Tuesday 28 September 2010

Dorset in the Sunshine!

We've had a fabulous weekend away in Dorset during 3 lovely sunny days sandwiched between dull, wet weather.  How lucky are we!  We stayed at the welcoming La Fosse in Cranborne where we enjoyed tasty local produce and 2 comfortable nights accommodation.

La Fosse (on the right)
On a cold, bracing, but beautifully sunny morning we set off after breakfast to do the local walk around Cranborne Estate.   Whereas the focus on our local walk in April was flowers, this walk was heaving with Autumn produce.
I was sorry not to have a container to pick the blackberries.

Apparently you can eat these hawthorn berries but I don't know if they have to be cooked first. They're supposed to be good for the heart.
Ripe, juicy elderberries that I wish I knew what to do with (we're not really into making wine).
These handsome beasts looked very contented.  OH commented that they must be quite docile as these days horns would normally be removed to prevent them hurting eachother.
This fella was looking very smug lording it over his herd!

Sloes were hanging in abundance (another fruit I don't know what to do with - we're not into sloe gin).  Don't know why OH tasted one because he knows how bitter they are!! (This photo is the wrong way up but I don't know which way it goes)

Taking a breather on a log.  A couple of minutes later a flock of partridges flew up out of the crop in the field behind me.  We saw lots of game birds and birds of prey but I'm not quick enough with the camera to catch them.
There is, in fact, a bird of prey in the distance in this photo hovering somewhere in front of the wood on the hill. (Don't try to find it!! I only know it's there because I could see it moving when I took the pic - I can't see it now!!)
Part of the walk took us through ancient woodland............

.............emerging onto a country lane. Not far to go now.

In the afternoon we visited the quaint, historic towns of Fordingbridge and Lyndhurst where we visited tea rooms..............
..........looked around a church on a hill..........

...........and admired the old, red-brick buildings, characteristic of the area. 
A little old-fashioned shop window caught my eye with it's display of an old hand-wheel operated sewing machine along with vintage sewing and knitting patterns and accessories.  It was The Old Apothecary in Lyndhurst and I'm pleased to find that they have a website because it was so busy I didn't stay as long as I would have liked.
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Next Saturday is our October Quilting Club meeting and we're having an Open Day.  We're going to be serving tea and cakes and inviting the public to come and see demonstrations in progress as well as finished items.  I hope it's a success and we get lots of interest from the local community (not our local community - it's in a town about half an hour away).  Btw, I don't think I've mentioned that I agreed to be co-opted as secretary of the group for a year - I don't think it will be too onerous a task especially as the rest of the committee have agreed to arrange meetings around me, because I work full-time and live further away from them.

Bye for now
Teresa x

8 comments:

Leslie said...

What a lovely get away! I am so glad you had some sunshine for your time away and I really enjoy seeing all the nature you were surrounded by.

I've been watching a show called Doc Martin. Are you familiar with it? The setting is Port Isaac and I am smitten with the whole village.

Silvia LGD (Little Green Doll) said...

It seems to have been a really wonderful weekend!!
Have fun on Saturday!!

Peach Rainbow said...

Thanks for sharing your beautiful weekend 'walk'

Julia K Walton - Fire Horse Textiles said...

Looks like a wonderful break - what Autumn is all about :) I just picked some sloes because we do like sloe gin!

John'aLee said...

What beautiful country. It's been my dream since a child to pick wild blackberries....I was raised on a cattle ranch....and I'm determined to visit your country some day.
So I loved your post.
Thanks for stopping by. I agree with you...I too would want to see the 'landmarks' in another country that appeal to what I find fascinating...not the usual tourist traps.
Thanks for staying in touch!

Anonymous said...

What gorgeous pics! Dorset looks lovely... We've just been away too and got lucky with the weather - we must all have excellent timing!

What a shame you don't do sloe gin - you can make sloe vodka if it's the gin that's the problem! Elderberries make great chutney, and go really well in an apple pie (but they're a bit sour so you have to check the sugar).

John'aLee said...

Teresa...that was so sweet of you to take the time to read my "About Us" page. One lady at the Paducah show a few years ago told me she printed my story out and read it to all her quilting gals as they traveled to the show. She said..."We were all in tears!"
I was so touched!!
We must keep in touch...so that if I ever do make it to your happy place of abode...we can hook up! Ohhhhh I would love that soooo!!!
Take care my new friend!!
Happy Quilting Hugs to you!

Vintage Girl/Marivel said...

wow... Dorset is pretty.Enjoy your beautiful days.You are lucky,girl.
Have fun.Smile.
Best wishes.