Sunday 7 August 2011

What we did on our holidays.

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.

31 comments:

Cda00uk said...

It all sounds wonderful - makes me want a holiday in Dorset - and I live in Hampshire.

Couldn't agree more abut the relative merits of Persuasion and TFLW - a book I read twice without realising till I got to the end that I'd read it before.

And if you want to see ageing folkies, go to a Tom Paxton concert...

Hanni said...

What a lovely holiday,beautiful pictures, I love all the cottages.

Monica said...

It was the best of England and your report was so enjoyable. Love the food and flowers. It sounds and looks like a perfect vacation.

Anna said...

I really enjoyed your holiday post, years ago I stayed in that village. My sister farms near Bridport and I just love the area, you even had a photo of my favourite hill!!I'm going down later in the month and looking forward to it.Love all your photos, glad you had a good time.

Marigold Jam said...

Now you know why I am so happy to be back in UK and living on the doorstep of all these lovely places! I think that hill must be Colmer's Hill.

Iconic and much-loved hill overlooking Bridport.

Named after the Reverend John Colmer, former rector of Symondsbury. The Hill, although only 400 feet above sea level can be seen from many locations, not least from the centre of Bridport in South Street. The trees were planted on the top of the hill around WWI and it is an extremely popular subject for artists and photographers alike.

Bridport Radio recently reported

"AN ICONIC Bridport landmark could be recreated next to the River Thames in time for the 2012 Olympics.

Colmer's Hill is the inspiration behind a proposal for an unusual arts and cultural building next to Tower Bridge.

It has been billed as one of 100 artworks that will change the world and was presented to the Olympic committee by a group of specialists and volunteers.

Inside the building, being called The Hill, will be a series of large rooms or caves and tunnels."

So look out for the 2012 remake of a wonderful local landmark. From here:
http://www.hiddendorset.org/index.php/hd/gem/hd1146.html

Heloise said...

Glad that you had such a wonderful time. I just want to be there now having read your blog post.

Shoshi said...

Jackie - very many congratulations on your wedding anniversary. What a lovely time you had away, and what beautiful photos - thanks for sharing! A real delight. My hubby grew up in Lyme Regis, and a few years ago we scattered his father's ashes into the sea just below the Cob.

I see you like taking quirky photos of things like window catches, like me!! My hubby always teases me about that!

We are not a million miles away from where you went. We know Ottery St. Mary and have spent many happy hours wandering along the sea front at Sidmouth!

Thanks for sharing a lovely trip with us. I really enjoyed it.

Heather said...

Beautiful post Jackie - I feel as if I've been on holiday too. Your photos are wonderful and the place you stayed in looks like Paradise. I love Dorset and Lyme Regis in particular, and have been there several times. That little hill with the trees on top is Colmar Hill I think. We used to call antirrhinums 'Snap Dragons' as children and liked to press the fat part of the fallen flowers to make their mouths open.

Daisie said...

What a fantastic holiday, I haven't been to Lyme in nearly eight years, a walk on the cobb is wonderful and always reminds me of when we spent a new year there when I was young, fireworks look so good over the sea. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures xxx

Karen said...

it looks amazing!!!

Penny said...

More places I would love to visit if we ever get back to the UK! Thank you for a lovely post and photos.

Sheeprustler said...

What a lovely week! And thanks for all the great photos. I have been to some of these places and it made me feel nostalgic. I loved everything you wrote about and showed, but especially the hairy Loch Ness Monster!

Robin Mac said...

What a fantastic holiday, I am so glad you have shared it with us. I adored the thatched cottages we saw in that part of the world - took me back to our childhood stories, which were mostly English countryside, even though we are in Australia. We tried to stop t Cheddar Gorge once, but it was high summer and the lineup of coaches was unbelievable! My husband hates crowds so he simply said there was nowhere to park and kept going!!!

ArtPropelled said...

The first thing I thought of was The French Lieutenant's Woman (Also hated that book!). I thoroughly enjoyed following in your footsteps. ... and could almost taste that hot Cornish pastie. Glad you had such a lovely trip, Jackie.

Heather Woollove said...

Oh, Jackie---Now I know what I want to do for my next English holiday!! Wow...you sure do organize the nicest trips!! XXO-

Caroline said...

I spent a weekend in Lyme this summer - was at school there many moons ago and a few years back tried to buy a house in Morecombelake! Lovely pics and I can smell those sweetpeas - thanks for taking us along!

Jude said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely..yum, yum!!
x

Jude said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely..yum, yum!!
x

menopausalmusing said...

I'm with Jude......... I've put on about a stone reading this post!!! You look to have had a wonderful time. I loved the look of the cottage and its garden and your post was NOT at all showey offey. Happy Anniversary!

artymess said...

I so enjoyed that post i love Lyme Regis and used to take my children to Abbotsbury .........and we had a little wooden boat called Amelia (she is now cut in half and sitting upright in my front garden)that was made in Seaton so loads of connections .....so pleased you had a wonderful anniversary holiday .....and cant wait to see what you make out of all that lovely colour palette .........xx

ju-north said...

A bit different to Harris! (I am guessing which you prefer!)

lazyhill said...

how lovely it was to meet you both and take some more of your beautiful work - some sold already.
So glad you enjoyed your holiday here - it's a wonderful place to live but ruinous for the figure...

Maggi said...

Really enjoyed travelling through your holiday with you. Thank you.

Rachel said...

It sounds like you made the most of every minute!

Soggibottom said...

long post :-)
xxx

Els said...

How lovely Jackie, we had a bit of holiday too ;-)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your holiday,the photos are beautiful,I'm glad you had such a good time.

CAROLYN SAXBY said...

Wonderful photos and memories. So glad you had a fab holiday. Happy belated wedding anniversary. See you in a few days xoxo

Rosie said...

You've convinced me - retirement to Dorset is obviously a MUST (especially now that I've rediscovered how WET it is oop north). I didn't know you guys were folkies - us too!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

ahhhhh - after reading that I feel as though I've been on holiday too. How I wish!!

Anonymous said...

It sounds absolutely wonderful. Fabulous food and Dorset - perfect. I think you'll find the snowdrop-like plant is a species of Galtonia. I've got a couple in pots but just had a quick Google and they do seem to grow that big. :o)



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