December

Getting close to Christmas now - and I can feel a little panic collecting in my tum - as lots of jobs still not done - but on a positive note all the Christmas wreaths (except 1) have been done - loads of them with loads of help raising funds of over £1k for prostate cancer.  My outside decs are up and glowing in the the dark, we still have to complete indoors - but bedrooms are being painted so it will all happen next week.  Lovely bright weekend just gone - so a photo of Mangerton Lake in December attached.  Happy Christmas one and all.

Late Autumn

November - and its remarkably warm.  Russ and I went for a lovely walk yesterday along the banks of the River Asker which have been made up for walkers and cyclists.  We met so many people we knew - because it was such a lovely warm day.  This walk takes us past a tiny hump back bridge - called Happy Island.  And it is - there were loads of children playing.  A bit cloudier today - but still warm enough for me to get out in the garden and plant some mixed leaf lettuce in the polytunnel.  I am attaching a photo taken by a friend who stayed a month or so ago - its a yellow wagtail.  Brilliant photography.

October

Well we've had a bit of rain here!  Following a completely dry September its been raining.  Russ and I have just come back from a little walk across the fields.  He's had a lovely time!  We've had some pheasant poults reared here this year, but their keeper was a little enthusiastic about keeping the grass down outside their pen, and managed to strim a hole (very small) in their enclosure.  Naturally,  all managed to escape!!  Bit like Chicken Run.  The keeper went out and purchased 90 more, and we are blessed with lots of pheasants roaming around. Something for the pup to chase!  But on a different note, last night as we walked round the lake I saw a water vole.  They are surprisingly large!  This is the first year I have ever seen them.  I have robbed a picture from the net to accompany this piece.

Beginning of Autumn

Wow, what a busy summer we have had, and its still busy.  An absolutely beautiful day - and the farmer and I have been to the ploughing and hedging match a few miles away.  I still have the smell of soil in my nose.  It was held at Netherbury - a stunning village, and the views were magnificent.  It took a long time to walk from one end to the other - as there were so many people we knew and had lots of little chats.  I am comfortably weary now, and must do a little gardening.  The farmer is going to barbecue some pork.  What a pleasant end to September

Mid August

Where is August going??  I am sat here waiting for new guests to arrive.  The sunshine is streaming through the windows - but we've just had a little shower.  The garden has been producing really well, so I have made plum jam, piccallili, apple and marrow chutney, beetroots are wonderful, and the runner beans are now really meaning it....  The cucumbers have been so prolific that The Farmer has to eat at least one a day.  The courgettes keep trying to become marrows when my back is turned, hence the chutney...  I am now clearing the fruit cage - as new plans for next year.  Melplash Show on Thursday, and I have been making loads of apple cakes for the honey tent.  Its all go!

Late July

The year is rushing through, but we are having an absolutely beautiful summer.  I have taken the pup out for a walk across the meadows this evening - now its a bit cooler.  The farmer on the hill is loading his small trailer with small bales - in the old fashion way!  When I was a child we used to drag in friends and family to load the bales - but this man was just on his own, working his way through 30 acres...  One or two things spotted. It always heartens me to see the kingfisher, that flash of blue is so beautiful.  I also saw a common sandpiper shooting across the lake.  The martins and swallows were very lively this evening.  Several clouds of small fry in the lake whizzing about.  Its all action!

This is Seatown, which is a beautiful little bit of Dorset.  This week I met up with friends and we walked from Chideock a short step down to the beach.  It was a beautiful day - in fact a perfect day.  The Anchor at Seatown has recently had a make over, and vast amounts of money have been spent enhancing the sitting area outside and more.  We spent a lovely few hours in the sunshine, watching people in the sea, and on the beach.  It was lovely.  This picture is how the pub was before the revamp, you will have to visit to see what it looks like now.

Introducing Russ

Well, was there life before Russ?  He has been with us now 3 weeks and is definitely part of the family...  his toys litter the place, but that's not enough.  He steals everyone's shoes, bites the flower heads, digs the garden, chases the hens, stands up to the gander.  Bit afraid of fishermen... but then.  He has about 10 minutes of complete naughtiness, then crashes out for a sleep.  Totally adorable - but with sharp teeth...

Mid May

Well, what a busy time we all have had!  Have just finished a First Aid course - which was very informative and fun.  Today, I have been to Lyme on a History Walk.  It was so good!  Lyme is absolutely packed full of interest - the Civil War, the Monmouth Rebellion.  It had its fair share of buccaneers, rebels and smugglers, as well as our famous lady - Mary Anning.  The tide was out and it was really hot and sunny.  I shall be back shortly to check out Lyme's Museum.

Bridport Rugby Tour

Its been a quiet weekend - insofar as the boys have gone off to the Isle of Wight on a rugby tour.  Bridport lost - but someone has to.  I have been left, manning the fort.  Had delightful guests who have been down to Charmouth fossicking.  I think they had quite a success, as requested breakfast at 7.30am and then went back again!  I am  picking my time to dash down and feed the geese - as we keep having April showers; but all in all, with the beautiful blossoms its been very nice.

Golden Cap

I have been rambling lyrically about walking from Charmouth, across Stonebarrow, down to St Gabriels chapel ruins then up to Golden Cap.  Somewhere in the depths of hyperspace my little blog has disappeared.  But just to say a lovely spring walk in Dorset along part of the Jurassic Coast can be the cure for all ills.  Nothing better than a time for reflection, a collection of thoughts and a fantastic view!

End of March

We have had a real frost this morning - and this winter there have been very few!  I had to rush out last night and cover the seedlings in the greenhouse - there are a few left that the mice have neglected....  Well, after more years than I care to own up to I have finally completed my patchwork quilt.  Thousands of stitches, on a prayer at the end as of the navy blue I had 2 patches left over....  Once I have done a little more hand sewing it will reside on our bed!  Now I must get on with the kitchen curtains - then what?

My Birthday!

I just wish to share with the few that view this blog that today is my birthday.  I don't think I have ever had such a warm, sunny spring day for a birthday - or been to the beach where it is crowded with families lying and playing in the sun.  My youngest son took us to The Hive Beach Cafe at Burton Bradstock where we had an excellent lunch - cooked by my eldest!  I also had lots of flowers, and other gifts.  Feeling very blessed now!

Spring morning

Been for a lovely walk round the lake - which is full of ducks, toads and leaping fish.  Its sunny and everything is bursting forth.  The daffs are swaying and the primroses dripping down the banks.  Down through the valley the birds are singing their hearts out - especially the thrush.  All is good with the world!

Happy Friday

Expecting a full house of new guests this weekend.  Fresh bake chocolate cake to welcome them in!

1st March St David's Day

Its been a beautiful day, and March has come in like a lamb...  There is a definite feel of Spring - and I have been down to the local market - where its quite busy with people milling about.  Well, Wales has St David as their patron, but here is Dorset we have St Wite (or St Candida as she is sometimes known).  Her shrine is in the Church at Whitchurch Canonicorum, about 5 miles from here.  Other than Westminster Abbey it is the only church which has its original medieval shrine and relics.  It is a place of pilgrimage. 
Spring, as mentioned, is now making a presence and suddenly the garden and hedgerows are becoming colourful.  I have been on a lovely walk with one of my guests.  We set off from here at New House Farm and we hiked out through the valley and over to the next parish.  I was on the look out for violets - but I think its a bit early, but there were plenty of primroses.

February

Its a beautiful morning after such a wet January.  Everything is very green with a dramatic sky.  Yesterday I paid Charmouth a visit.  The beach is full of drift wood, and lots of people collecting it. 

I then went for a walk up to Stonebarrow.  The views from the top are far reaching - to the east there is Golden Cap, to the north the Marshwood Vale then back to the west Lyme Regis and a very choppy sea.  It was so nice to be out and the wind was very refreshing!