Summer holidays under the Tuscan sun

Last week I stumbled back to Dorset tired but still buzzing from a week of endless fun. Sun kissed cheeks still hurting from a week of laughter, sea swimming, gelato eating heaven. Family and friends said I would fall in love with Italy and I did...deeply. The brightness of the sun, the soft amber glowing farmhouses, the joviality and animated way the Italians talk, the time they have to share their country and the love they have for food and family. There really was nothing not to like.

We spent our days cycling to the beach, singing silly songs, tasting the amazing local produce, making camp out of drift wood and laughing a lot, laughing so much there was a high risk of drowning in  the sea. When night time came we cycled to the local tavernas in Principina a mare  altogether on our rickety bikes, making sure we all got their safely or we cooked a massive feast and danced with watermelons.

The night I will remember most, was the night the owner of the farm kindly took us on a road trip to the most incredible town on a hillside, followed by a hairy twisting drive in a summer down pour of thunderous rain to Terme di Saturnia. We hesitantly stripped down to our cosies, our eyes searching in the dark for this magical place we could only imagine. Our noses being tickled by the sulphur of hot steam, our eyes cleared the mist enough for us to make out smiling faces submerged in water, bodies relaxing in the natural heat of the river. The sound of the waterfall 800 litres of water a minute fell from the hillside as we laughed some more and gingerly let our feet find themselves over the rocks readying for us to plunge into the natural springs, we stayed there till gone 1am in the morning, allowing the thunderous power of the natural springs to pummel our aching bike peddling muscles. I am glad we have no photos of this, just the memories off our laughter and surprise on our faces. 

It was Bellisimo! 

Thank you to everyone of you for making this a holiday with memories so funny I will catch myself remembering and laughing to myself like a mad women when winter comes .

See you next year our secret farmhouse under the Tuscan sun

I hope you've had a lovely summer and the memories keep you going when the rat race tries to win your thoughts over

Gem x

Discovering new campsites in Dorset

The first weekend of the holidays Maria suggested we all get away for the weekend and go camping. I never need much encouragement so we all set of in convoy to a quiet little patch in the middle of the Purbecks. During the drive I was directed down a very narrow road and was convinced we were going the wrong way. It was far too pretty not to believe it, so we followed the road we missed this little sign and and had to do a U turn, for others this would be a bad sign, for us It was just what we wanted to see, Simplicity!

The campsite was recommended on Junkaholique  . Artemis is absolutely right,  Jims Place is the perfect campsite. Like walking back into my childhood; A small summer field a few tents, the sounds of a handful of happy children. No kids club, shop, smell of a chip fryer in sight. Only a meadow of wild flowers, some free roaming guinea fowl and a big open space to just 'be'.

We enjoyed walking around the little village and were delighted by the bunches of sweet peas for sale and the free courgettes on offer.

We will definitely be going again!

Yes the courgette was hot and needed to cool down! 

This Cottage!! Swoooooooon

This little one really loved his first camping trip! 

We had courgettes and chorizo for starters! Yum

Morning Coffee - Enamel ware at the ready! 

 A three year old is very useful for jumping/rolling on things, when it is time to pack up camp

We would love to hear of your Dorset Campsite recommendations 

Gem & Maria 

Discovering a little patch of heaven in Mells Somerset

Last weekend I took a road trip home to Somerset. We dodged the rain and took a ride out to Mells and Frome for a womble. My folks had stumbled across this lovely walled garden which offers yummy pizzas from their home made pizza oven and lots of tempting plants and bric-a-brac for sale in their amazing green house. They were excited about showing it to me and it was no surprise to say that I felt I had fallen upon a little patch of heaven!

Not for you pigs x

 Enamel ware.. Wombeling heaven! 

Would love to make one of these! 

We all came home with a few more house treasures 

I love finding new places that will some day become road trip traditions! 

Happy Weekend All! Hope your having your own 

family adventures! 

gem x

living in the wilderness

Last weekend was just as expected....ok better than expected. The warmest summer solstice you could wish for,camping under the stars with like minded folk. Slowing down and taking it all in. Camp Fires and chocolate biscuits, sticky faced children, happy parents resting beside the glow of the camp fire after a busy week. And no mosquito's in sight, only night jars burbling in the evening sky, glow worms spotted and admired, dens made to rest little heads at the end of a fun feverish day of foraging, den building, beach combing and eating the most delicious local grub dished up by the amazing  Dorset Charcuterie guys, Lee, Trev & Ben . That night I slept easy not a thought of the real life crept into my dreams, if every weekend could be like that one I would be very happy. Thank you for the memories, until next year.....

Thank you RSPB & The Dorset Charcuterie x

Happy Summer Adventures

Gem x