Dorset camping

After just 5 days back at home we were off again to Dorset for Penny's birthday bash - a big family camp out at Burnbake www.btinternet.com/~burnbakecampsite which is on the Isle of Purbeck near to Studland Bay.

The cousins' breakfast..

Fab site and close to a great beach with a small cafe where your tea was served in mugs, on trays for you to return and where they even had deckchairs, windbreaks, kids toys and buckets to borrow on an honour system, amazing in this money money world - even the kids lollies were organic and only 50p!

We had a wonderful day there on Saturday followed by a barbecue with proper camp fire and toasted marshmallows.

It was such a great weekend and the kids (especially Georgia and Fintan) will certainly remember it for a long time. Michael was absolutely thrilled to discover that the beach - South Beach on Studland Bay - seemed ripe for a bit of cockling. The difference between France and England was amazing (no-one cockling all sunbathing!), within minutes of looking he had found some whoppers and within a pretty short time had collected 2 buckets full - Finny was an excellent apprentice. So as a starter before the fabulous lamb that Kev cooked we cooked them up, mariniere style. They could have done with a longer soak to degrit, but most of the family tried them and some even enjoyed them - especially Finny who ate them with real gusto! Now Michael wants a decent weekend so we can go and check out Minnis Bay. Foraging is his new favourite hobby!
Nick, Victoria and Joel joined us for one night - much to the kids delight. Joel proved to be a fantastic hobby horse, play mate and gatherer of fire wood.

Raff has always had a soft spot for Nick, so loved playing Frisbee on the beach, and then was suitably amazed and detighted to be able to mess about on Kev's new monster motorbike.

Lizzie is clearly now a seasoned camper - having already been to the Big Chill, and we all loved having cuddles with her.

Sunday was Penny's birthday - and who doesn't celebrate it without cake, fizz and two bottles of pickled onions from the local beer festival! (could the presence of Kev have anything to do with this?)