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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.
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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.
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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.
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I loved the colour scheme used for this cottage, with its little window overhanging the road beneath.
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Each cottage was different with its own special character.
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Later it was time to head to our hotel, which was in Dorchester.
***
On Monday, after a wander around Dorchester town centre, we wanted to escape the crowds again...So we drove to Milton Abbas.
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We enjoyed lunch outside the village pub and once again were treated to a few rays of sunshine.
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Milton Abbas is such a pretty village, full of thatched cottages lining a wide road through the centre.
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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?
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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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*
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At the end of the road, the sign post showed the way to the Abbey, so we carried on going...
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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!)
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The beach, during a particularly warm March day, was deserted though :)
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The Jurassic coastline is fantastic.
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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.
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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