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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this is how I travel :)
Posted by: tess | August 02, 2015 at 07:13 PM
I love this post Lucy. The pictures literally leap off the page. I live vicariously through you when you are on holiday. The Montacute house has my heart. I love that time in history. I would have been in heaven strolling through the house and just thinking about who would have walked those halls before me. I have always been a history nut. England is definately on my bucket list for sure. Thank you so much for sharing so much of your life with us. I look forward to each and every post you add to your blog. I am so very happy to hear your parents are doing okay. Not too long ago I was so worried about your mum. It is weird feeling so close to a family that you get to know through a blog and not having met. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and happy hooking! xoxoxo
Robin
Posted by: Robin Summers | August 02, 2015 at 06:54 PM
With you all the way on that one Lucy - I loved everything about West Bay when we visited. Xx lots of love Joy Xx
Posted by: Joy | August 02, 2015 at 06:17 PM
Is that a photo of the Hive Beach cafe? I follow them on Twitter in order to experience a little "Dorset" atmosphere. I wish someone on that coast would install a Webcam.
Posted by: Judith Solecki | August 02, 2015 at 05:42 PM
What a lovely holiday. Thank you for sharing. My heart is singing as if I had been with you and your family. I feel as if I had really been there.
Posted by: Penny Rongo | August 02, 2015 at 05:39 PM
So good to have that connection with your past and present (something I don't have - moved around too much).
Love that rainy window picture!
Posted by: Claire | August 02, 2015 at 05:03 PM
Thanks for your picture story! What a beautiful place and your remarks make it come alive.
Posted by: Gayla P{arks | August 02, 2015 at 04:29 PM
I love West Bay, we have a caravan at Weymouth and one of my favourite outings is along the coast road. Actually Montacute House isn't very exciting even for oldies such as us! Love the photos x
Posted by: Maggie Wisdom | August 02, 2015 at 03:37 PM
We left West Bay this morning after camping for a week. The winds were certainly strong at the beginning of the week - nearly blew us away. We're lucky enough to live only 50 miles away - Dorset is indeed a beautiful place.
Posted by: Chrissie | August 02, 2015 at 02:49 PM
I see all the blankie colours you included, and it makes me so happy. Thanks for the pictures!
Posted by: Barbara Seiver | August 02, 2015 at 01:48 PM
That's a fair review of Montacute. Don't give up on Somerset NT places though, Barrington court is Much more fun: kitchen gardens, lots of little hidden areas to explore outside, huge grounds, lawn games, awesome tree swing. We don't even go into the house, and always have a good time, any time of year.
Posted by: Claire O | August 02, 2015 at 01:31 PM
Thanks again Lucy. I need a break, but can't just yet. A virtual trip away with you is the next best thing. Never been to Dorset, must put it on the list!
How's the harmony blanket coming on? Did I miss the ta-dah? Love to see it in all its glory.
Posted by: Kath | August 02, 2015 at 01:03 PM
I want to thank you again for sharing this, I'm not much of a traveler but I get to see it through your eyes and dream.
Posted by: Ann Clawson | August 02, 2015 at 01:02 PM
Your pics makes me wish i was there too! We have no summer holidays these year as we will travel to Australia this winter. I cannot wait to be back in Sydney but i surely miss a summer break!
Take care
Anne
Crochet Between Worlds
Posted by: Anne | August 02, 2015 at 12:49 PM
I love your photos from Dorset. My Mum's family originated from Bridport and the surrounding villages and I would love to go and explore the area and get to know a little of where my ancestors lived. Glad you had a nice break, even if the weather didn't always cooperate.
Posted by: josiekitten | August 02, 2015 at 12:43 PM
You are brave for attempting a NT house with the Little People! We have four boys, aged between 5 and 14. We make good use of our NT membership but after a stressful visit to Hever Castle (not NT I know) strictly OUTDOORS ONLY! Have camped in Dorset the last 2 years (a long way from our abode in Belfast) and we love it!
Posted by: Sarah Hammond | August 02, 2015 at 12:32 PM
It looks lovely and pretty and idyllic but, as an Aussie, I can't imagine rugs on the beach. :)
Posted by: Rose | August 02, 2015 at 12:23 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Sandra | August 02, 2015 at 12:15 PM
Wow, it looks lovely Lucy and you show it off so well. Brilliant travelogue!
Posted by: Carol | August 02, 2015 at 11:59 AM
Although we live by the sea it's the beautiful Northumberland coast and I've never been to Dorset. It looks pretty good too. Our nearest beach is the wonderful Druridge Bay, long stretches of pure sand, marron grass dunes and glittering sea, hardly a soul in sight. The colours are fab.
What a shame your NT visit was a bit stiff. I hope it doesn't put you off as many families have great days out at these places and I know we did when our three were small. Maybe some are better suited to families than others? Certainly not all full of pensioners, though unbelievably I'm reaching that stage myself now! Hope you feel refreshed.
Posted by: Gillian Booth | August 02, 2015 at 11:57 AM
Sure looks idyllic Lucy .... Love to visit there someday Pat x
Posted by: Pat | August 02, 2015 at 11:41 AM