Beachy Weekend

 On Saturday, Stace, Violet and I had a day out to the Dorset coast. on the way, we drove through Hawkchurch, the village where Big Nan grew up. We also drove through Lyme Regis, West Bay and Hive Beach. It was such a beautiful day!

Our dinner view...

...with our fusion meal - Stace had to get fish 'n chips, obviously, but Violet was craving tacos. The Corona went with the tacos but was drunk by Stace, not Vi.

Sweet villages on the way home, too. 

On Sunday, we spent the day together as a family (minus the two oldest teens) at Knoll Beach, in Studland Bay.

Violet and I have rarely seen a beach so crowded! There were people everywhere. But we could understand why - great weather and a sandy, not stony, beach. Plus lots of National Trust amenities.

Violet and I took a walk down to the next beach...

...partly through this lovely shaded wood.

Violet was hoping to go to Corfe Castle, but the traffic leaving Knoll was heavy and the castle closed. We did see it from the nearby village, though.

We then all went to Swanage for dinner. The rail station and steam trains were quaint and sweet.

Swanage is just lovely. We found the exact spot we took a photo 15 years ago, on Violet's first trip to England. 

Another lifetime ago.

Tanks and a Market Day

For my birthday and our Father's Days, Dean bought tickets for the lads, including Euan and Dad, to go to this year's Tank Fest at Bovington Tank Museum. We got to go around the museum and watched live reenactments of tank battles from WWI and WWII as well as demonstrations - driving, not shells - of tanks from the dawn of mechanized warfare all the way to the modern British Army machines.  

The weather stayed dry, we all got a little sunburned, and had a great day out together.

To the side of the main outdoor arena was a field where a First World War trench system had been dug. Reenactors wore period uniforms and had weapons of the era. It was quite eerie in a way.

Meanwhile, the ladies had a shopping day in Langport.

The Langport Vintage Market was a hit.

Time in Taunton

 We took Violet out to Taunton for the afternoon, revisiting the county Museum of Somerset, a fantastic (and free, donations accepted) outing we last visited in 2016.

We started with a coffee at Caffe Nero, which is housed in an absolutely gorgeous Tudor building. It's one of those places that I'm grateful is a coffee shop, so we're allowed in to look around!

We then walked around a bit, and ended up at the museum. I have very positive memories of it from nine years ago, and it was just as good as I remembered.

This was a display of very old hanging bronze pots, because South Petherton and Montacute were leaders in the cauldron industry in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Later, Stace, Vi and I made a detour to a farm in Stoke St. Gregory to purchase raw milk from a farmer. We then stopped at Burrow Mump and climbed to the ruins of the monument.

So happy Violet is up for little adventures like this! She enjoys beauty and history, so driving through the gorgeous countryside and making these little stops makes all of us happy. (Sadly, Cora's carsickness keeps her closer to home.)

Ham Hill Evening

On our trip a year ago, we walked from the Prince of Wales pub on Ham Hill across to St. Michaels Tower, and Cora was able to sneak under the wrought iron gate at the opening to climb up. 

We tried to recreate the trip on Wednesday, but Cora was much displeased to discover barriers under the gate to prevent her slipping underneath and up.

Still, a lovely walk and the great views of the region brought her to smile again.

Violet loves the sheep, and would love to make friends with one.
 

We got back to the pub and met up with the family. Livy was being silly, and adorable. Later, she and Cora and Violet went off to climb trees.

Violet loved this big stick she found, and was joking about bringing it into the car.

Earlier on Wednesday, Stace and I joined Sue and Gord and many from around the village at the monthly ploughman's lunch at the Kingsbury church. It was a lovely afternoon, and I won a round of bingo and got a package of sausage! Some at our table remembered that years ago at the same event, I won a box of sweets. (But that time, it was because I had the worst score at the game of beetle!)

Dorset Days

 Stace sorted out car insurance for the new-to-the-family car, and we spent Monday in Yeovil and Sherborne with Sue and Gord.

While out, we stopped at a lovely garden centre, where the hydrangeas were particularly lovely.

We also spent time shopping for a new suit for Stace, for the wedding we'll attend while we're here.

We went into Sherborne for lunch and drinks - such a lovely town, with great medieval charm! 

On Tuesday, Stace, Violet and I went on a little adventure, to Maiden Castle near Dorchester. Violet loved being close to the sheep as we walked around the Iron Age fortress.

We picnicked. It was fabulous.

We then went into Weymouth to check out the beach...

...and around to Smugglers Inn, a beautiful 13th century pub Stace remembers his Pop taking him to.

Violet and Stace walked from the pub down to the cove, where pirates would land in the 17th century.

Before heading home, we checked out the Portland Bill Lighthouse. 

A great day exploring Dorset!

England 2025: Arrival

 

Stace started his birthday out while we were on our long flight to England, so we gave him his gift before we got in the car for the journey to LAX. He's always interested in Lego and was very happy to get this Williams Racing car. 

Our traditional start-of-trip photo...

We again flew with Norse Atlantic, the low-cost carrier we used last year for the first time. With proper planning, it's a good way to save hundreds/thousands of dollars. The girls sat together, and Stace and I sat apart from each other and them. 

When we arrived in London, it was hot! Sitting outside waiting for our train, and then the long hot train ride to Yeovil, weren't our favorite things to do, but all's well that ends well and we ended up in our cozy beds at Nan and Pop's house soon enough.

On Sunday, we walked to lunch at the Rusty Axe, and had a nice meal together, the six of us.

The girls loved playing billiards together in the back room. Violet has an *interesting* technique, which mainly involves silly moves and lots of laughter.

Thankfully she didn't mind losing to her big sister.

Later, Auntie Doreen came over and brought a yummy birthday cake for Stace. We were all very appreciative.