Down to Dorset...

As I mentioned in my previous post, hubby and I took ourselves away for an overnight stay in Dorset, to celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary (which is actually today). With a glorious morning dawning on Sunday, we drove the reasonably short distance down to Bridport. I had been told about a Vintage Market that was to be held in the Albion area of the town, so that is where we started our day.

It was a great little market, made even more enjoyable by the fabulous spring weather. It had a real bohemian feel, with vintage stalls and the antique shops open for business, and freshly prepared food and musicians adding to relaxed atmosphere...so relaxed in fact, that I couldn't get myself into a 'buying' frame of mind! Far better to sit and drink tea in the sunshine and watch everyone enjoying a family day out.

I did actually come away with a few treasures, which I shall show at the end of the post. After lunch we headed down to the coast and sat (drinking more tea! ;-)) on the sea front at Lyme Regis.

Perfect!

Time for a wander...this narrow little street looked very inviting...

I loved the colour scheme used for this cottage, with its little window overhanging the road beneath.

Each cottage was different with its own special character.

Later it was time to head to our hotel, which was in Dorchester.

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On Monday, after a wander around Dorchester town centre, we wanted to escape the crowds again...So we drove to Milton Abbas.

We enjoyed lunch outside the village pub and once again were treated to a few rays of sunshine.

Milton Abbas is such a pretty village, full of thatched cottages lining a wide road through the centre.

As you may be able to see by the boards, several of the cottages were for sale. I imagine that perhaps this isn't the most idyllic of places to live during high summer, when tourists flood to the area?

So, respecting the residents privacy, I just took a few photos as we walked along the road down to the lower end of the village.

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At the end of the road, the sign post showed the way to the Abbey, so we carried on going...

The Abbey is within the grounds of Milton Abbey School.

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Finally, before leaving Dorset, we wanted to say goodbye to the sea...so headed down to Osmington Mills (I imagine another honeypot for tourists in high season!)

The beach, during a particularly warm March day, was deserted though :)

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The Jurassic coastline is fantastic.

So, back home and a quick unpack of the treasures, which will come with me to the fairs I shall be attending. I loved this Frank Usher dress...and the fabric pieces have already inspired me...I sat using some of the sculptured velvet last night, and I will show what I created later this week.

The gorgeous mirrored shelf was a 'must buy' which I shall use for display. It came from Susie Cole in Lyme Regis, which I have mentioned in a previous post here.

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Yesterday I took the day off from my shop...My daughter has been moving into a flat this week and needed some help. Luckily she hasn't moved too far away, so we'll still be able to see each other lots, but it takes a bit of getting used to... Her bedroom here will need redecorating now that she's gone. It will become our spare bedroom, as its just about large enough to take a double bed. Something else for the 'ever-lengthening-to-do' list then! I'm not sure I shall ever get straight, but will have fun trying...

Enjoy the rest of your week,

Niki x