Month: June 2025

(Filmed June 2nd – before I broke my ribs). A morning out visiting my grandparent’s old village of Langton Matravers as I make my way to Burngate Purbeck Stone Centre where I experience a life-long dream….I get to try my hand at stone carving!

For more details about Burngate (directions and courses etc): info@burngatestonecentre.co.uk

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

Out & About: Langton Matravers & I try stone carving!

(Filmed before I broke my ribs). I’ve been making the most of my new library card……but the books need to be returned so I am going to spend an hour or so making notes. It’s all about planning the shade garden. And, with prefect timing, a wonderful parcel arrives. I have other thank yous to say too.

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

Vivi’s Cottage Garden: Planning the Shade Garden

(Filmed before I broke my ribs). Pull up a chair at the kitchen table……it’s a hot day and I’m taking a break from gardening for a moment…..so we can have a natter about all sorts.

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

At Home: Kitchen Table Quickie

(Filmed May 31st before I broke my ribs). It’s a gorgeous weekend day so that means only one thing – garden time! There’s still a huge amount to do (clearing/tidying) but more plants are going in……progress is happening slowly but surely.

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

Vivi’s Cottage Garden: Progress (slowly but surely)

(Filmed before I broke my ribs). Today I am getting on with making the little curtain for the scullery (to hide pipes and my recycling). While I get on with that I put some laundry on – with a natural detergent picked straight from the garden. Join me for another ‘doing’ session and hopefully some of the tips and tricks I share may be useful to you.

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

At Home: Natural laundry detergent & scullery curtain.

(Filmed May 25th – before I broke my ribs). Wooohoooo! It’s time to get planting after a big push to clear the sunny bed. Richard and Paul have visited and brought a few veggies from their plot for me…..and Paul can’t help himself as he starts ‘picking’ at a problem……

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

Vivi’s Cottage Garden: Ivy & Planting!

(Filmed 13th of May). This morning I’m heading down to the beach to meet up with a new neighbour and get introductions to some others. A pit stop at the deli on the way for one ingredient. Join me on the beach in the most beautiful morning sunshine……and let the waves wash your troubles away…….

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

Out and About: Beach Friends

A quickie today to give a health update….for both me (oops) and my home (oops).

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

At Home: Health update (mine and my home’s)

(Filmed 18th of May). It’s high time I unpacked and got a working shed sorted. The items were packed last February and March (2024) so I have forgotten what’s in each box……..opening them is like Christmas and memory lane all rolled into one. I also rectify the wrong decision with the composting area.

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

Vivi’s Cottage Garden: Shed! & Compost

I am gradually finding the bits and pieces of furniture I need……some new, some vintage. Today I’ll show you how I’ve got on so far……and how the all-important budget is holding up.

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Living a simple, mindful life by the sea in rural England (Dorset).

At Home: Furniture Finds – an update