…… well actually we got home around 5pm yesterday but I’ve been super busy doing all those lovely jobs that need doing when you’ve just got back from holiday! Luckily the cottage we rented had a washing machine so I was able to get everything laundered before we came home so that’s one less job

We were supremely lucky with the weather. It was cold, sunny and dry for most of the time. Our cottage was absolutely perfect and by far the best I’ve ever stayed in. Every single little thing had been thought of. On arrival there was a fresh loaf of bread waiting along with butter, milk and delicious Dorset cereal. I’d intended for us to do a supermarket shop on the Sunday morning but in actual fact we ended up not having to do one at all as everything we needed was supplied. We ate out every day so the oven was never used. The cottage was a converted stable so had a kitchen downstairs with a spiral staircase going up to a large bedroom/sitting room with a very large bathroom off that. Here’s some photos:

Whilst it wouldn’t be suitable for a family with children it was totally perfect for the two of us and we plan to stay there often.

Dave’s daughter and her husband are joint managers of a large pub and are completely overworked due to being hugely understaffed. So our mission for the week was to help out as much as possible by looking after the children. One drawback with this was that by us having the children, K ended up doing more work! She was working 12 hour days with no days off. On top of all this they’ve sold their house and have to move out tomorrow with no time to pack! Anyway, I digress, we had a wonderful time looking after the baby and her 5 year old brother. R is the most placid and contented little baby I’ve ever known. She’s quite happy to sit, watch and take in everything that’s going on around her. She loves her Grandad and made a habit of falling asleep on him every evening (much to Dave’s delight!). She’s not quite 9 months but is already very confidently moving from sofa to coffee table and frequently trying to stand on her own without holding on to anything. Her brother is in his first year at school so I spent loads of time showing him how to do things that I know he’ll need to be able to do before long. Such fun!

On Sunday we went to a food show held in the grounds of the glorious Tudor built (Mum, I couldn’t help but think of Henry VIIIth!) Parnham House in Beaminster. We were very honoured guests as the house, which at one time was a furniture makers college where Lord Linley apparently trained, is now family owned and not normally open to the public. But they’d opened up the stunning grounds for the day so we were able to have a good nosey around! (Last pic is for Sadie……..one of the displays in the food marquee!)

I had a couple of shopping expeditions (of course!), one to Dorchester where I was looking for some clothes for the baby. I was sure I could get what I wanted from Next so headed there straightaway, only to find that they don’t stock children’s clothes. I was told the location of the nearest Next which did, and had to come to the conclusion that I’d have to look elsewhere I was hugely disappointed with what was on offer —— everything PINK!! But I did manage to find a lovely pair of chocolate coloured cord trousers and some cute little tops. (Since I’ve been home, though, and had a chance to look at the Next website I’ve been terribly aggrieved to see, there, all the types of things I was hoping to get!).We still hadn’t found a suitable winter jacket but on the way home we drove through Poundbury, my favourite ‘urban extension’. Exquisitely designed houses, do take a look at the site, look under Poundbury Village Photos. Anyway while passing through we spotted a shop called Hey Baby! and had to stop. We found a beautiful PINK fleecy super warm jacket plus the sweetest little hat and a gorgeous little brown top by Noa Noa , a new name for me. A Danish company which makes the most darling children’s clothes.

Well I’m going to stop now as I’m running out of time……lots more to tell another day including the bits and pieces I bought for me, heh heh!