The essay: Its a holiday diary for me to record one of the nicest holidays I've had for a while. We stayed in Morecombelake near Lyme Regis as you can see in the distance from part of the fantastic garden.
The day we arrived was our wedding anniversary so we had the half bottle of champagne our friends bought us. We wished we'd taken the large bottle as well!.The vase of sweet peas was left for us by our lovely hosts. The scent was everywhere.
On Sunday we ate at Downhouse Farm and were quite lucky to avoid the rain. They do clever things with lovely food and old drinks cans.
Its all very tasteful. Then we walked across the fields to Eype Beach. delightful but slightly drizzly.
Pebbles..we brought some home of course. Carefully selected for roundness.
The village of Eype had some chocolate box cottages with gardens full of fabulous flowers.
The garden below has a railway carriage to rent for holidays. I noticed this in particular because I harbour secret desires for a railway carriage in my garden..but before that, perhaps a garden big enough to accommodate one would be a good idea!
The garden of our cottage was also a delight with a private little pond just outside the window.
I had a good time with my new camera, recording the details of the lovely place.
Just look at the beetles on that! (Or not if you prefer)
This is the view from the other end of the pond.
The outside staircase(because the inside one is a bit narrow and steep and twisty) goes from the kitchen downstairs straight into the bathroom above!
There was a conservatory to sit in if we wanted. (Great for my husbands concertina practice)
The bedroom was beautiful with a very comfortable bed. (I always take my own pillow on holiday since a very lumpy sleepless experience in North Wales, but I didn't need it here.) We slept well. The windows had quirky wooden shutters for night time.
The cottage was lovely but the garden, the wider garden and house it all belonged to, were stunning.
We were told to feel free to wander anywhere, which we did, marvelling at the flower beds, herb gardens, trees and hedges, scents and sounds all around.
In this picture you can just about see the house.
The scents of flowers and herbs were a delight.
Textures of a variety of white flowers were carefully thought out. I love these poppies with their papery white petals, and there were some frilly ones nearby .
And what are these? They looked like giant snowdrops, and the nearest thing I can think of is a yucca.
Isn't it strange how something can just stop you in your tracks? Right in the middle of this I saw these antirrhinums, and was immediately taken back to the garden from my childhood. It was a council house for the first 7 years and snapdragons epitomise that ever-sunny-Enid Blyton- time.
On Monday we caught the Park and ride bus to Lyme Regis. I had my first and only'Cornish' pastie of the week. It was heavenly. Hot and delicious eaten from the bag whilst sitting on the sea wall fending off the seagulls and watching the world. Its obligatory.
Lyme Regis is a lot of fun. There's something for everyone.
The bucket and spade brigade, the fisherman, sunbathers, walkers, fossil hunters, sailors, swimmers, paddlers, shoppers, foodies, literary types.
As we walked along the Cobb I was thinking about Captain Wentworth and Louisa Musgrave.
( I didn't think about the French Lieutenants woman because I really hate that book.)
I spotted this sculpture in a
lovely area, near an old brewery and bakery using water power.
This building below is home to an aquarium with a very old lobster..according the boards outside, 80 years old. (How do they know?)
An amusing encounter on the promenade.
Lovely lichen covered rooftops.
This day would have been perfect. we were tired at about 6.30, having walked around for hours. So we went to the bus stop for the park and ride bus back to the car park.
If only it had occurred to one of us to have asked what time they finished! We waited..and waited...and eventually caught an ordinary bus. the driver was very nice as he said he was going past the car park he would drop us to pick up the car, but as we approached and saw that our car was the only one..we realised the gate was locked, and the key for the cottage was in the car. The lovely bus driver said 'Go and get it and I'll wait..but be quick!' My husband climbed over the gate and was back in no time, and the driver dropped us at the end of our lane. Fortunately the other passengers weren't in a hurry!
Tuesday was hot and sunny so we went to Seatown beach, where we had lunch at The Anchor:another obligatory food item, the crab sandwich, made even more delicious with a portion of chips!
Then we lay on the beach frying our skin and went for a wonderful swim in the sea. It was quite hard to get in because of the undertow and even harder to get out!
On Wednesday we had a day at Sidmouth (Via Abbotsbury which is I later found, in the opposite direction!) for the folk week. Here's the tail end of the procession of dancers. I had been to the old Sidmouth Folk festival in my youth. It was strange to be there over 30 years later, and also to see that many of the other people who were there were of a similar age.
Hairy Loch Ness monster too.
Our visit to Abbotsbury was to visit
Lazyhill Gallery, where we met Rachel who made us very welcome and took some more of my brooches. The Gallery is beautiful, I am very privileged to have my work stocked there.
Wednesday finished with another meal at The Anchor' at Seatown.
This post is getting too wordy so I'll simplify.
Thursday:Rain:Axminster; River Cottage Lunch-excellent pork pie!
Ottery St Mary Collegiate Church, Organist practising gave us a soundtrack.
Mosaic by Butterfield over a tomb of a member of the Coleridge family with her feet on an Otter!
The River Cottage Cheese haul.Great, especially the unpasteurised brie, but indigestion ensued.
Friday: Morning reading in the garden.
Then to Bridport. Knitted Garden exhibit at the Arts Centre.
Then lunch in the Art Centre Garden . (Just a note...we ate salad they grew in their garden which was about 2 foot square-I love Dorset)
Best bakery I've ever seen:Leakers.
Hive Beach for the afternoon, home then back to Hive Beach Cafe for a FANTASTIC meal.
What a way to end a holiday. Scallops overlooking the sea.
This little hill kept popping into view throughout our travels so I had to get a picture.
Home via Wells, another great cafe for lunch 'The Good Earth' and Cheddar Gorge .
A week in Dorset. Hope its not too showy-offy but I want to write it so I remember it.
