A weekend in Dorset was an opportunity to share the distance travelled, and to gather together for a long weekend. We stayed at Berwick Manor on the Puncknowle Manor Estate, and it couldn't have been more perfect.
There was a huge but cosy eat-in kitchen with aga and scrubbed farmhouse table which set the scene for the delicious meals we shared. A choice of sitting rooms meant that those who needed a little peace and quiet could easily escape and curl up with a book or the papers. There was a walled garden at the back, and over the road the house's own orchard where we had free access to the laden boughs of ripening apples.
Chesil Beach was a few miles away - we enjoyed a lovely amble over the shingle in the most perfect sunny weather, pausing here and there to sift through the pebbles in the hope of finding 'the perfect one'.
I love being by the sea, and was reminded just how varied the english coastline is. The Dorset coastal landscape was very lush and hilly - and very beautiful, but for me it lacks the wildness that I so treasure in West Cornwall. Sometimes it's good to be reminded of these things.
On the sunday we enjoyed a spectacular lunch outside at The Hive (highly recommended!) and then we walked slowly back to the house, picking sloes and blackberries from the abundant hedgerows on the way.
All in all, a weekend to treasure. We're hoping to repeat it next year!
18 comments:
How lovely to have a big family and to 'gather' in such a lovely place. Dorset and Cornwall are both as exotic as each other for me being so far North.
I bet you made some wonderful memories there Diana. x
It looks a lovely old house, I'm so pleased you had a weekend to cherish and some sunny weather too. I do love that area (and The Hive of course!).
K xx
Looks just perfect. What a beautiful house.
I love the photo of the boardwalk.
That sounds perfectand it looks such a beautiful place Diana. One thing I love about the tv series Coast (apart from Neil Oliver!)is how diverse the coastline is around the UK. xxx
Sounds wonderful. It is easy to forget that here in the West Country Dorset/Somerset borders there is still a great distance between us and the west of Cornwall. Your pictures sum up what I love about where I live and that house looks and sounds perfect for a big family get together.
Jane
Wonderful! I can't imagine my family, small as it is, ever getting together again...
Dear Diana
Thank you for your kind words. I'm sorry to hear of your loss too, life is so very precious, isn't it? And weekends such as yours in Dorset are the little memory capsules to help us recognise how much there is to enjoy with family and friends. What a lovely house you stayed in.
And I see the Gorgeous Walter has had a birthday too - sending big birthday hugs to him :-)
Denise x
Sounds like the perfect family weekend.
K x
Looks absolutely beautiful, sounds like you had a great time!
Oh Diana, it sounds idyllic. I love the idea of meals at that scrubbed table. I adore Dorset - we haven't been for ages but there is a wonderful feel about the place.
Have a lovely weekend.
sounds like a good weekend
What a lovely place to meet up half way. We have spent a lot of our holidays in Dorset and it is one of my daughter's favourite places. Chesil beach is great to visit but difficult to walk in all the shingle!
Sounds like a lovely weekend. Hope you're going to make some sloe gin with those sloes.
I love Dorset!!!
And I'm reading Far from the madding crowd right now, how appropriate!
Love Chesil, and last time we were there, we sat and made coffee from our camping stove! I agree with you about the diversity of our coastline. It's breathtaking! x
Your photographs are....as always lovely...just beautiful...sorry I havent been in touch life has been so busy...I am trying hard to catch up with everyone...I hope you are well...sending lots of love...H
hello, sending you a smile :o)
hope all is ok, in my thoughts
Ginny x
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