Helloooooo my lovelies! I'm back in the Attic after a weeny break, I hadn't intended to be gone for so long but I've enjoyed my un-planned time away from my laptop I have to say. It's good to be back though, I've missed my Attic space and I've got quite a bit of catching up to do....lots of miscellaneous chat coming your way in the days to come .... haha .... please don't run away!
During the first week of the holidays at the end of July, we made the three hundred mile journey south for a short holiday in Dorset. It surprised me to realise that it had been two years since our last family trip there in the summer of '17 - I went down twice last year but they were both solo journeys by train.
As you can see, our first day wasn't really the summer heatwave that we had been expecting - the sea mist was thick and persistent, giving a rather eerie feel to the coastline. Looking at the above photo, you wouldn't know that there was a one hundred and forty foot cliff face sat right there would you?
It didn't matter though, because I was back in my Happy Place, and no amount of eerie mist was going to dampen my spirits. It was really special being back with J and the Little Peeps (although we were missing the Big Teen) and our customary first-day stroll around the harbour and out along the pier filled me with sea-breezy joy. I've lived away from Dorset for over thirty years now and although I absolutely LOVE my life here in North Yorkshire, Dorset will always be home for me. Every time I return I feel an overwhelming sense of being back where I belong - it's a good feeling, kind of warm and reassuring somehow.
Our first day pootled along at a deliciously leisurely holiday pace - coffee and brunch by the sea, then a lazy afternoon spent with my Dad and Lady B enjoying her beautiful walled garden. I have to say that an ice cold G&T really does hit the spot rather nicely, especially on a warm, hazy afternoon after a huge dose of sea air. Ahh, slow summer holidays..........talk about laid back relaxation, I was practically horizontal when I got to the bottom of that glass!
Day two, and welcome to the Heat Wave. The people in the know with weather stuff had predicted this heat wave coming and despite the damp murk of the previous day, the hot weather did indeed arrive. I am a sun lover through and through, and waking up in Dorset to a bright blue sky with the sound of seagulls overhead and the promise of blazing sunshine and I was truly happy with my lot.
When we arrive in Dorset, one of the first things my Dad always asks me is "do you have any plans while you're here?" which makes me laugh - the answer is always a very firm "no!". We aren't a family who plans much, and for me personally I really enjoy the start of a holiday with the days stretching ahead and nothing decided upon. I love the freedom of being able to choose at whim what to do and where to go according to the current mood, it's a luxury that escapes us when we are caught up in our day to day life juggling work, school, home, jobs, routines.
So on this Tuesday when we were gifted blue sky, sunshine and heat, we decided to pack up a simple picnic lunch and head upwards to find far reaching views and a cooling breeze. If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you will have no doubt inhaled countless Dorset posts from me over the years. You may even be familiar with this particular place that calls to us pretty much every time we are on holiday there. I don't know what it is about St Catherine's Chapel that draws us there, but we always enjoy the peacefulness of the location and the views are spectacular.
Thankfully, the Little People have outgrown the shouting and running that used to dominate our time spent here and instead we wander gently in and out of this very special building, taking in the ancientness and admiring the rural views.
Did I already mention how much I love the summertime when the temperatures soar? We hit a beautifully pleasurable 30 degrees with a steady sea breeze to take the edge off and I couldn't have been happier. Our picnic was delicious and simple (salty crackers with Emmental cheese and peppery salami, baby plum tomatoes and mini cucumbers, salt and vinegar crisps, the juiciest ripe cherries and some partially melted chocolate biscuits). We spread our picnic blanket on the grass right up against the old stone walls of the chapel and lazed about in the heat of the early afternoon.
Eventually it was time to move on.....I was longing to be closer to the sea and the Little People suddenly set up a verbal chant for ice cream, so off we went.......
....down to the sea at Burton Bradstock. You can see the beach in the above photo, packed full of holiday makers enjoying the sunshine. The Hive beach cafe was hugely busy (it was packed out actually) but we manged to find a shady table and enjoyed ice cold drinks and delicious ice creams. I really wanted to go and paddle my feet in the sea but J was having none of it (he doesn't really do hot, crowded beaches, he's a winter soul in contrast to my summer one). So after we'd finished up our refreshments we headed back into town to spend time with family and enjoy a second round of walled garden delights.....
.....oh, so beautiful! The tail end of a long hot day, this was around 7.30pm in that beautiful golden time just before the sun disappeared behind the rooftops.
We had planned to cook our dinner on the beach and had purchased all the gubbins for barbecue burgers and s'mores. But the weather folks predicted thunderstorms and as we could feel the threat of rain in the air we decided to bring the barbecue experience to Lady B's back garden. It was lovely actually - not quite the same as cooking and eating on the beach but the rain (mostly) held off and J did his usual amazing job of cooking the burgers to perfection. The Little Peeps were then let loose with marshmallows on sticks and the disposable barbecue did remarkably well at giving them their s'more fix.
Little B asked if he could borrow my camera and spent ages roaming the garden practicing his macro shooting skillz. I shall spare you the entire photo gallery of thirty three miscellaneous objects in close up detail, but hope you enjoy the lavender. It was fascinating to see what caught his eye, he does seem to have a real genuine love of flowers (hmmm, I wonder where he gets that from?)
Day three, and more lush hot sunny weather to go and play in, oh the joy!! We decided not to travel far on this day, choosing instead to stay at our local patch of coast at West Bay. We were on a brunch mission (I think brunch is my absolute favourite meal of the day at weekends or when I'm on holiday) and wanted to treat my Dad and Lady B to a lovely meal out.
We chose to go to a fairly new place called Rise. The building used to be a rather posh (but slightly faded) seafood restaurant - it's in a brilliant location at the wide mouth of the river just before it enters the harbour. It's a tiny piece of land surrounded by water which is accessed via a little wooden footbridge, so it feels kind of special before you even set foot in the building.
The building has been beautifully renovated inside and has a relaxed beachy vibe. There is an area with comfy looking squishy sofas around a log burning stove which I feel sure I will make a special visit for in the winter, and the dining area is all wood and natural textures, beautiful patterned textiles and loads of plants. I felt so at home there!
But it was the outdoor riverside garden that called to us on this warm sunny morning. It was utter perfection - plenty of space, gorgeous views of the river and harbour and genius glass paneling which kept the breeze at bay. I can honestly say we all really enjoyed that meal, it was everything I'd hoped for and more. The Little People are brilliant eater-outers, they have healthy appetites and pretty mature tastes but best of all they really appreciate it, not just the food itself but the joy of spending time with family and making a simple meal into a memorable social occasion.
Just behind Rise there is a field next to the river which has always been home to the travelling fairground in summer. I remember it so clearly from when I was a child, and just the sight of it made me feel incredibly nostalgic. It's all a little brash I suppose, but it made me ponder on what a Fairground colour palette might look like?!
Our day continued to unfold at a leisurely pace. It's early afternoon now and we are strolling around the harbour which is looking much more summery than it did on day one of our holiday.
Out along the pier - we are very slowly ambling, kind of like I imagine families would have done in the olden days - good old fashioned promenading, taking in the sea air. My dad is pretty fit and well in general but he has slowed a lot with age and walks veeeeeeeeeeery slowly. I found it interesting in that I generally walk a lot in my day to day life and my natural walking pace is quite fast as I usually have a purpose or a time limit. It's an entirely different experience to walk slowly for pleasure, to really be aware of putting one foot gently in front of the other. I liked it a lot, the mindfulness of walking, experiencing gratitude for something that is so easy to overlook and take for granted.
Ahh, that's better, no more murky mist and the cliffs have returned!
We sat a while at the end of the pier, watching boats sail in and out of the harbour and feeling the sun on our faces. The colours of the sea were mesmerising, such rich, sparkling shades of turquoise, green and blue.
This time I managed to persuade J down onto the beach, much to the joy of the Little People. They didn't have swimming costumes with them, but that didn't stop them enjoying the sea. They rolled up their shorts and went in as deep as their clothes allowed, splashing and playing in the water for ages. It was delightful watching them play together, just as they did when they were much younger.
Eventually we pulled ourselves off the beach, dried off a very sodden Little B as best as we could and made our way to the nearest pub. What better way to round off the afternoon than with an ice cold drink of something yummy?! Seaside beachy pubs are rather lovely I think, especially when you can sit outside and breathe in the salty air while you enjoy some refreshment.
Later that same day, we decided on the spur of the moment that we needed one last sea fix. It had been a perfect hot summers day and the evening was still beautifully warm and golden, so we drove down to Burton beach to sit a while by the sea.
It was around 9pm and the colours of the sea and sky were magical.
I love having my crochet blankets with me when we're on holiday, it's just the best feeling to see them being used and loved and to have the visual joy of all those colours singing into the outdoors. I made this blanket in the summer of '16 and I absolutely adore it. I also had my Coast Ripple blanket with me (I always bring this to Dorset as it's like bringing it home) - I couldn't photograph it however as Little Lady had rolled herself up in it like an enchilada! She laid herself out on the still warm shingle of the beach, quietly watching the sky change colour as the day came to a gentle end. It was a weeny bit magical being down on the beach until 9.30pm, a time when we are usually thinking about heading to bed when we are at home.
Day four, and another scorcher. We had a slow start to our day, enjoying the opportunity to have a lie in and some slow time lazing around in the garden. After a short family discussion, the general agreement was for beach, sea and food with minimal effort involved, so we packed up another simple picnic lunch and headed to one of our favourite Chesil beach spots at West Bexington. This is a very quiet and unspoilt stretch of coast and I adore the sense of natural tranquility here.
It was very hot on this day, too hot to really walk very far but I took myself off for a little stroll along the top of the shingle beach. I love seeing flowers growing on the beach, it's always so unexpected somehow.
This is sea kale ↑ which grows in abundance along this stretch of the coast.
The beach here at West Bex isn't flat, in fact the slope of shingle is constantly shifting and changing throughout the year. Sometimes the ridge is very steep indeed which makes for a fun experience with flip flops, haha! The seagulls made me laugh, they looked as if they were waiting in line for something (maybe waiting for me to trip over my flip-flop feet as I stumbled around in the shingle).....
....and they didn't especially like me taking their photograph either!
In the heat of the midday sun, we were so very, very glad that we remembered to sling our old beach tent into the car before we left home. It gave us some welcome shade as we ate our picnic and made a long, hot beach afternoon feel beautifully relaxed. You can see how quiet this beach is, so different from the more popular stretches of coast further to the west. You can also see the car park to the left of the beach in the above photo, and this is the very thing that makes West Bexington such a great place for a picnic or barbecue as you only have a very short journey to make with alllllll the paraphernalia - winning!
This end of Chesil beach is made up of very small stones, they are smooth and rounded and in the height of summer they are also very hot, which was certainly a challenge for the Little People making their way from crochet blanket to sea....kind of a speedy running hobble! Made me laugh - I've got loads of photos of us all from this day, lounging around, hobbling and paddling. Fun times for sure.
I happen to really, really like shingle beaches because the little stones don't get into every single thing like fine sand does, and I enjoy sifting the weeny smooth pebbles through my fingers too. Oh, and did I mention the sound of the sea? Waves gently breaking and retreating on a shingle beach have a very particular sound, it's one of the most rhythmic and soothing things to listen to (to give you an idea, turn up your sound and take a few minutes to listen to this video).
Ahhh, I just love this beach.....can you tell??!!
Much later that day, after a lovely family meal out at a local pub with my Dad, Lady B and my sister-in-law and nephews who were passing through town, we once again took to the hills. This time we drove up to J's favourite Dorset spot, Eggardon Hill. I've been coming up here since I was a small child and have sooooo many memories of fun family times spent on these high slopes. We arrived just as the sun was dipping over the horizon at 9pm.....
....with just enough light left to take a short stroll.
We had no real reason to come up here, other than we all had the feeling that we weren't quite ready for the day to end.
We didn't walk far, just across the field and along the main ridge of this ancient hill fort with it's long distance views out towards the coast. We had chocolate and blankets, and all we planned to do was sit a while to breathe it all in.....
......so, so, so good.
I didn't know that J had snapped this photo of us - he sent it to my phone a few days later once we were home in the Attic and I just sighed with the absolute pleasure of the memory. Such sweet family times.
We really enjoyed our time away, it was lovely to disconnect from technology for a while and spend so much time outdoors. And despite a hellish journey back I came home feeling refreshed and energised and so thankful for the many pleasures of a simple family holiday and all the memories we made. I love my Dorset trips so much and really value the regular re-connection with my childhood place, but honestly it's really nice to be back home again. Home to number twenty four, and all is well....happy me :)
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Thank you for sharing this as I love Dorset. I am now determined to stay next year in Dorset after looking at this blog. xx
Posted by: Suzanne EASTMAN | September 08, 2019 at 01:25 PM
I live in Brittany now; I love it and after 20+ years have a store of memories and special places. I seldom feel any kind of homesickness or nostalgia for the UK, where I only occasionally visit family in the south-east. But your posts about Dorset, where I spent many childhood holidays and lived for a time before we came to France, nearly make me weep with longing. Eggardon Hill is surely one of the most beautiful places in all creation.
I may go back there one day, but I'm almost afraid to in case it doesn't quite meet the kind of 'blue remembered hills' memory I have of it.
Posted by: Lucy | August 21, 2019 at 07:18 AM
Beautiful images of West Bay and Dorset. Did you notice the new Discovery Centre at West Bay? It looks like your first image down here at the moment! Sarah x
Posted by: Sarah | August 14, 2019 at 08:56 PM
❤❤❤❤❤ LOVED it ☺
Posted by: Nora Mcgrann | August 11, 2019 at 04:33 PM
I loved seeing your visit to Dorset....I recognized those cliffs and scenery from a show I have now on DVD called "Broadchurch"......West Bay was always our first port of call when travelling in early June with my Mum and Dad as a girl from Essex. Such fond memories.....funny from that show those cliffs looked so familiar...now I know where it is...so thank you! You also live in another part of the country I love. I don't crochet....but admire your work, my aged mum still does and I often show her your beautiful work. Having lived in Australia a long time its lovely to see your photo's.....time to plan another trip I think. Thanks!
Posted by: Chelsea | August 11, 2019 at 01:27 AM
Lucy, I feel wonderfully refreshed after reading your Dorset posting. I could hear the waves on the shingle and put myself there. I miss the ocean and each year think we may travel out there but living in the Midwest of the U.S. means traveling at least two days or more to reach it. Thanks for the vacation.
Posted by: Libby Parker | August 10, 2019 at 06:14 PM
Thank you for sharing. It feels like I went to Dorset.
Posted by: Charlotte. | August 10, 2019 at 01:02 PM
SO lovely to be "alongside" you in your visits to parts of England I've never seen -- or heard! Shingle beaches are not a regular feature in Oz! Thank you for your wonderful commentary & photos! X
Posted by: Kristine S | August 10, 2019 at 03:01 AM
Lucy, thanks so much for this blog post. It's almost spiritual in a way. So soothing, yet charming & fun.
You made my day!
Sue
Posted by: Sue Floyd | August 10, 2019 at 01:33 AM
I feel the same about going back to the Isle of Wight where I grew up. It's been 15 years since I even lived there part of the time. We've had some lovely family holidays with our young children but I'm missing it so much as we're not going this year. I'll have to console myself with the beauty of the Highlands instead. Maybe I'll start my coast blanket pack ready to take on our next trip back.
Posted by: BeccaL | August 09, 2019 at 10:05 PM
It was nice to come along on this visit.
Posted by: Jane Dorfman | August 09, 2019 at 08:37 PM
Thanks for taking us on holiday with you! Your blanket on the beach is stunning :)
Posted by: Ann | August 09, 2019 at 08:23 PM
Thank you so much for sharing your vacation and lovely photos with us!
Posted by: Susan Conklin | August 09, 2019 at 07:30 PM
We lived at the other end of Dorset near Poole, and my favourite place to explore was the Isle of Purbeck. I have accepted we're never returning home permanently,but on the occasions when we do get back, it does feel like home (even though I'm a Hampshire Hog!) I'm glad you all had such a lovely holiday and great weather.
Posted by: jennie craine | August 09, 2019 at 06:47 PM
I had just finished a blog posting and then saw your lovely holiday post~ That wonderful view across the landscape with you and your family within it, beautiful, love the sun setting too across the fields...The misty rain is what we are experiencing here today with a storm blowing in...always enjoy your down-to-earth posts Lucy, a real joy!~ isnt it just wonderful when you dont need to plan anything just see how the days unfold, not in a routine of rushing around, so enjoy those precious moments...we always say 'its a magical mystery tour!' ;) x
Posted by: kazzy | August 09, 2019 at 04:58 PM
The Eggardon sunset was glorious - a small blazing jewel of enormous value to life and soul. The chapel open door view was such a pleasure. The picture of your family on the hillside just enjoying nature is a treasure. The Summer of '17 blanket is perfection. (I now think I do love mustard yellow) What a bright and beautiful post today. So happy for you and your family. Dorset is magical.
Posted by: Mary W | August 09, 2019 at 02:13 PM
The video with sea sounds of crashing waves on shingle makes me wish I was there. Thank you for including this... We just have "sand" here in Australia. Glad you had a relaxing holiday, Lisa
Posted by: Smallridge Lisa | August 09, 2019 at 01:54 PM
I know St Catherine's chapel. We stayed in a pub at the bottom of the hill, very dog friendly and with a roaring fire, jolly nice food too. And we went to West Bay this year. Has the cliff fall rubble gone now? wasn't a great fan of those little pebbles . We liked the vintage stores just before you get to the beach. The beach I really wish we had gone to is the one in Portland. Dorset is indeed a grand county, not as good as North Yorkshire but defo ok.
Posted by: Cathy | August 09, 2019 at 01:44 PM
Lovely post Lucy....going through a difficult phase myself and it gave me a lift!!
I'm really LOVING the idea of a Fairground palette as I love bright colours...bring it on and a kit to go with it!! <3
Posted by: Kathy Dignum | August 09, 2019 at 11:33 AM
Beach holidays are not really for me as I find the colours and landscapes rather dreary especially combined with the weather. I like nice greenery in preference. Sometimes of course the two combine.
But I see the sea as quite scary I think.
The colours of the fairground might be interesting though. They are a little brash but nevertheless quite interesting together. I am reminded of the Marseille tarot cards deck - a very old and traditional one.
I enjoy seeing where other people go and what they do, even if I don't want to go there.
Posted by: Sandra | August 09, 2019 at 11:02 AM
This is the first time I've read your posts and now I'm hooked!! Lovely simple family holidays :)
Just great.x
Posted by: gaina owen | August 09, 2019 at 10:38 AM
It sounds like an absolutely blissful break. It's a corner of the world I love too, although I haven't been there for a long time. I really should try and go back soon I think, it always looks so beautiful in your pictures. Chesil Beach is a delight isn't it. I'm glad the weather was so good for you as well. I fear we won't be as lucky when we tackle Wales later on in the summer. It promises to be bracing... CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | August 09, 2019 at 09:55 AM
A wonderful post so many memories for you and me.
I am just doing the borders on the Dune blanket it's so pretty, this one is for my Daughter this is my 5th blanket of yours now sand am so looking forward to the new one. I do think I will be using the odd wool and doing a granny square or maybe something else. Thanks fir so many memories Lucy.
Hazel c uk
Posted by: Hazel | August 09, 2019 at 09:54 AM
Love all the pictures - that last one is fab, the scale of it and that you’re wrapped up in your blanket next to two of yours. 💕
Posted by: Heather | August 09, 2019 at 08:41 AM
I love Dorset too, my Granny moved to Portland in her 90s so we enjoyed the larger rocks at the other end of the bay,but the sunsets over the water are stunning.
Posted by: Heidi Clarke | August 09, 2019 at 08:21 AM