Pop Along to the Puddletown Plod

This year, on Sunday 16th June, the Puddletown Plod returns. Starting at 10.30am, this 20k Road Race is your perfect opportunity for some fun fitness in a welcoming environment. The race supports funds for St Mary's School with all money raised used for continuing the refurbishment of the school library. This event is full of people who love energetic activities and who want to give back to their community in a fun, competitive way. 


In the previous couple of years they have raised over £2,000, and this year's race is extra special! They are delighted say that they have been chosen as one of the races in the Dorset Road Race League calendar, so come along and imagine where you could end up. 

The race is organised by a willing band of volunteers who welcome you to join them for a fun day of stunning scenery a friendly atmosphere.  Come along if you want to achieve a high placing, attempt a personal best or just to enjoy the run; there's a place for everyone. 

Check out the course and any other details you need at: http://www.puddletownplod.co.uk/?page=the_course

Foraging Fun at Summer Lodge

I experienced one of the most relaxing and interesting mornings ever on Saturday and I just have to share it with you.  John Wright, professional forager, author and presenter took me along with a small group to Kingcombe Meadows in Dorset for a hedgerow mushroom forage.  I live in a village and regularly walk my dog across the fields but John has opened my eyes to a whole new world of country life which I didn't know existed.  


The event was organised by Kevin Reid and his team at Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Evershot where we assembled at 9.15 on a bright and sunny October morning.   A little apprehensive and not knowing what to expect I kept relatively quiet, for me, and waited to see how the morning would unfold.  Well, what a great bunch of people.  A couple from Hampshire, who had booked a weekend at the Hotel looking for something completely different to do, a journalist, a doctor, a lovely family from Bournemouth,  a local couple who had recently moved to Dorset keen to familiarise themselves with the area, Kevin, John and me.

Our stroll around Kincombe Meadows revealed at least 30 different species of mushroom - I wasn't there for the final count later in the day but I now know there are thousands to be found.  Many harmless and edible and several deadly and poisonous.  All fascinating and in many cases beautiful.  While the experience has opened my eyes to what lies beneath our feet and in nooks and crannies of the great outdoors I'm not about to start foraging for mushrooms to eat without John or one of his fellow experts at my side!  The morning was perfectly rounded off with a Wild Mushroom Risotto at The Acorn Inn, Evershot.  Which was absolutely delicious!

The afternoon involved a 'show and tell' with John about the varieties found throughout the day, which included over 47! 2 more couples joined at this point who has booked especially for the forage (as well as the delightful Mushroom Dinner Menu!)

If you are interested in find out more about foraging packages and other countryside pursuit events and weekends at Summer Lodge please get in touch with Kevin Reid and his team - www.summerlodgehotel.co.uk

Luxury Escapes

We recently visited Launceston Farm in Blandford where we decided to explore the different elements that make a luxury escape. What should you look for? What should you avoid? After a great chat with Sarah, her daughter in law Catherine and a brief hellogoodbye with her farmer son Jimi, not only do we feel utterly overwhelmed by how amazing Launceston Farm is, but we could now almost class ourselves experts when it comes to choosing a luxury retreat! 

Their beautiful bed and breakfast, which has remained in the family since Sarah's grandfather owned the property and land years ago, has an amazing classy and stylish feel about it, that still hits the nail on the head perfectly when it comes to a farm/countryside stay. 

Owner Sarah highlighted a few things to us that she felt made Launceston luxurious and unique, and we agree;
- Family Run
- Strictly adults only!

- Emphasis on the great location.

- Excellent locally sourced food (from their HUGE working farm)

- Constant effort to ensure peace and tranquility for guests.

- Beautifully designed rooms that certainly have the 'wow factor' when it comes to beds, baths and artwork! 

- The little details - homemade biscuits in room, chalkboards for breakfast orders etc

- Gay friendly

- Large dining tables for banquet style dining at breakfast, dinner etc

- Personalised tours of the farm and local area

- Personal recommendations (Sarah makes lists of 'Top 5...' in the local area including places to go, places to eat, places to get coffee and cake etc!)

- A swimming pool (well, who can blame her)

- 'Real Life' farm experiences. Sarah described how a recent guest was and still is mesmerised after seeing a calf being born as he arrived. 

One of the main things that stood out to us, was the real focus on the farm and food. The farm supplies to various local supermarkets, and Sarah offers evening meals to guests on Mondays and Fridays. We were absolutely awestruck as Sarah began to explain the food available to guests, which includes her famous Goat Tagine, Andalusian Lamb and Rustic Casseroles. (one of her dishes is even featuring in the Waitrose Magazine soon so look out for it!).
From the beautiful roll top baths, outstanding furniture, gorgeous outside gardens, well-stocked honesty bar and beautiful countryside views, the whole experience just oozes luxury and tranquility. 

When Loving Dorset arrived at Launceston Farm, we became very aware very quickly that this was not going to be a place that we forgot in a hurry, and after being greeted so warmly by everybody there, we are already checking our diaries for our next free weekends....! 

For anyone looking to get away this summer to either explore the area or avoid Weymouth and Portland's Olympic Mayhem then this will certainly be a great place for a luxury retreat and with prices starting at £55 for single occupancy £80 for double occupancy, you can't NOT really....! Plus, if you visit over the next few months, you may even find a little potted conker plant in your room - a little souvenir from Sarah's home-grown conker tree to remind you of your stay! (how amazing is that!). 
For more information about Launceston Farm, visit their website, like them on their Facebook Page or follow them on Twitter! You won't be disappointed! Now lets enjoy a couple more images......

Escape, Unwind & Find Yourself at Middle Picadilly Holistic Spa Retreat

You can be forgiven if you have never heard of Middle Piccadilly Holistic Spa Retreat.  It’s not particularly well hidden and lots of people know and love it, including Loving Dorset, but Middle Piccadilly, like its owner and guiding hand Dominic Harvey, is understated and discreet. 

Located on the outskirts of Sherborne, Middle Piccadilly attracts guests from all over the world – many head down to Dorset from London and there is a loyal following of more local clients too.  I was introduced to Middle Piccadilly by a good friend a while ago but it was only when I actually visited the retreat recently that I really began to appreciate the tranquillity and the real opportunities offered there to reflect and ‘find yourself’.

Accommodating a maximum number of 9 guests at any one time the atmosphere is very informal and guests are made to feel instantly at home.  Dominic’s view is that only when people are completely relaxed can they truly unwind and be receptive to holistic treatments and rejuvenation.

Middle Piccadilly was originally the brainchild of Dominic’s mother – anecdotally her father was the first osteopath to practice in Harley street London.  Established in 1985 the retreat has evolved and is still evolving to meet the needs of guests looking to escape the stresses of everyday life for a while and re-charge their batteries.  

Radios and TV’s (with the exception of one room) are nonexistent and other electronic equipment is discouraged.  Food as you would imagine is organic, locally sourced and delicious. Celebrity guests over the years have included the likes of Lulu, Maureen Lipman and Terence Trent d’arby!

 A six sided stand alone wooden building on stilts in the grounds provides a tranquil location for yoga practice and meditation

Dominic explains his philosophy, “In order to meet the demands of stressful 21^st Century working life, it’s important to implement sustainable strategies to enable you to maintain a healthy lifestyle that will allow you to manage all the daily challenges at home and at work.”

Middle Piccadilly’s recipe for positive change, a renewed sense of self and an empowered outlook on life includes:

·          An inspiring list of transformative, potentially life changing and empowering healing  treatments for the body mind and spirit.

·          Therapists that work from a holistic perspective – considering all the aspects of your being in wholeness

·          A ‘home from home’ atmosphere to assist you to be your most comfortable

·          An opportunity to clear away anything in your life that doesn’t serve to benefit you

·         Mouth-watering ‘Feel Good’ vegetarian cuisine, the taste sensation that is Roaw Food and all our own freshly prepared recipes

·         Specific and tailored breaks with Detox, Raw or Retreat options.

      For more information visit their website or email Dominic E.dominic@middlepicadilly.com

Dorset Seafood Festival - Fanatic about Fish?

One of our favourite annual events around Dorset is the Dorset Seafood Festival, taking place this year on the 7th and 8th July! Bringing hundreds of people down to Waterfront Weymouth every year, the festival boasts over 100 stalls and a range of expert and celebrity chefs and foodies!
With 2 large demonstration stages, you get the chance to get up close and personal as the chefs teach the crowds some basic skills for cooking fish and show off their talents at whipping up delicious meals! (If you're close enough to the front you may even be called up to taste!)
As you walk round the festival, the crowds are awash with visitors sampling all sorts of fishy treats ranging from oysters, scallops and 'new and upcoming' delicacies as they chat with local restaurant owners, chefs, and fishermen who really know their stuff about catching, buying and cooking! 

Once again the festival is sponsored by Pommery Champagne who, as we know from past experiences, keep the crowds hydrated with iced buckets of scrummy champagne. (Let me tell you now, a chilled glass of fizz beside Weymouth Harbour is something you NEED to experience!)

Celebrity chefs in attendance this year include Dorset’s very own Ashley Palmer Watts (Heston Blumenthal’s No 2) plus River Cottage contributors, Tim Maddams and John Wright,  Lesley Waters, Mat Follas, Richard Bertinet and Russell Brown. They will all bring their own unique skills and interests to the demo stages and teach the basics (filleting, gutting etc). 
For those less able in the kitchen, there is also champagne pouring demonstrations and expert wine tasting (yes, there will be samples!) to help all visitors become the perfect hosts at functions, dinner parties and more! 


This year the event will open with the Weird Fish Cross Harbour Challenge at 10:30am on the Saturday, judged by Sarah Ayton OBE, double Olympic sailing gold medalist, that sees swimmers race accross the cold waters of the harbour to be the first to down an oyster and a class of Pommery Champagne! 

For the younger ones, restaurateur Mark Hix will be judging The Dorset Young Seafood MasterChef of the Year Competition and for the cookbook collectors there will be book signings from famous chef authors - there really is something for everyone! So, if you fancy going along, just get down to Waterfront Weymouth on the 7th/8th July! See you there! More information available on the Website, Facebook and Twitter.