Lyme Regis

We started the day with a walk through historic Ilminster.

I loved the name of this antique store...

 ...where you could pretend to be a Queen's guard if you wished

As I offered to cook dinner for a family reunion, I spent the afternoon preparing my 'chicken blanquette', an old family favourite

The 3 cousins

The following day, my aunt and I headed to Lyme Regis

 which is on the southern coast of Dorest

It is well known as a holiday favourite and has hosted many movie sets.

You can even rent these cute cabanas to store your beach things

 A stroll through the town reveals historic passages, shops and homes

Loved the outside staircase

The coast itself is deceiving.  It looks lovely.....

 ....but on closer inspection, it is falling into the sea

Efforts are being made to reinforce it with cement sea walls.

We lunched overlooking the harbour at Hix Oyster and Fish House, 

owned by renowned chef Mark Hix

We feasted on Scrumpy Fried Rock Oysters on watercress mayo,

Fish Pie and Curried Axmouth Huss

All washed down with a crisp white

Tomorrow, mills and trains.....

Market day in Ilminster & Barrington Court

One of the charms of living in a village is Market Day.  Ilminster is a quaint town in Somerset, not far from my aunt's, so we checked out all the vendor's wares.

The village also has a grand 'church', called a 'Minster', which in religious hierarchy, means it's importance is between a church and an abbey.

We continued our afternoon at Barrington Court.  The court house was built in the 1500's, from mellow Ham Stone.  By the early 1900's, it had become a derelict shell, but was lovingly restored by the Lyle family (of the Golden Syrup fame).  The house sits empty but is open for visitation.  The rooms are often used for art shows and time can be spent strolling around the estate and through the traditional British gardens. 

Check out the 'hidden' door in the paneling that leads to the 'powder room'.

These grand halls on the third floor were used for exercise during bad weather.

       The art exhibits today were willow arches and fancy gloves.

                                  Interior court fountain.

                                   Stables for the livestock.

We spent a lovely evening feasting on salmon and visiting with my cousin. 

Tomorrow:  Heading into the New Forest.....