Welcome to the UK

As in past years, we always follow our IOM trip with a visit to my Aunt in Somerset, UK.  We use our time to visit the countryside and meet up with cousins.  We spent our first day in Lyme Regis, in Dorset.  It is always bustling with families on the beach
 and people strolling the Boardwalk.   

Enjoying an ice cream

The lost art of 'lawn bowling' is alive and well!!

 One of the main reasons we were visiting Lyme was to attend an art exhibit at The Courtyard Gallery. One of the artists displaying her work was Kathlyn Collins, who specializes in glass.

I just love the lines of the Jurassic coast

Up next....a vintage steam train ride

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.....