Blogtober 2021 :: Day 26

I slept so well last night, the kind of deep sleep that comes after a day of travelling when you are weary right down to your bones. I woke at 6.30am when it was still dark and went downstairs in the oh-so-quiet house to make myself a big mug of tea to bring back to bed. I sat and sipped my tea and waited for the daylight to creep in - this bedroom is east facing and at the top of a hill so on clear mornings the sunrise over the surrounding landscape is wonderful. Today though, it was cloudy and grey and there was a deliciously damp, fresh smell in the air so I guessed it must have rained a little in the night.

I set off to walk the mile into town around 9.30, a route that is so very familiar to me I could probably do it with my eyes closed. I snapped the photo above to show you the roses here - right now they are laden with fat red hips but in the summer those hips were pink roses. They were scented too, and I cannot tell you how amazing the scent was on a warm summers evening, I shall never forget it.

Walking down through Bridport town and it all felt and looked reassuringly familiar. Some things inevitably change over time but much has stayed the same since I was a child. There is a great variety of independent shops and cafés and it's so nice to see these little businesses thriving.

This is the window of Leakers Bakery which has been here as long as I can remember - the bakery is over one hundred years old, isn't that amazing? I think before I leave I'm going to treat myself to something from those baskets, and I'll be sure to share it with you.

My Dad made me my breakfast, he has the exact same thing every single morning and seems to like feeding it to me too - a slice of seeded toast topped with scrambled egg and smoked salmon. It was really yummy, and surprisingly filling. I had an idea that while I'm here I'm going to take my Dad and Lady B out for coffee each morning, we're going to visit a different café each time. I know, I'm full of good ideas. My Dad doesn't especially like cafés (he's more of a pub man) but he shuffled along with me this morning and I think he enjoyed it, but he looked very uncomfortable perched on the trendy metal vintage bar stool. I'll hopefully find somewhere more comfy for him tomorrow. I had my usual cappuccino and it was extremely good I have to say - thank you Soulshine Café for the delicious caffeine fix.

I also want to give a little wave and a shout out to the lovely Carole who I bumped into this morning - a crocheter and knitter who reads my blog and recognised me as I was on way to Soulshine. Sometimes I do come across people who look at me as if they know me and as if they want to say something, but then they walk on by - it's an absolute delight when that look of recognition turns into a conversation. So if you do ever see me wandering about the place, do please stop me and say hello!!

After our coffee outing it was high time for me to get my sea fix, my goodness I was fairly desperate for it. We drove the short few miles down to West Bay which always delivers the biggest dose of nostalgia for me. I have so many fond memories of this place, from times when I was very young and on holiday here, through my teenage years living here, then all the many, many summers that I've visited as an adult, and as a Mummy with the Littln's. Quite simply it is home, and my heart and soul are always tripping over themselves with happiness when I'm here.

As you can see, I didn't get my wished for blue skies, it was grey and chilly with gulls screeching and the wind blowing and I absolutely loved it. We walked around the harbour....

.....then all the way along the promenade to the very end. It was really windy along here, the kind that whips your hair into a knot and steals your breathe away.

The tide was high and the sea was pretty rough as it crashed into the rocks...

...the sound and salty tang of it was absolutely fantastic. 

I could have stood here watching the waves for ages, but somewhere along the way we'd lost my Dad and so we needed to retrace our steps and see where he had got to. I think he'd started to feel the cold and had retreated to a bench inside a little shelter to wait for us - we did eventually find him so all was well.

I didn't spend long on the beach because of the Dad-in-the-Shelter situation. He told me not to hurry but I felt bad with him sitting there with his woolly hat pulled right down and his hands rammed into his pockets all huddled into himself.

It was so so good to have my feet on the pebbles for a short while though, grounded to the place that's home to my soul. Breathing out, feeling the ease of it right down to my toes.

Back around the harbour again....

....loving the fishing boats bobbing about in the water, the bright colours and jolly jauntiness of them really appealing to me.

We'd conveniently parked the car right outside the pub.....

....so we decided to take the weight off our feet for a while and get rid of the chill in our bones with a quick afternoon tipple. I treated my Dad to his favourite whiskey which he likes to drink with a splash of hot water, and I enjoyed a cheeky little glass of chilled white wine. It was just a really lovely end to the afternoon I have to say. My Dad is now very, very slow on his feet and doesn't really like walking around all that much, so I was ever so glad that he agreed to come to the sea with us as often times he just refuses. Happy days.

When we got back to Lady B's, I helped her get started on a new crochet blanket. And when I say helped, I mean I made that long wiggly chain and worked a couple of ripply stripes to get the blanket off the starting blocks. She's using up a stash of yarn left over from making other blankets so it's going to be very colourfully eclectic shall we say! I taught Lady B to crochet many years ago so that she could have something to occupy her hands when she was giving up smoking. Now many blankets later she is still a very proud non smoker and a happy hooker. 

Right my lovelies, it's time for me to settle down and get some shut eye now, I hope you've enjoyed my photos and blurb today and I'll be back tomorrow with more....see you then.

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Comments

[LynW]

you have brought tears to my eyes this morning here in NZ - I do not get homesick but occasionally nostalgia creeps in, like today. You see, 'we' got married some 19 years ago in Bridport Registry Office as we so loved the town although we lived a little inland.

we went to a lovely pub in a village about half way home and celebrated with Soz&Mash!! of all things eh...happy days...needless to say but I loved your pics this morning.

hope Dad enjoyed the walk with you despite the chill of the day, whisky always hits the spot...

[Debbie Tristram]

Love that you are on holiday and keeping going with your daily October blog. That is dedication. I was at West Bay this afternoon and it was very windy and so exhilarating with that lovely salty seaside taste on your lips. Enjoy your stay with your dad. They are the best.xx

[Joanna Mchugh]

Ive just visited Skipton and think I spotted you on Friday but didnt want to speak. Not as brave as Carol. Loved looking back through your blog and spotted places we have walked past. Definitely be back to Skipton xx

[Monica]

Beautiful photos, as always. Although I am not an english native speaker, I love your fluid and simple writing and the way you share your days. I'm loving your blogtober! (And I absolutely understand the hapiness of beeing near the sea). Kisses from Lisbon!

[Becca L]

There's something about the feeling you get when you go back home to be by the sea you can't get anywhere else. For me it's going back to the Isle of Wight. I'm feeling nostalgic just thinking about it.

[Rita willetts]

Especially loved today’s blog. I too love this area, and know it v well. Perhaps not as well as you do though. I miss standing and watching the waves and standing on the beach. We had a static caravan in Burton Bradstock for years. But due to my husbands severe stroke had to sell it. But have such lovely memories of that area. Enjoy all your happy memories, relaxing in familiar places. I love reading your blogs, so gentle. The simple things of sitting enjoying a coffee and a walk are the best. You never realise how special they are till you can no longer do them! Take care x

[Ruth]

What a nice talent for photography and writing you possess. I love reading your blog. Thanks for sharing your talents.

[Carol]

Just a lovely blog,quite enjoyable as always! Thanks for sharing!Carol♥️

[Charlotte Pountney]

A lovely flavour of the seaside, Lucy - thank you. Enjoy your time with your Dad...and sleep well. x