Puzzle Pandemonium in Hope Square

We have recently discovered an ingenious new shop which we are very excited about. You can find the Jigsaw Shop in Brewers Quay, Hope Square, Weymouth. Run by Dave Evans, this business produces high quality bespoke hand cut wooden jigsaw puzzles from everyones favourite photographs, art prints or posters. All the products are hand made by Dave himself, who was trained and worked at the world famous Victory wooden jigsaw puzzle manufacturer, so you know you will be in good, and very skilled hands. This shop provides the perfect gifts for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries and many more occasions. 
One speciality of Dave's is the wedding jigsaw. The idea is that each of the guests write on the back of a piece so the happy couple has a more interesting memory from the wonderful day. This is big in America but fairly new to Britain so you could be ahead of the trendand show your friends how much fun jigsaws can be. 
 
















Come and join us and buy your loved ones their most memorable present yet! Check them out at : The Jigsaw Shop (www.jigsawfilms.me)

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......

Crafts and Giggles - A Twist on the Traditional Hen Party!

Since Loving Dorset joined Twitter, we have come across lots of unique and unusual people and businesses, and often sit pondering over all these wonderful places we'd love to go one day or see. This is one of those. How wonderful would it be to sit around a table with all your girlfriends and make something you can keep forever?
We noticed Crafts and Giggles and felt it was definitely an upcoming trend that needed shouting about! Katie Rand, Dorset based artist and founder of Crafts and Giggles, offers party entertainment in the form of bespoke craft workshops. These can be part of any party, event or occasion and can be tailored for all sizes from a selection of different craft workshops. 

The best part of this concept, we felt, was that it is such a more memorable way of celebrating your hen party. (Who ever really remembers what happened in that night club when you were wearing them ridiculous flashing sashes and shot glass necklaces?) 
During the workshop parties, hens will have the chance to make something as an individual, collectively, or as part of a group, and the bride will have a treasured memory to keep at the end of it all! We loved these hand-painted ceramic plates - these come as part of a workshop costing around £18 per person and suitable for all ages. During the workshop, the hens each choose an item to paint, resulting in a full, personalised tea set for the bride. (Which can be given as a collective wedding present to the bride and groom!).

The best thing is, you could choose to make something that will actually feature at the wedding day itself, such as floral decorations and wedding favours. Here are some paper bows and paper teacups that come under the 'Paper Table Decorations' workshops costing around £20 per person. This workshop is run by Dorset based artist Annisa Lee. 

There is a huge range of workshops available for all occasions which you can see on the website - Katie offers a mobile service too, covering Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Devon and even London on request. Every workshop includes all materials and expert tuition, and costs are dependent on location and duration. We are definitely hoping the next hen party we attend will be with Katie!!!
For more information, please contact Katie on 07824396645 or email katie@craftsandgiggles.com - they're also on 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