Dunster Castle

On Thursday, we made our return to Dunster Castle, for the first time since 2016.

Stace, Sue, Violet and I made the trip, while Gord helped Dean with a work project. We had a great time! 

It's the details - like this gorgeous carved wooden staircase, and the ceilings.

These chairs caught my attention - the carved oak Flemish backs are from around 1600, and depict the stations of the cross. The seats are from 1830.

These 17th century leather hangings were especially intriguing to Violet. They told the story of Cleopatra and Antony.

Every room told a story, and featured beautiful furnishings.

I glanced up at one of the portraits and thought I was looking at my grandpa!

We got coffees and scones and had the best view for our snack, including a robin on the adjacent wall.

 

We walked the grounds, which include a lovely creek.

We then walked into the nearby medieval village, which is just stunning. I'd be happy to stay a night here someday.

We walked into several shops, including this Medieval Gallery, where you can buy an 800-year-old sword that would likely have been used by knights in the Crusades. Eight thousand pounds!

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!

Delightful Dunster Day

 After a few days close to home, once we recovered from jet lag, on Friday we went out to Dunster Castle on the coast of the Bristol Channel.






















Parts of the castle date to the Norman times, while the main home has been the residence of one family for the past 600 years.











After picnicking on the beautiful grounds, we explored the main hall and then went on a guided tour of the kitchens. We learned loads about the history of the castle from the very interesting, funny docent.

Then, we looked at the rest of the rooms and played games in a sitting room.

Another room was filled with dress-up clothes, such as this knight getup.

Nan and Violet channeled their inner Medieval ladies.

 Outside, we spotted an English robin; Stace had always remarked on how much larger American robins are, so it was nice for me to see the English version.

 The walks around the castle included gardens and this old stone bridge over a stream.

On our way back, we stopped in the seaside town of Watchet for fish and chips, which we ate huddled under a shelter because the rain had started up again.

On our way home, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset, and found a place to pull in to enjoy it. On the Somerset levels, swans had gathered on the River Parrett in Muchelney, just down the road from the Abbey ruins.

Dartmouth

On Sunday, the weather seemed alright, so we took a ferry to Dartmouth, a beautiful town with a harbor where the River Dart hits the sea.

So pretty!
Unfortunately, the rain was coming down when we got off the ferry, so we spent most of our time in the town under a tent in the market, having a cup of coffee and a piece of cake.

The weather eased up and, while Sue and Gord stayed behind with Olivia, the rest of us took a little motorboat ferry to Dartmouth Castle.

We had a good time showing the girls their first genuine English castle, parts of which were built in the 1400s. Another large section was in use during the Napoleonic era, and into the two World Wars.

After touring the castle, Dean and Stacey took the children down closer to the water.

To catch a return ferry, one only needed to turn a colored sign over, down at the tiny dock.

It is so much fun to take the girls to places like this, and begin teaching them more of their English heritage.