We made it!

The Red Lion, Beaminster, Dorset - blurry photo courtesy of the landlord

A few snowflakes at home first thing, but it stayed dry all day, chilly at 6 degrees. After filling the car with half the house, we had a good journey down through Somerset, stopping en route at Montecute House for lunch and a quick look at the house and gardens (see extras), before arriving mid afternoon at our lovely cosy cottage in Beaminster (see extras). 

Our hosts had filled the house with Daffodils and other lovely personal touches, such as the basket of local Dorset produce and the Happy Birthday banner they’d hung across the fireplace, knowing that it was Dad’s birthday this weekend. After a rest and a cuppa, my brother and I took Dad for a short walk, calling into the village shop before heading to the pub (that used to be run by the father of a school friend of Mum’s) to raise a glass of Dorset cider/beer to Mum. Ended the day by picking up fish and chips which we took back to the cottage for tea with a glass of bubbles, in front of the log fire (see extras). Not sure what I did wrong, but half way through the evening the lounge filled with smoke. Had to open the front and back door to clear the air, before the fire brigade arrived!

Let’s see what tomorrow brings...

Thank you.