A later start this morning. Heavy rain all night and into the morning didn’t encourage us to get moving early. The miserable morning skies and temperature meant the omelette breakfast was partaken indoors and not outside. We cast our minds back but couldn’t think of any other occasions so far on our Brunnehilda adventures that we couldn’t breakfast outdoors or at least in Isabella!
We headed off to Dorchester- about 10 miles away - although the traffic, as always seem to be the case around these parts, was heavy!
First stop was Hardy’s Cottage (his birthplace in 1840) in a village called Higher Bockhampton. After signing in at the Visitors Centre there was a very evocative 15 minute walk through an ancient and undulating forest path to the cottage. The setting was idyllic, the cottage and garden being small but very “original”. Truthfully speaking Rachel could have been game fully employed tidying up the garden a bit but to be fair that was part of its charm.
A lady gave us a very interesting 15 minute introduction as we sat by the fireplace. The small room (and house) filled with the smell of wood smoke. There was only about 5 rooms to see and all were tiny! Hardy’s bedroom where he wrote his first 4 novels (including Far from the Madding Crowd) being the highlight. I sat at his desk by the window for some inspiration - none was forthcoming!!
We then made the 3 mile journey into the outskirts of Dorchester and the house that Hardy built himself after he was famous - a dark large but fairly modest Victorian villa.
It was really well done with all authentic furnishings (obviously!) with everyone getting a very easy to read booklet explaining the rooms, the family, their visitors and the history. In a number of the rooms the displayed books ( most of them by Hardy!) were for sale. I bought a couple - 2 of his early ones that I hadn’t read - a Pair of Blue Eyes and Desperate Remedies.
After our dose of Hardy we parked up in Dorchester for food and a walk. The food was supplied by Wagamama situated at a nice edge of town retail area built around an old Brewery- called Brewery Square. As always with Wagamama, you get a very reliable tasty good value meal - with free green tea as well! We had a long walk around a deserted city centre (it was early Sunday evening after all) and followed the river back to the car. I liked Dorchester - lots of history but just a touch scruffy and “lived in”. Note to self - it would be worth another visit when everything isn’t shut!
We were back home tucked up in Brunnehilda by 7.30. A different game tonight - Canasta. Different game but same result! Kim takes losing to me very well - to be fair, she has had a lot of practice though!!?
Another Brunnehilda episode tonight ... the water heating isn’t working! We suspect it’s connected to our water leak episode yesterday. The visit to Blackmore Vale tomorrow can’t come soon enough!
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