Aren't We Lucky?!

Hopefully, like us, you've had a chance to enjoy the beautiful weather we've had in Dorset these last few days! We wanted to share with you a couple of images taken of Chesil Beach Cove, on Portland.

Dorset at it's very best!

5 Star holiday Park - Yes, you did read that right!

The Dorset coast has it's fair share of Holiday Parks, and let's be honest, when we think about Holiday Parks, we do get an image of over crowded  Haven and Butlin-esque type parks with chlorine overdosed swimming pools. That's why at Loving Dorset, we were intrigued to come across Newlands Holiday Park in Charmouth, at 5 Star, it's Glamping at it's very best!

Perched on the Jurassic Coast just outside Lyme Regis, they're only half an hour from Weymouth, making it a bit of a find for anyone looking for a tranquil base, especially during the Olympics! (For visitors driving to the park, using the M5 will mean you stick to the Western side of the country, meaning you neatly avoid the manic traffic of people driving to both London and Weymouth over the period of the Games.)

We were impressed with the well thought out and extra special accommodation on offer there, with a choice of lodges, apartments and caravans - we particularly loved the lodges! The park itself also boasts loads of facilities including indoor and outdoor pools, bar and lounge and shops on-site for your bits and bobs!

So if you're not from Dorset but are taking a trip or are having family or friends visit - Newlands Holiday Park is definitely an option for people wanting a family break in the midst of the beautiful Dorset Countryside! They're offering some great rates for over the Olympic Period so do take a look at their website and get in early! 

Fitness at it's Friendliest : Meet Dave and you'll soon see why!

Having known Dave for a few months now, we have to say that Dorset Personal Trainer, Dave Wall is quite possibly one of the nicest people you will ever meet! His positive attitude towards health and fitness has opened the door for many people who felt personal training was out of reach - us included! 

One of the main attractions to what Dave can offer, is the extra personal touch that you don't get with Gym's and Leisure Centres.

Loving Dorset asked Dave a few questions so you could find out a bit more about how he got into personal training and what sort of personal training and fitness plans are right for you.

Why did you become a personal trainer?

I have always been very interested in what composes a healthy lifestyle, since a very young age. I saw how small alterations in areas such as exercise and nutrition can have have life changing implications. I was eager to show others of any age or ability that they too could change their lives and I wanted to be with them on this journey. 

What would your advice be to someone who is stressed, feeling overweight and generally lacking energy?  

Be determined to not let your current situation overwhelm you and know that you are in a vicious circle of poor stress management, which can simply be broken. Take a deep breath, regain control, and decide no matter what the sacrifice, you will change. With simple new habits like going for a walk in your lunch break, getting to bed 30minutes earlier, or making sure you have a day off a week. Stress is normally the root cause of your fatigue and out of shape body. We have all been there and those that are winning, started with making a decision to fight stress, no matter what the cost. 

Personal training is perceived as an expensive and elitist fitness option – what would you say to that?

When personal training emerged onto the scene a few years ago, it was for the sporting stars and celebrities of our day. Now the culture has woken up to the fact that their wellness is just as important as someone they read about in the papers, that they too can reach total body transformation through an amazing tool such as personal training. Personal training can seem expensive taken at face value, but you can never really put a price on your life, by sacrificing that meal out or those Costa coffees that amount up in the week, you get something of far superior value with sustainable and lasting effects. 

You are a very inspirational person – what drives you? 

I love people, I am a people person. I have had many battles in health and fitness in the past and have found many answers. I just want to give people the answers and see their lives change, my inspiration and drive comes from journeying with clients and revelling in their every step of victory, from seeing them overcome the stresses of life to them giving up Costa and carrying out personal training instead! 


Dave has a range of fitness options on his website ranging from Fitness Classes to one-to-one sessions (including discounts when you book a block!). There's also some great fitness tips!

  

Dave's been kind enough to give us an exclusive discount to share with all you lovely people! To claim 10% off your first personal training session just mention Loving Dorset when you speak to him! 

Our First Discovery - Red Brick Glass

We wanted to find the perfect way to kick off Loving Dorset and couldn't resist popping for a chat with Wendy from Red Brick Glass! 


From the website alone, we knew we were in store for something special, and we weren't disappointed! We asked Wendy a few questions to find out a bit more about the face behind it all...


How did you get into glass making, and how did Red Brick Glass come into existence? 
I studied Glass and Architectural Glass at Edinburgh College of Art, graduating with a 1st Class Hons Degree in 2000. I then received funding from the Crafts Council's Setting up Scheme to start up The Red Brick Glass Studio. 


What do you love about glass making? 
Glass is such a magical material, unique in terms of colour and transparency, and when lit it seems to come alive. Working in my studio is so peaceful, i just love it! My studio space is my converted double garage in the garden of my Dorset home, it gets flooded with daylight (and even has a rather gorgeous pink floor!!)


We love your designs - what's your inspiration?
I just love pretty things, things that glow and sparkle in soft and fresh colours. I often incorporate my screen printed designs of florals, polka dots and stripes which give a quintissentially British feel.



How do you juggle family life with running a business?
I love the work/home flexibility that comes with working from home, and selling my glass products online is wonderful. I can check my orders, take the children to school, go for a run, make orders in the studio, do my accounts, post orders and do a spot of online marketing without leaving my village.


What is your favourite thing to do when you have some precious time to yourself?
As a family, we love to hop into our 1964 Morris Minor and go to the beach for a picnic. For 'me-time', I find running energises me, and chills me out all at once. Running also helps me solve any creative problems and it is often the time I will think up new designs and products. 


What do you want to be doing in 10 years time?
I try not to think that far ahead. I enjoy today, and plan for tomorrow. I am sure I will still be making glass, so hopefully people will still be buying it!

We couldn't leave there empty handed...... 

April bought some of the Blue Glass Fairy Lights Small (£34) to go around her living room mirror! 

 

 And there we have it! - If you love Wendys designs as much as we do and want to find out more about Red Brick Glass then there is the website and they're also on Facebook 

Loving Dorset have secured a 10% discount for our members on all Wendy's products and Glass Making Lessons when you buy directly from Wendy (wendy@redbrickglass.co.uk). Just mention us in the email!

Welcome

Welcome to the very first post from Loving Dorset - a new blog sharing the treasures and the not so well kept secrets that Dorset has to offer! 

Our mission is to feature fabulous and inspirational people, businesses, opportunities, events and charities  - along with images, exclusive discounts, snippets of information, contact details and much more!

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