Jurassic Coast

“It sometimes happens that the town child is more alive to the fresh beauty of the country than a child who is country born.” -Beatrix Potter

This week we drove 100 miles south of London to Dorset. Unlike the big city, Dorset is covered in a patchwork of farmland, hedgerows, narrow country lanes, dramatic cliffs and seaside views, and plenty of room for our kids to roam free! Dorset is also home to the Jurassic Coast which contains fossils ranging from 90 to 240 million years old. These fossils are uncovered as the cliffs erode, and with a little exploration, you can discover them for yourself on the beach. We found a few ammonite fossils, and possibly a dinosaur bone from some ancient sea creature.

We stayed in a farmhouse built in the 1590s that had some connection to Winston Churchill. It is amazing how old things are in the UK, and Europe generally, when compared to the States (we visited Winchester Cathedral where construction began in 1079). The kids enjoyed the country life - feeding the goats, fishing in the pond, flying kites, and playing football (soccer) and croquet, while Hannah and I have taken up the great British pastime of afternoon tea. We visited the Durdle Door, the seaside town of Lyme Regis, and a country fair replete with sheep shearing, falconry, livestock judging, Whippy (soft serve ice cream), and countless beagles. Uncle Rodney gave Evelyn sketching lessons and took me cycling (my first time!) with stops for wild blackberries along the route. I really enjoyed our time here.  

In spite of all the country charms, the best part was spending time with Hannah’s family. Yesterday was an emotional day of goodbyes, hugs, and tears. We have truly appreciated their company and generous hospitality, and we’ll miss them as we strike out on our own. A big thank you to Rodney, Yuk-Lin, Rachel, Charlie, Tim, Marina, Mama, and Kong Kong for all of the cooking, Millie watching, tour guiding, and many miles of driving. We’ll miss you!

What we’re reading: City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction by David Macaulay

What we’re listening to: Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley

Where we’re headed next: The land of Beatrix Potter - Lakes District (UK)