Relax, Rebalance and Revitalise at Charmouth Reiki

Reiki is pronounced Ray-Key. It is a method of healing through light touch which helps to promote the body's natural ability to heal itself. Reiki is a way to de-stress yourself without spending heaps of money on retail therapy or watching films and turning your brain to mush! This therapy encourages personal development on all levels, including emotional, physical, mental and spiritual. 

Janice Pritchard, the driving force behind it all, is a wonderful  Reiki Master. She practises and teaches Reiki in Charmouth and Bridport. Janice worked for the NHS as an Occupational Therapist and also has a qualification in Anxiety Management, so we know you're in good hands! She enjoys teaching Reiki and offers teaching on a one-to-one basis because she understands that everyone is on their own path. As part of the Reiki workshop Janice gives Reiki attunements, a simple spiritual ceremony which activates your chakras, and allows you to give Reiki. Janice says, 

I love to give attunements at sacred sites and stone circles wherever possible such as at Kingston Russell stone circle or Nine Maidens stone circle near Winterbourne Abbas. Reiki is my passion and is all I can do now! It has truly changed my life and thousands of people around the world will say the same too! 

Janice offers taster Reiki treatments for charity events and ladies pamper evenings. We love this idea, here at Loving Dorset, and think this is a great way to discover Reiki for yourself as well as meeting the genius that is Janice!

Our followers (you guys) are eligible for a 15% discount on Reiki treatments during October and November and  10% discount on all teaching workshops! Don't miss out. Get down there asap for a lovely atmosphere and tranquilizing experience. 

Visit her website: Charmouth Reiki or pop along. We hope to see you there!

The Dining Room - Distinguished Dining for All!

Come along to The Dining Room in Weymouth centre. We first heard of this excellent restaurant through Twitter and saw them at the Dorset Sea Food Festival and Wessex Food Festival,  which we all loved! So we know they have a good taste in events but what about their culinary skills?

Well if being a finalist in the 'Best Restaurant' category in the Taste of Dorset Awards 2012 doesn't convince you, then maybe popping along to taste their fine blend of culinary styles might. Their menu has been influenced by Arabic, Far Eastern and Modern European cuisine and is one of the most unique dining experiences in Weymouth. 

The Dining Room also do culinary classes for all abilities. There is a basic course for beginners, including knife skills, simple ingredient knowledge and sample dishes like fresh fish pies or delectable desserts. You could also attend an advanced class for the accomplished cook that would like to learn a few tricks! How does a Chicken ballontine with oregano rosti, lemon and sage butter sauce sound? Classes start from £70 a person and are well worth the effort. 

To Book call 01305 783008. Or email them at: info@thediningroomweymouth.co.uk.



For divine food visit them at The Dining Room Restaurant, 67 St Mary Street, Weymouth
or follow them on facebook and twitter. If you still don't believe me, here's someone else who has experienced it first hand:

'The food’s incredible, the wine’s wonderful and the staff are amazing. Weymouth has been waiting for a restaurant like this!' - Carole Malone

Come down and see for yourself... The Dining Room

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. 

The real meaning of the word Luxury!

Mention Summer Lodge to anyone who's visited and their eyes light up and a recommendation quickly follows.  I was lucky enough to be taken to dinner there one evening last winter so I can speak from first-hand experience.  The atmosphere, food, wine and service were all exceptional and definitely made it, for me, a Loving Dorset must have post.  With this in mind and being keen to see the hotel in the full light of day I called to ask for a show-round.  To cut a long story short, Kevin Reid, Director of Sales at Summer Lodge, very kindly met with me at Summer Lodge this week and gave me the full low down on what really is (and I hate the over use of ‘unique’) a unique venue!

Some might expect a venue like Summer Lodge to be extremely quiet on a damp spring afternoon but far from it.   Alive, pleasantly busy and a haven of peace, in equal measures, would be a more accurate description.  I saw several groups of people enjoying mouth-watering afternoon tea (which is served from 1.30pm), guests milling around and making the most of the hotel’s spa, relaxing beside the swimming pool.

Part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection Summer Lodge has an excellent reputation and very comprehensive website but nothing compares with ‘seeing for yourself’!  Attention to detail, burning wood fires (because it’s a bit cool outside), sumptuous quintessential British country house decor with a quirky twist, fresh flowers and a warm and friendly atmosphere make for the perfect setting for any occasion.  I’m thinking weddings, anniversaries, christenings, private parties, corporate meetings, product launches and events - but it would lend itself to much more besides.

Summer Lodge oozes tradition and history but the team of people running it are forward thinking and on the ball.  Innovative packages include Adventures in Food where guests can rediscover the ancient art of foraging with acknowledged expert John Wright - star of TV show ‘River Cottage’. Here John introduces guests and diners to the joys of these fascinating food adventures and the hotels award-winning restaurant uses the produce collected during the day to create a sumptuous feast. 

The forages are free of charge to guests staying in the hotel on Friday or Saturday night as well as non-residents with Saturday night dinner reservations. The next event is a Seashore Forage on Saturday 19th May 2012 – definitely worth checking out. 

The Summer Lodge Wine Dinners are pretty exceptional too.  They have been established for some time and are held monthly.  For these evenings Chef Steven Titman teams up with Cellar Master Eric Zwiebel, recognised as one of the four best Sommeliers in the world, to create a series of extraordinarily enjoyable dining experiences.  The next date is 5^th June and presents wines from Yerling Station, Yarra Valley in Australia which looks sensational but I’ve got my eye on the 5 Sommeliers Black Tie Dinner on 19^th September! 

I have to say the thing that really impressed me the most was the relaxed and friendly atmosphere that greeted me throughout the hotel.  I didn’t feel intimidated for a second.   My experience was one of laid back luxury!  

It also boasts some impressive awards – recent wins include ... 

·         Dorset Restaurant of the Year - Taste of Dorset Awards 2011

·         Best British Cheese Board - The British Cheese Society Awards 2010

·         Sunday Times - Britain's Top 100 Restaurants 2010 - 2nd in the South West, 27th in the UK, Top 10 Best Wine Lists
Conde Nast Johansens 2010 Awards for Excellence - Most Excellent Service in the UK & Ireland

·         Recognised as Gold Standard Award Investors in People - the first company to gain this award on a worldwide basis.

Thank you Kevin – I really enjoyed my visit and will be back soon!  For further information please check out the website www.summerlodgehotel.co.uk

The Good Old English Cuppa'

Tucked away in the Tudor Arcade in Dorchester is a real hidden gem for all tea lovers - The Gilded Teapot. A truly independent tea and coffee specialist emporium, stocking over 130 different kinds of loose leaf teas, along with locally roasted coffees and all the paraphernalia to go with it! The shop can easily be found by following the smell of tea into the old tobacconists where you'll find Jo Davies at the helm! 


Since opening in 2010, The Gilded Teapot has gone from strength to strength, despite the recession, and now supply tea for local delis, two cafes and a brilliant farm shop ! They even met Theo Paphitis last week and have been nominated for Entrepreneur and Small Business Awards which they're awaiting the results for! (Good Luck Guys!). 


Their main business mission is to bring the finest loose teas from around the globe into our teapots - while diminishing the opinion that loose tea drinking is all part of an elitist club! Loose leaf is for everyone, and anyone whose been to The Gilded Teapot will have had the pleasure of experiencing the knowledge and passion that oozes from everyone who works there! 
A big thumbs up came from us when we learnt about the effort that goes into making sure everything is sourced ethically! They work with the Ethical Tea Partnership alongside some of the greatest fair trade and organic estates in the world  to bring and blend responsible tea. 
How do I cope without a teabag?! Don't worry, we thought the same, so we asked Jo herself - "Bags stop tea from doing that they do best - infusing! If it's quality of leaf and flavour you're looking for, then our loose leaves will always serve you well. Although it sounds like a messy option, it really isn't - we stock a wide range of infuser teapots that don't drip, along with all sorts of strainers to help you on your way!"

As well as some fantastic teas, they also have a sensational range of locally roasted double-award winning coffees, made at the Dorset Coffee Company in Dorchester, if that's more your thing :) 
The Gilded Teapot isn't just a one trick pony, they also stock a sensational range of locally roasted coffees from the Dorset Coffee Company and offer talks, tastings, wedding favours, cafe and restaurants supplies with training, as well as a take-away service! 


For more info please visit their website , follow them @TheGildedTeapot or subscribe to their new e-newsletter where you can find discounts on their tea-of-the-month starting soon!