Dorset Summer 2017

During the first two weeks of the Summer holidays, I wasn't really on holiday at all. The Little People were home from school and J took a break from work, but me? I was absolutely flat out still working here at home, juggling my many balls in the air and desperately trying to finish up all sorts of things that had deadlines and decisions attached. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE what I do and am so so grateful that I can be at home in the school holidays amongst the chaos of family life, but sometimes it can get a little stressful. 

By the time we set off on our three hundred mile journey south, I was absolutely shattered and oh-so-ready for a good rest and a break away from my computer. I craved the sea air, the change of pace and the relaxation that comes with a holiday spent in a familiar and much loved place.

Our first day in Dorset, and we stuck to our usual holiday ritual of brunch in the cafe on the beach, followed by a stroll around the harbour and out along the west pier. I don't ever tire of doing this same thing year after year as I am always so glad to just Be There. This nostalgic and familiar morning jaunt always seems to gently settle my soul and makes my heart kind of swell and breathe out. Ahhhhhh.......I am home.

As per usual, we didn't make a single plan for our time in Dorset - we had five days to pootle, potter, rest and relax, and our decision making was pretty much dictated entirely by the weather. Ahhh....the great British weather....what can we say? It was completely unpredictable of course, and very changeable from hour to hour. There were some times when it was absolutely awful (pouring rain, wind, cold), but for the most part, I think we had it pretty good. 

We enjoyed a few lovely picnic lunches sat on the sun warmed shingle of Chesil Beach - I love beach picnics so much, the simplicity of it all makes me very happy. Good, easy-to-eat food (french bread, goats cheese, salami, baby plum tomatoes, apples, grapes, strawberries, crisps, cookies), a yarny blanket to sit on, sunny warmth on my skin and the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore. That makes for a very happy me.

The Little People were content to just lounge about on my blankets, stuffing food down and entertaining themselves by continuously throwing little pebbles at each other. We did eventually persuade them to set up a non-breathing target to throw pebbles at instead of aiming for sibbling body parts, so it was all good in the end.

We had an afternoon mooch around Abbotsbury Subtropical gardens - this is like our Dorset equivalent of Bolton Abbey as we have an annual family season ticket and visit whenever we are down in Dorset. It's such an easy, relaxed place to go for a pootle with a great cafe too (not that I would judge it for the cafe at all. Ok, yes I admit I would totally judge it based on it's cappuccino). The Gunnera was absolutely spectacular this year and Little B looked teensy-tiny stood underneath these giant leaves.

It made me laugh this year as we decided to walk the gardens backwards - well, we weren't actually physically walking backwards, but we ignored all the little white arrows and signs and went in the opposite direction to everyone else. I don't know why but this little act of rebellion pleased me enormously! 

I loved the beautiful new sculptures made by willow artist Jo Sadler (the "rutting stags" up above, and this peacock) - they were so beautiful and captivating to look at. 

The gardens are glorious in mid summer, and I found them so peaceful, even with the Little People charging about and being their usual noisy selves. And oh, the cappuccino was top notch too, as were the little tubs of local ice cream. Just saying.

One of the things that gives me the most pleasure when we are down in Dorset is the amount of time we generally spend outdoors. Late one afternoon we had to travel to the County Town to go and collect my Mum's ashes from the funeral director, and in truth I was feeling quite low after that. As the day was still warm and bright, J suggested we stop at the nearest supermarket and gather some food for an impromptu picnic on our way home. We all agreed that was a great idea, and at 6pm we parked the car high up on the hills and settled at one of the most scenic picnic tables ever.

The Dorset landscape was looking glorious in the early evening light and I had completely forgotten that there would be heather growing up here in August. I was so delighted to be reminded of my Moorland blanket when I was least expecting it, that beautiful purple haze really lifted my spirits.

There is a whacking great big stone monument up here {Hardy's Monument}, and this place holds many happy memories for me. I used to picnic up here with my grandparents when I was  a child and can so clearly remember the giddy feeling of utter freedom - we were allowed to run wild around all the pathways and it felt so exciting to be allowed to go off and explore without grown-ups!

Gosh, it was quite something to see my own Little Ones doing the exact same thing. There is a particular smell that these heathlands have - dry grass mixed with sandy earth and fresh sea air, it smells like childhood summer to me.

On the evening that we were up at Hardy's Monument the air was particularly clear, which made the far reaching views spectacular. It's not all that often that you can see the lighthouse right around the coast at Portland Bill, (can you see it? You can click on the above photo and make it larger)

Last weekend when we were in Dorset, it was the first ever Bridport Folk Festival. The little rural market town where I grew up was at it's absolute summer best, full of happy visitors and locals all out enjoying the sunshine and the ambiance. There was live music and dancing in the streets, it was fabulous! We stayed a while watching these traditional Morris Dancers do their crazy thing - if you don't know what Morris Dancing is, you can read more about this very old folk tradition here. There were some Border Morris Dancers too, they are quite scary looking with their black faces and raggedy outfits (see here) but it was brilliant fun to watch.

In the late afternoons we would most often find ourselves in Lady B's beautiful secluded back garden (Lady B is my Dad's other half), listening to the seagulls squawking from the rooftops and enjoying a glass of chilled white wine with the last of the day's sun. I love cooking when I'm at home and pretty much every day I pull together a proper home cooked meal for us all. But isn't it just soooooooo lovely to sit back whilst someone else does the cooking for a change? It was such a treat to have a break from the business of providing food (slinging stuff into a cool bag for a picnic doesn't really count), and I appreciated it very much.

One sunny afternoon when we were sat around in Lady B's garden, a spontaneous decision was made to head to the sea. We didn't all take to the idea (my Dad, J and the Teen opted to stay put), but the Little People, myself and B were happy to head out on foot. It's not that far really (2 miles) and took us about 50 minutes following footpaths across fields from the town. It's a walk I've done dozens of times myself, and I just love the nostalgic familiarity of walking these same steps over so many years of my life. 

When we arrived at the sea, it was declared unanimously that we all needed ice cream. So I treated us to some delicious proper West Country ice cream cones which we ate sitting on the beach, oh it was sooo good! Even the plain ol' vanilla was a buttery yellow coloured Clotted Cream Dairy Vanilla, it was seriously yummy.

We didn't spend long on the beach as Little B had rubbed a blister on his foot (the downside of walking 2 miles across fields wearing Crocs) so we decided to catch the bus back into town.

 But we had long enough to paddle a little in the surf, breath in the salty fresh air....

....and wander back around the harbour to the little bus stop on the green.

It was a very memorable walk for Lady B as she found a lucky four leaf clover growing at the side of the footpath - oh I was so jealous!!! All my life I've been searching for one of these (I actually began to think they were a complete myth), and there she went and just somehow spotted it growing amongst all it's three leafed brothers and sisters.

I'd love to know if you've ever found one, and if it brought you good luck? Do tell me your four-leafed clover stories!

Our last morning in Dorset, and J wanted to head up to the hills instead of down to the sea, so off to our favourite Eggardon Hill we went.

There was great excitement as not only did we have chocolate in the bag, but we also had a kite! Little B was given this "pocket kite" by his Grandad for his Birthday and this was to be it's first outing. These kites are great as they fold up into a teensy little zip-up bag and will supposedly fly in even the lightest of winds. There is only one string, so they are a doddle to fly and Little B was beside himself being in charge of his very own kite.

We started out flying it the large open field until we got it right up high in the sky....

 

.....then Little B "walked" it all along the ridge with a huge smile on his face.

I wandered about taking photos and drinking in the lush summer scenery....

....the distant views across fields and out to the sea.....

....and the close-up views of the wild flowers growing in abundance. We stopped a while to sit on a blanket with a snack and a drink (well Little B refused to sit as he was still flying his kite), and breathed it all in.

So so good.

Packing up, saying goodbye and heading back north is always hard, and I haven't really found a way to ease the transition for myself. Over the years I've learnt to just accept that it'll always be hard, and some times I feel the wrench more than others.

My visits to Dorset have been heavy with sadness and loss this year, and this trip was no exception. I've showed you lots of nice photos and told the story of a happy summer holiday, but between the lines there was a fair bit of emotional struggle for me. I know it will get easier, and I know there will be a time in the future when the heaviness will start to lift. I'm looking forward to it already.

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Comments

[Gaye Tye]

Hello ! Just discovered your lovely account of your visit to Dorset.
Its a county Ive long loved, due to the Thomas Hardy novels, studied for A level English, way back in the mists of time !
Thank you for the writings and beautiful photos..
I have also long loved the Leonard Clark poem, 'Song for Loders', set to music and sung by John Coppin. Its a beautiful song, and when I visit the area, I often think of the place names as we pass through Dorset.
Its a magical area, and with such pretty, undiscovered villages, great reading about it, thank you.

[Corinna Mazzotta]

I've always wondered where Eggardon was and now I know thanks to you! I love this poem by Leonard Clark which has been set to music by an amazing folk singer called Johnny Coppin, whose music has been part of my life since I was a little child. This is one of his more recent tracks recorded on his last album.

"When frost lies thick on Eggardon,
And every pool begins to freeze
From Muckleford to Nettlecombe,
And hills are hung with sparkling trees,
O, then, to Loders we must go
Before the world is drowned in snow.

So here, my dear, and there, my dear,
The air is singing love tonight,
And you my dear, and you my dear,
Are trudging home in winter light.

When mists fall low on Eggardon,
And morning reddens sea and sky,
From Vinney Cross to Powerstock
The flocks of silent starlings fly
O, then, as evening breathes farewell,
We take the rutted road to Bell.

So, up, my dear, and down my dear,
The house is bringing Love tonight,
And you, my dear, and you, my dear,
Are trudging home in winter white.

When stars shine clear on Eggardon,
And field and fold are hushed with sleep,
From Yondover to Askerswell
The lanterns burn for wandering sheep,
O, then, for us those lanterns burn,
And one by one, we shall return.

So, swing, my dear, and chime, my dear,
The tower is ringing Love tonight,
And you, my dear, and you my dear,
Are trudging home in winter bright."

[Patti in WA state]

While in college, I was looking for 4 leaf clovers with my boyfriend who was a pre-med major and he explained that they are a genetic defect. That means keep looking in the same place and you may find more. It doesn't always work but it has worked for me on several occasions. Happy Hunting!

[Debi]

We have lots of for leaf clovers on our farm in fact I have found a six leaf clover once! I really enjoy your blog and have made quite a few of your afghans and I am so in love with Stylecraft yarn. Thank you for being an inspiration to us all.

[witloof]

Hi Lucy,

My condolences for your loss. It is so difficult to cope with the loss of one's mother. It doesn't ever go away, but it does get easier to bear with time.

I wanted to tell you that I just visited England from the US and my friends, who live in Exeter, took me to Lyme Regis for an afternoon. I had such a lovely time wandering the beach and the shops, eating whelks and cockles, and having cream tea overlooking the sea. I can hardly wait to come back!

[Helen]

I live in Dorset, and it's lovely, but I have lived "up north" too, Lancs, Yorks border etc, I enjoy your photos of both places, where you live now.

I found a four leaf clover many years ago, I just put my hand on it !
I don't believe in luck, but it was interesting all the same.

Love your blog, keep on hooking gal !
I am more of a knitter...oooh dare I say that here.

Kindest regards and best wishes

Helen

[Lyn Dines]

Only just discovered you! Loved reading your post about your Dorset holiday with all those lovely photos. I was born in Maiden Newton, just up the road from Dorchester, and was there on holiday in June this year, stayed a couple days with a sister in Dorchester and visited a sister in Weymouth too. It was lovely to be back for first visit since moving to Longmont, Colorado, almost 3 years ago. Your writing evokes a wonderful sense of calm and serenity. I am so sad to see that you lost your mum recently too. She is a big part of you and who you are and maybe you will find comfort in talking to her as you go about your chores and need answers when figuring out a new pattern. She will always be near you. God bless you and I pray that your grieving will find an outlet in your beautiful work.

[Sarah]

As always you pictures of Dorset were wonderful despite the sadness you were experiencing. There was a good atmosphere in Bridport with the first Folk festival. I had to smile at the picture of the Morris Men. I took a similar picture from the other side of the road possibly around the same time! Sarah x

[Peggy]

I just love "listening" to you. You tell it so colorful that I can feel it. You have a beautiful way of writing and creating. Grief does release that strangle hold with time.

[Kimmy]

I loved going on vacation with you, Lucy! Now back to reality... You certainly live in a beautiful place. My Mom died on 9/11/15. It does get a little easier with time, but there will always be a hole in your heart. Enjoy your Dad while you can. Both of my parents are gone now and I miss them so much. Hugs from Kimmy

[Catherine]

I find it very generous of you to share so much with us all, fun and not so fun.
I recently met a young university student who has already found 150+ four leaved clovers.

[Jenny]

Whaaw, great post, fab photos, and wonderful writing, as ever. Thank you for sharing, it lifts the spirits!

[Crafty Cath]

Hang on in there Lucy, it does get easier. My Mum passed away 8 years ago and I still shed a tear every now and then. She would have loved your talent. I love the photos of Dorset. Your blankets look brilliant on the Chesil Beach shingle. Shine on bright star :) xx

[Heidi]

In 1996 I went with secondary school to Prague. Outside the hotel was a little hill and we'd often sit here and just chat with friends when we had some time left over between sight seeing. Between us we found about 15 four leafed clovers! It was the weirdest thing, but I haven't found one since.

[Leslie]

Lucy, I feel the same way about Monterey, California. And this year we are going for their County Fair with a whole building of wool! Can't wait! <3

Thank you for your blog. It brings me happiness.

[Karen]

I found a four leaf clover in the garden of the tourist office in Reeth, while on holiday in Yorkshire last year.

[Di Smith]

I found a four leaf clover on the morning of my Geography O level exam (which I had not revised for as I was not interested in the particular aspects that we had studied). I was not expected to pass. When I turned the paper over there were 4 questions relating to topics I had learnt in Junior School so I used those questions to write my 4 essays and I passed!!!! It must have been the clover!

[Iam]

It's such a beautiful part of the world. Some of your holiday mirrored mine a few weeks earlier. I had never visited Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens before but found it absolutely stunning. Although she wasn't from there, it is a part of the country I will always associate with my mother as she loved it, so my annual trips there are a way of remembering her.

[Sarah]

Glad you enjoyed your visit to Dorset albeit with melancholy overtones. I am lucky enough to live here and know how uplifting the scenery can be. I hope you continue to heal. Sarah.

[Karen Greenfield]

I dream about my mother often. She's been gone since 1999 and I miss her often. I wish she was here to see her grandchildren (my two) growing up and being successful. When I dream about her, she's well and happy and not as sick and unable to walk as she was in the end of her life. My daughter remembers her well and we often speak the fun times we had with her like the time she rescued a baby bird, kept it alive until it had flight feathers and then unbelievably taught it to fly! It finally flew away with adult birds and we assume did quite well. Will keep you in my thoughts.

[Toni]

I just loved seeing the Morris Dancers and esp. the Border Morris dancers you wrote about. There's something about tugging at my heart in a special way. The music maybe, the dance...
I have found four leaf clovers during my childhood summers spent up in the country away from the city.
Did they bring me luck? I don't know. I do feel blessed though, so maybe. Glad you had some good memories to ease the heavy ones. It does get easier but it takes time.

[Jenny Young]

Change can be the hardest or the most exciting part of life. Flexibility is so very hard!

I remember my mamma always finding 4-leaf clovers. She would tell the story of visiting the house I grew up in when I was a baby. They were thinking of buying the house. After looking through it she sat on the edge of the porch looking around & as she looked down she found a whole patch of 4-leaf clovers! I remember her finding them over & over again as I grew up.

At my own home, 1,000 miles from her home, I've found many 4-leaf clovers as well but nearly as many as she found.

[Charlotte.]

Thank you for sharing your visit to Dorset. Still working on Summer Harmony.

[Sierra]

I laughed right out loud when you talked about persuading your kids to throw their stones at a non-moving target instead of their sibling. So so accurate of having siblings. I hope that your loss turns back into joy soon, sorry you've lost your mom.

[josiekitten]

Your photos of Dorset really make me want to visit - my Mum's family came from Bridport for generations! I'm sure that it has been very emotional and sad being there but I promise you that it does get easier. You can remember without the heavy heart. Hugs to you. xxx