This sounds a lovely idea.

We are big fans of the Isle of Wight and always try to buy from independent shops, so Vintage Vacations Shopping Weekend would be perfect for us. I often visit their website and love the style of The Mission and The Scout Hall, but as yet, we've never got to stay. It's a shame the woofa wouldn't be able to come with us though...

Bay Tree Lodge, near Weymouth

Bay Tree Lodge offered our family everything we needed for an Autumn half term holiday. We know only too well that the good old British weather can throw anything at us in October. So when I was researching places to stay this house popped into my radar, and it caught my eye. With a private indoor swimming pool we really couldn't care what the weather did or don't do!! As you would expect, the price reflects what you get, so when I emailed details to the rest of the family to get their opinion, expecting an sharp intake of breath, and a no, I received "Yes, book it!". So I did.

It had the "wow"factor. It was a clean contemporary space, with lovely high beamed ceilings that gave height to the living space. It felt new, and it was new (ish). I can't go any further without talking about the swimming pool. The main attraction. It received thumbs up from us all, even my mother who hadn't swum for 20 years. Clean, warm, and clearly well maintained, so for this alone, well worth every penny. The kids didn't want to leave the house. 

The house worked for a large family. The kid's play room was a crowd pleaser with 3 under elevens and their Dad. Hubby and I escaped the madness one evening and walked to the pub for a quiet drink, which was a good local pub, though don't forget you torch!

All in all, I would whole heatedly recommend the house.

We did have a problem with the boiler but the owner arrived very quickly and fixed the problem.

You do have to bring your our own towels, which is my only issue, not even a tea towel was supplied. The house is of a high standard, and I class towels as a basic requirement. Oh, and a hair dryer.

On arrival at the house, you have to give a cash deposit to the owner who meets you at the property, which is understandable. They meet you again at the end of your holiday when we expected them to check the house and return the cash deposit. Though that wasn't the case. They just asked for our bank details and said they would do a bank transfer to return the deposit. Which, they did a few days later, but, come on, just return the cash.

Anyway, these are tiny gripes. We had a lovely family holiday in a lovely area and Bay Tree Lodge sets the bar high for all future holiday homes!

Home again!

Leaving Dorset on a beautiful frosty clear morning was a perfect send off for our family holiday. Back home now, we're snuggled in front of the woodburner with the woofa. Life gets back to usual on Monday, though there is a distant thought of sneaky break, just the three of us, in the coming weeks...

Lulworth Cove

We have been to Lulworth many times, and it always hits the spot! A blustery chilly Autumnal day didn't stop us walking around the cove, in fact I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Collecting an odd pebble and getting my boots wet as I misjudged the waves is all part of the fun.  We were the only couple on the beach most of the time, which is why i love this time of year by the sea.

Lunch in The Lulworth Cove Inn was a treat; lovely food and presented like a work of art. The vegetarian larder board is my top tip!

A quiet night!

Enjoying a drink in the Smugglers Inn pub with Mr O tonight while reading newspapers and magazines. Very cosy, especially when it's blowing a gale outside.

Sealife Centre Weymouth

Today was all about fishes and "littlies". Giving their Mum and Dad a day to do their own thing, Mr O, my mother and three nephews all visited the Sealife Centre in Weymouth.

To my surprise, it was a great day out! Great tanks, well designed and nicely thought out, with friendly staff on hand! The kids loved it, and that's what it was all about!

My favourite fish .... the sea urchins.

Weymouth and Portland Bill

We had sand in our toes today and enjoyed lovely Autumnal afternoon sunshine on the beautiful sandy beach at Weymouth. The littlies certainly made use of their buckets and spades, while
Me, Mr O and my mother enjoyed the delights of the local tea shops.

Then we took a late afternoon detour to one of my favourite places, Portland Bill. Tea, cake and ice creams were consumed on the benches at the cliff top "Lobster Pot" with the wind blowing and the sun trying to beak through.  Along with the horn from the lighthouse blowing to alert those out to sea, it resulted in an atmospheric afternoon.

All in all a good day!

Our home for the next few days

We have arrived at Bay Tree Lodge! It's certainly very spacious which we need for all the family and the house is quite new so it feels very fresh.  We are very pleased so far. It has some nice touches and is contemporary in some of the design but there is one big plus point for this house and the reason we came... a swimming pool just for us!

The coast is calling...

The bags are packed and tomorrow we take to the road to Dorset. Not just me and Mr O, but the whole family are in on this trip. Five days of just being somewhere different, and most importantly, I want to see the sea....