Wednesday 6 June 2012

Jubilation

Blimey, what a joy of a weekend. From tea parties to fish and chips, concerts and services, downpours and coats on the beach, it was all extremeley British and rather marvellous for that.

After the wedding last year I'd wondered how the jubilee would stand up against it and in the end it was its own thing entirely and, as one lady at the concert put it, "we've all been brought together".

Most of us agree I'd say, those who don't did their own thing, but joining in is something we British enjoy doing, come rain or shine, and this Diamond Weekend we definitley did it in style.
Our little family trundled south west again towing our batterted old caravan behind us for a few days on a sweet little farm in deepest Dorset in the Marshwood Vale Arriving early we had the site almost to oursleves and at the end of last week it was very warm and still, despite the grey couds and we managed plenty of beachtime at lovely Lyme Regis and fabulous West Bay.
We explored the coast a little more, had lunch in a very smart cafe on the beach at Burton Bradstock, fished for crabs off the harbour at Weymouth and climbed the lighthouse at Portland Bill. It all brought back happy memories of my childhood holidays and it was lovely doing it our own way again, like last year.
Everywhere we went jubilee celebrations were in happenning. Fetes, 50s fasion parades, tractor runs even. We spent Monday shivering in Lyme Regis then, as the wind finally dropped, the sun miraculously appeared and we watched the harbour come alive with boat after boat decked out in bunting for a special flotilla display in the bay.

My favourite moment was waving off some of our family who were out on the water with friends in a teeny little motor boat covered in union flags.


 Even the cafe condiments and my little breakfast table in the field seemed to sum up the spirit of this weekend.
 And now we're home I don't have the heart to pack my bunting away, so its up on the dresser awaiting the greatest show on earth at the end of July. Roll on the Games!
Just wanted to add a massive thank you for all the wonderful comments left on my Cornwall posts. It made me so happy that you were all so happy for me - if that makes snese?! Glad you liked the 60s style pics too, I've finally discovered Picasa (about a decade behind eveyone else) and had lots of fun messing about.. Will get around to replying properly as soon as I can. Thanks again for all the lovely wishes. S x x x

27 comments:

thriftwood said...

Lovely post, very jubilant and patriotic! Looks like you had a fab family time ... I'm with you on not packing the bunting and stuff away, my shelves are remaining defiantly Jubilee & London themed until after the Olympics! Love Claire xx

bellaboo said...

The perfect place to celebrate the jubilee weekend! Glad you all had the best time.
Love the painted nails! :0)

Gigi said...

Love the way you all celebrated the queen! It looked like so much fun. I'm afraid we Americans don't have anyone we want to celebrate in such a grand & gloriously fun way. Guess we make up for it on 4th of July, but it's not quite the same is it? Oh well . . . ;)
G

Donna said...

Lovely post, looks like you had a fabulous time. I'm with you on not getting rid of the bunting just yet, I love some red, white and blue! :)

Rebecca said...

It looks like you had a fabulous time celebrating! x

loveandlilac said...

What a great long weekend it's been and what a delightful post. The boats look lovely decked in bunting don't they?

Tangled Sweetpea said...

Looks as if you had a splendid time! It really has been a wonderful weekend!
Victoria xx

...Nina Nixon... said...

We've been brought together - I do love that Steph......it is certainly true. We all came together and celebrated in style.

I love all the red, whites and blues....I may have to keep it going.

Nina xxx

Lyn said...

wonderful post, love all your photos. There was a great atmosphere all over the country wasn't there.
xxx

Viv said...

Looks like you had a great time I love the photos - we were up in Scotland over the celebration period and there were street parties and flower festivals in most of the small towns and villages to join in with. I left my stream of bunting out in the garden of our cottage when we left as like you I can't bear to take it down. For me this Jubilee in particular has represented the best of British and those wonderful summer garden parties that I remember as a child.

Goosey said...

Glad you enjoyed a bit of Dorset recently. We watched the beacon lit up on Okeford Fitzpaine hill which was amazing and not a million miles away from where you were.

Barri-Jayne said...

Beautiful photos! Glad you had such a fabulous time, Dorset is such a lovely place.

Barrina x

Justine said...

You weren't far from us in our little corner of south Somerset. I also work once a week in a gallery just along the coast from Burton Bradstock - such a beautiful part of the world. Hope you enjoyed your fare at the Hive; they've also opened another 'branch' in West Bay, if you're down this way again and in need of sustenance!

Unknown said...

Lovely photos as always - your posts always fill me with warmth and admiration for your ability to write so evocatively. I wanted to let you know that I have mentioned you in a post I have done about Cornwall, Port Isaac and the fact that you had also posted about it. Hope you don't mind, I just loved your post so.

driftwood said...

oh how wonderful everything looks covered in bunting!

dottycookie said...

Wasn't it just the most brilliant weekend? We seemed to pack in far more than 4 days worth! I'm with you on leaving up the bunting - I don't think I can bear to take ours down!

gartcott aka Penny Hannah said...

Thoroughly enjoyed your post and celebratory pictures. Not being able to be out and about, I was glued to BBC1 and thought the coverage was great - just sorry that it rained so much in the bottom half of the country, while we had the best of the weather in Scotland.

Heather L. said...

Thank you so much for your beautiful post! We've been following from here in the States. My sister and I are hosting our Jubilee Tea a few weeks late but preparations are under way! We can't wait. Such an historic event!

Apple Blossom Barn said...

Really really gorgeous post I want to go camping there but dont think my battered old caravan would survive the trip from Ireland!
Gorgeous photos of Cornwall, a magical place and you really did capture that.

Take care

Denise

♥ Priddy Priddy ♥ said...

I love that part of the country...it all looks really jolly
Nicky
x

Anonymous said...

Your shots of the swingboats reminded me of my own childhood swings there on those swingboats....! Love Mum (aged 63) xxxxx

Jenny Woolf said...

Lovely Jubilee post! London seemed so busy and rainy, although I enjoyed what we did. But when I was out in Surrey the week before it seemed that people there would be getting far more involved. Another big city - vs countryside thing, I guess! :)

Country Rabbit said...

hello lovely steph,
your posts are always so delightful.
Your garden always looks so inviting and lovely- love the new header!
You look as though you've got right into the swing of the jubilee! i loved all the communities getting together and celebrating ;0)- so lovely to be british.

And having a bit of an obsession myself with bunting and old traditions i loved it even more.

happy sunday steph, x

Thrifty Household said...

...especially loving those fingernails!

The Curious Cat said...

Wonderful photos! I missed out on the jubilee so it is nice to see some of the action here. Also Picasa? Is it like Picnik? I must check it out as since Picnik went over to Google I have been trying to find a new site to manipulate photos...thanks! xxx

Vintage Jane said...

Lovely photos from some of our favourite places. I must check out the campsite. M x

Linda said...

I just love the photo of the swing boats at Weymouth. Hope you don't mind, but I've pinned it to my Pinterest. Thanks!