Lepe of faith ...

At the risk of this blog turning into a 'dog blog' today I'm going to share our shenanigans in the New Forest.

Just as we were expecting that rain would stop play at Wimbledon and therefore also that it might stuff up our few days away in the New Forest, summer surprised us all and leapt into action.  With impeccable timing, just as OH finished work for a few days, the sun burst out from behind the clouds and smiled a great big summer smile.

So, to start off our few days break together, we set off into London and the O2 to see Michael Buble in action.  Having bought tickets at a phenomenal price last November (I'm not even going to think about telling you how much we paid in case you faint because on a day like today you do not want to be collapsed in a heap on the floor) we were really looking forward to it.  I say we and I mean we.  OH is partial to a bit of Buble's musical talent - I honestly didn't have to drag him.  I guess that's why we are lucky - we have SO MUCH in common.  Anyway, Buble didn't disappoint and having danced our way through all my absolutely favourites, which were performed with a smoothness to rival carte d'or ice cream (really?  yes really) I gathered together my very expensive signed programme and the heart shaped confetti I caught as it tumbled through the air during All You Need Is Love and we strode happily out into a perfect summer's evening.

Next day we set off with a massive holdall full of 'just in case' items .... Raincoats (just in case), jumpers (just in case), jeans (you get the idea by now surely) and walking boots together with t shirts, water, sweets for the 'journey', several changes of clothes (for all weathers ... you guessed it ... just in case) and my trusty camera.  OH then heaved into the car 'Huffington's holiday box'.  Now, you think that all the stuff you have to remember when taking kids on holiday is a chore.  We ran through his 'list' (just in case) ... Towel (check), short lead (check), wheelie lead (check), Kong (for those without canine companions this is a red heavy duty rubber toy thing that you stuff treats in) ... (check), Dentastix (check), peanut butter (yes really - for the Kong - check), food (check), water for the journey (check), water bowl (check), food bowl (check), poo bags (check), wipes (check) ... and we finally set off, laden down with things we 'might need' in case the weather changed.

Arriving at the New Forest OH and I deliberated for a bit as to why it was called the New Forest - it seemed fairly old actually, the trees were REALLY tall.  We decided that it 'was new at the time I suppose' and that's why they called it that!  With my trusty pal google to hand on my phone I looked it up and apparently the New Forest was created by William the Conqueror.  William the Conqueror was not a massive tree hugger by all accounts but was partial to a bit of game hunting.  At the expense of several small villages and farms, he cultivated this forest, added some game and then hunted there.  Ta daaaaa - New Forest.  Two of his sons died there though so maybe what seemed like a good idea at the time might have backfired slightly.

We drove gently over cattle grids, marvelling at the New Forest ponies who gathered at the side of the road and ambled carelessly in front of passing cars until we passed the very picturesque Beaulieu.  Oohing and ahhhing along the way at the peacefulness and beauty of the place we eventually arrived at Bucklers Hard.  Now I have to say choosing Bucklers Hard and The Master Builders hotel was an absolute stroke of luck.  We had been searching for a dog friendly hotel with walks and a beach for ages on t'internet only to chance across The Master Builders in the Alistair Sawdays 'dog friendly' holiday book.  What a find!

So we approached the entrance as the gates opened for us and drove down to the patrons only car park.  In front of us was the most gorgeous view.  The sun was shining and small boats bobbed up and down gently on the water.  We had so lucked out.  The Master Builders hotel is placed within Bucklers Hard, an 18th century ship building village on the banks of Beaulieu river and it is absolutely stunning.  You can take a walk into Beaulieu by the river or just while away the afternoon watching the boats with a glass or two of wine from the hotel bar.

Once we felt sufficiently revived from our car journey the following day, having spent the previous evening sitting out by the river with a bottle of champagne and a very patient dog, we decided to go to Lepe country park and beach.  This was an easy decision for us in terms of 'where to go' as Lepe beach is dog friendly.  It does have a small area for families which is not accessible for dogs from May to September but it is easily bypassed on foot and you can walk back down to the beach with your furry friend.

Everything about Lepe was lovely.  The car park, country walk, beach cafe, toilets and information point were clean and tidy and the cafe was well staffed.  The sun was shining and therefore everyone had a smile on their face - even HuffingtonBear who was about to experience his first splash in the sea.  So we led him down to the sea, oh and they have these perfect little sectioned off bits of beach so HB couldn't dash off, and in he went.  At first he wasn't sure but he was soon splashing in and out of the sea chasing a small piece of driftwood and actually bringing it back 'a la fetch'.  The Huff has never quite caught on when it comes to fetch but 'fetch the piece of driftwood from the shallow water' is definitely HIS game.  With my trusty camera I took dozens of photos like I did with the kids when they were little at the beach for the first time.  We had a great time.  The weather was perfect, the dog was well behaved, they had ice cream at the shop and cold water for The Huff and we remembered hay fever tablets (see previous Richmond Park blog posting!).  The only things we forgot were hats and sun cream.  We honestly didn't think the weather would be so good and we had COMPLETELY forgotten to add them to the 'just in case' list.  Never mind - I look rather fetching with a red nose and OH had a rather angry looking patch of red on the back of his neck.  Thankfully though, neither of us got sun stroke and generally we just had a great day.  On the way back to the hotel, donkeys entertained us by aimlessly wandering about in the road where the ponies had been before.

So there you have it, just a little snap shot really.  To give you a general idea of Beaulieu, Bucklers Hard and Lepe.  well worth a visit I'd say and we went just outside the school holidays which meant that it was all pretty quiet.  A quick note on the hotel.  It's quirky and old so don't expect perfection.  Having said that, the staff are helpful and the bar food is tasty and reasonably priced.  You are really paying for the location - which I have to say is spot on.  All in all a good few days away - we will definitely re-visit especially as HuffingtonBear loved the sea so much.

Have a great week people and enjoy the sunshine.

Blog you later, Julesy x

It's the one thing that isn't criminal ...

Happy Monday people,

So here we are having just witnessed summer.  Summer in the UK of course being two successive days of sunshine.  Did you enjoy it?  Those who went to work this fine Monday morning must have felt pretty safe in the knowledge that they wouldn't be missing anything much weather wise.  The warmth today is bordering on muggy and definitely not 'legs out' weather, unless of course you have a spray tan or naturally healthy looking non 'milk-bottle white' legs.  Anyhow, enough of weather chat because yes, the weather in summer in this country is truly criminal and the headline here is about something that isn't criminal!

Criminal Minds.  Ever heard of it?  Possibly not unless you like a bit of Sky Living.  In my house, about a year ago, I stumbled across Sky Living.  It was mid afternoon and I was revelling in the fact that I had been made redundant and didn't have to worry about work.  Lazily flicking through the channels I happened across Criminal Minds.

Criminal Minds is a US police series that premiered on CBS in 2005 and I am hooked.  With its 9th season due to air in the US in the autumn, series 8 is just drawing to a close on Sky Living.  Having never been much of a fan of the Police 'drama' genre until our very own Luther came along (swiftly followed by the almighty Broadchurch) I held out little hope for poor Criminal Minds but I watched an episode 'because I could'.

The action centres around the BAU in Quantico, Virginia where a team of FBI agents, led by Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) study the behaviour of the perpetrators of violent / serial crime in order to find them and help bring them to justice.  We are currently mid way through series 8 and have yet to come across a recurring story line.  This is somewhat impressive based on the fact that each series has an average of 22 episodes.  Although one or two of the main characters have been replaced by new ones, the mainstays of the series have remained.  Three favourites in our house are (the quite delicious 'did I say that out loud?') agent Derek Morgan (portrayed brilliantly by Shemar Moore), IT whizz and super geek Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia (played quirkily by Kirsten Vangsness) and the unforgettable Dr Spencer Reid, slightly awkward but loveable genius potrayed by Matthew Gray Gubler.

Occasionally stories run across two episodes but most are condensed into the one hour episode.  Each episode seems to fly by and we find ourselves watching two in a row having set the 'box' to series link record.  Unlike most crime / police series the primary characters are not only really believable as agents but the elements of their personal lives enable you to warm to them and connect with them more fully.  The stories are great - you get drawn in.

With oodles of channels to choose from, we still find it hard to find something that we can all sit down and watch together (family with young adults of course .... I wouldn't suggest snuggling up to a CM episode with little ones!).  However, Criminal Minds does it for us - we have watched almost every episode now over the past year and will no doubt be excited to see series 9 when it finally airs in the UK.

So it's a recommendation basically.  A big and hearty thumbs up for Criminal Minds.  Love it!

Right, I must go, things to do, Shemar Moore to drool over (I MUST stop typing the things that run randomly through my mind!)

Blog you later

Julesy x