and the rope making industry that is part of the local history. It's a very successful play area suitable for a wide age range (you can read more about it here), although I note that Little Man was not tempted by it this year.
If you've been reading my blog for a while, you will probably be familiar with our Dorset holidays and the places I share with you year after year. St Catherines Chapel, Eype Beach, Eggardon Hill, Abbotsbury Gardens....all favourite places for us, much loved and often visited. This year, for some unknown reason, we didn't go to any of those places, not one. Instead we decided to use our National Trust membership and took a trip out of Dorset and into Somerset to visit a "glittering Elizabethan Mansion" AKA Montacute House.
So what can we say about our visit? We can say that it was OK, that the Little People did well to behave in rather an uptight, adult environment, that we were seriously outnumbered by old age pensioners, and that I remembered that I really, really disliked studying history when I was at school. Truthfully, I didn't enjoy the house very much (I spent my whole time looking out of the many windows wishing I was outside and not inside). But eventually we were released from the formal Elizabethan interior and I felt myself exhale with relief as we explored the exterior. The gardens were beautiful and we enjoyed a very pleasant picnic followed by a welcome release of energy as the Little People ran themselves stupid on the large expanse of grass in front of the house.
Afterwards, on my Mum's recommendation, we drove to nearby Ham Hill which is a high-up place of historic importance. An ancient Roman Hill fort with a rather large monument. But for me, it was all about the views......
....which were panoramic and beautiful, a perfect picture of English Country Summer.
It was very windy up here actually, so not all that warm despite the afternoon sunshine. I have a hilarious series of snapshots of the Little People sat in front of the monument, it makes me laugh every time I look at their windswept faces and comical wind-styled hair-dos.
Ahh, the wind. It was a bit of a b*gger to be truthful, gusting in off the sea and bringing an unpleasant chill to the air. It meant that we hardly spent any time at the beach this holiday which is very unusual for us, and the cause of a weeny bit of sadness for me, the sea-junkie of the family. It was just too darn cold to sit still for any length of time.
We did manage one meal down at our favourite West Bexington beach, a rather chilly, windswept stint hunkering down behind the wind break as afternoon turned to evening.
We really did give it our best, lighting up the barbecue (thank goodness for the windbreak) and cooking up some burgers for our dinner. I was thankful for crochet blankets, chilled white wine and a positive outlook, plus the fact that the Little People don't tend to mind the cold do they? They just run around regardless, swooping in for food at the appropriate time, then haring off again to play. We had a huge pile of blankets in the car - some crochet ones and some old fleece camping/travelling blankets which journey everywhere with us - so we were able to all cosy up quite nicely around the warmth of the barbecue coals as the evening went on. We made s'mores (of course) and ended up staying for almost 5 hours in the end, until the daylight began to fade and we were all ready to head home to the warmth and comfort of bed.
Towards the end of the week, the weather turned mean and a day of continuous rain ensued. There was nothing much to be done about it, so we simply stayed in pyjamas and spent the hours indoors, playing, reading, chatting, drinking and eating. In the late afternoon, I hit on the idea of perhaps venturing out to the cinema which was met with a great whoop of approval from the Little People. So we drove to the nearest Big Town (Dorchester), treated ourselves to a pub meal and then trooped into the little cinema to scoff popcorn and watch the Minions do their thing. It was a good end to a slow wet day, and by the time we came out of the cinema the rain had actually stopped at last.
On our last day in Dorset, it was something of a huge relief to wake up and find that the heavy grey rain clouds had blown away leaving us with a fresh, clear, sunshiny day to play with. It was a perfect day for partaking in some coastal walking, so up the steep face of East Cliff we climbed....
....following the well worn footpath along the tops.
The light on this day was really wonderful - the contrast with the dull, wet greyness of the day before made everything seem dazzlingly bright, the colours zinging in the sunshine.
This walk is lovely in it's simplicity. You walk a couple miles over the cliff tops.....
....then descend down to sea level and make the return journey along the beach. It was mid morning when we arrived at the beach, and a quick stop at the little store in West Bay before we set off meant that I had drinks and essential snack material tucked in my rucksack. A packet of Oreos (the Little People's choice) and some sticky sweet granola tray-bake (my choice) and everyone was happy for a while.
The Little People paddled in the sea but declared it too chilly for full blown body immersion. However they were content to frolic around in the shallows, jumping the waves and screeching into the breeze. It was fun to watch, and I was happy on the beach, soaking up the sights, sounds and smells and trying to absorb it all into my soul.
The walk back was along the shoreline, barefoot in the shallows....
....watching the fishing boats come and go from the harbour.
The cliffs here are incredible to look at, but also rather alarmingly dangerous and it is the very best thing to be as far away from them as possible (ie in the sea!). The soft sandstone is under constant attack from the elements and as a result bits fall off them all the time. It's a lovely beach to wander along though, and rather an unreal feeling to look up to the towering cliff top and know that we have actually been there. It causes a bit of a wow moment, no matter how many times you do it over the years the feeling of wonderment is always the same.
It was a lovely holiday, perhaps a little slower than usual, but none the worse for that. It was good for me to see my parents too of course, I don't tend to talk about them much or share much of our time together, but it was good to spend time with them and know that they are doing OK.
So now we are home, and my childhood bedroom view (above) will remain fresh in my memory until next time.....Autumn perhaps?
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Lovely. And what a gorgeous view from your childhood bedroom window! It's like a picture postcard. :::swoon:::
Posted by: Susan | August 12, 2015 at 01:16 AM
Looks gorgeous Lucy :) Glad you all had a lovely time and got out and about what ever the weather.
I think I've only ever been to that general area once and never to the places you have shown. I really must try it as it looks stunning.
Welcome home! We'll catch up for a brew soon
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Posted by: Sarah Clay | August 09, 2015 at 06:13 AM
Glad you got to Ham Hill. I spent many a Sunday afternoon there when I was a child. It's my eldest daughter's favourite place, along with Weymouth. She's coming over from USA with her children for Christmas so no doubt we'll be going even if it's blowing a gale & freezing cold! Wendy x
Posted by: Wendy Bassett | August 07, 2015 at 01:34 PM
Yes the weather was cold! Did you notice how cheap the cinema in Dorchester is? We went recently with our daughter when we had to kill some time in between orthodontic appointments. I love your Dorset posts -they remind me not to take my surroundings for granted.
Posted by: Alison | August 05, 2015 at 08:17 AM
Sorry folks, a bit off topic....For Judith Solecki (2. Aug above) Have look at
http://www.wdlh.co.uk/webcams/ for the W. Dorset coast. Husband and I travelling to Weymouth tomorrow - a bit further east and more commercialised, but picturesque Dorset too.
Posted by: Val Edwards | August 03, 2015 at 05:30 PM
Your childhood bedroom view has a similarity with your Attic view now. I wonder if that's what sold you the house? It sounds like you had a lovely time and I hope your batteries are back up to full power again now xx
Posted by: Winwick Mum | August 03, 2015 at 04:07 PM
Thanks for sharing these beautiful places. Feels like holiday to me. Can almost smell the sea and the wind.
Posted by: linda van den hurk | August 03, 2015 at 02:25 PM
welcome home Lucy. So glad you had time to relax and recharge your batteries. It is great to have the chance to get away, but oh so nice to come home!! Loved the beautiful photo's. Greetings from DownUnder. :-)
Posted by: Margaret Simpson | August 03, 2015 at 01:10 PM
Lovely! Sorry the weather got in the way for you a bit, but starting and finishing on the beach can't be bad! :)
Posted by: Elsie Pop | August 03, 2015 at 10:59 AM
Oh, lovely. I can smell the sea just looking at your pictures.
Posted by: Marijke | August 03, 2015 at 08:12 AM
Superbe région qui me donne envie de la découvrir ! Cette côte, ces falaises, ces plages !
Posted by: algmiae | August 03, 2015 at 07:53 AM
Oh that view from your window is glorious. I'm glad you had a good week, it always sounds wonderful down there in Dorset, I'd love to visit again one day. It's nice to have familiar routines isn't it. We've just come back from a week in north Wales, I do love it up there so much, it was a real wrench to leave. A little post-holiday blueness now, although of course it will pass. Enjoy the rest of the summer. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | August 03, 2015 at 06:58 AM
Lovely photos & great memories. I love beaches too spent my childhood & teenage years there. Then it was taking the children, now it's taking grandchildren. Time does fly!
Posted by: Winifred Waite | August 03, 2015 at 12:46 AM
Sounds like a great get away! So glad to see the boats again, I just adore them! If I run across a small one I of a mind to plant one myself, down by our stream. lol I was admiring those small little yellow flowers here over the weekend, here they can be found mainly along the edge of paved roads for some odd reason. Barefoot and in the shallows... one of my favorite places to be. Thanks for sharing Lucy! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | August 03, 2015 at 12:14 AM
What a lovely holiday! I love that you sit on the beach and make dinner and cuddle under your beautiful blankets. What a wonderful way to relax.
Posted by: Susan | August 03, 2015 at 12:11 AM
Do you ever find shells? Or are the beaches all stones?
Posted by: EL | August 02, 2015 at 11:11 PM
Just lovely Lucy, thank you so much for sharing with us. :) :) :) :)
Posted by: Angela | August 02, 2015 at 10:13 PM
Love all your photos, I am lucky to live an hour away and regularly venture into Dorset, it is a very special place. I notice the view from the Attic has similarities to the view from your childhood bedroom :-)
Posted by: Mandy | August 02, 2015 at 09:42 PM
You were just a few miles from us when you visited Ham Hill! I'm in agreement on the Montacute review, it is a little staid; although the outpost of the National Gallery on the top floor is a delight if you're interested in paintings/portraits from that era. Barrington Court is more relaxed and family-friendly.
Posted by: Justine | August 02, 2015 at 08:47 PM
Lucy I came across these Minion slippers that you can make for the little people!
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/178152271/minion-slippers-pattern-pdf-file?ref=fp_item&aref=47555087014
Be sure to post if you make them. :)
Robin
Posted by: Robin Summers | August 02, 2015 at 08:33 PM
Just lovely Lucy. So glad you got some family time.
Love your photos as always.
Jacquie xxx
Posted by: Jacquie | August 02, 2015 at 08:00 PM
We're two of the NT pensioners and we felt exactly the same about Montacute. Very busy, even before the Wolf Hall connection, not very interesting. I would second the vote for Barrington Court, and you may like Lytes Cary - much smaller, much quieter, and amazing gardens. I can also recommend the kites in the shop, our grandchildren love them!
Posted by: Celia | August 02, 2015 at 07:50 PM
Beautiful country. I vacation through you lucy. Keep posting pictures. . There amazing and gorgeous. Loved seeing your crochet blanket.
Posted by: Darlene martensen | August 02, 2015 at 07:47 PM
I think your unscheduled but wonderful holiday sounds perfect. Low stress and comfortable. LOVED all the great photos. We are also home from a 3.5 week road trip around the SW and Midwest US. Boy are we tired! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | August 02, 2015 at 07:44 PM
Now now Lucy, don't be pensionerist. : ) Loveliy post.
Posted by: Irene Porter | August 02, 2015 at 07:40 PM