at The Good Life Experience

It's hard to believe that it was over three weeks ago that we went to 'The Good Life Experience', a festival of the outdoors created by Cerys Matthews and Charlie and Caroline Gladstone. Gem was lucky enough to win tickets from the talented Hatchett and Bear, and asked me to go along with her. I jumped at the chance!

The festival took place in the grounds of the beautiful Hawarden Estate, and on the Saturday morning we took out road trip from Gem's folks' house in Bristol all the way to North Wales. We may have listened a little bit too much to this lady (we like to pretend we can sing like Laura Marling. We cannot. Ahem), and this song was definitely overplayed-in a good way.

Anyway, we arrived at midday, greeted by some very Wes Anderson-esque boy scouts who directed us to the car park, the backdrop of which boasted a beautiful ruined castle. To say we were excited was an understatement as we walked down a little path to the Hawarden Estate Farm Shop and its grounds. 

Firstly, we came across the lovely folk at the Pedlars tent which sold lots of goodness, including vintage camping ware and knick knacks. 

Then we made our way to the Best Made tent to have a look at their beautiful axes. Not that Gem and I are really into axes...but we did appreciate the pretty colours painted on the handles! I was gutted that I missed out on getting a T-Shirt. Maybe next year!

We carried on mooching around, taking advantage of this delightful offer...

Had a little chat with these guys (pet alpaca is now on the wishlist)

Gem did a spot of archery...

...and then we wandered through some fields of corn (or wheat?!), feeling very outdoorsy.

We stopped to have a look at what the foraging folk had gathered. What a pretty camping space!

We found the Hatchett and Bear tent, but again missed out on carving our own wooden spoon! Gutted! They looked lovely.

We stayed and listened to some of the music, but missed out on most of the evening's entertainment as we had to get back down to Dorset for work on Monday. I guess we must be getting old! Haha!

We did, however, make one last stop at the Peckham Print Studio. We may have found our new hobby! Post to follow.

Maria

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