Sub-Lyme Regis

After hibernating doing other stuff for, oooh, 10 months, I've decided it's time to take this blog by the scruff of its neck and get writing again.

And what could be more auspicious than a little post about Lyme Regis?

Let's start with the literary connections. For any Jane Austen fan, it's all about where Louisa Musgrove fell off the Cobb or if John Fowles is your man, it's where his novel, The French Lieutenant's Woman, is set, immortalised by Meryl Streep (or her stand-in) with that unforgettable black cape draped around her.



Anyway, even with a virtually cloudless sky and temperatures in the '70s, the Cobb is still pretty scary to walk along. Believe me, it's deceptive.







I hate heights or exposed walkways without railings (!) but was determined to reach the end. Ultimately, I had to give up and clamber down the last set of steps, with help from some passers-by who saw me dithering - too scared to go forward, too terrified to turn back.

The Harbour...



Although Lyme Regis is the perfect English seaside resort, totally dog-friendly, etc, etc, most of the beaches have summer restrictions so if you go with your hound, you don't get to walk by the sea. Note to self for next time. I was borrowing two dogs for the day and they weren't very impressed. It seemed particularly mean to walk them past any swimming opportunities.

However, there are LOTS of dog-friendly places to sit, look out and enjoy the Jurassic coastline. Even the lampposts are themed...



If you wander into the back streets, it gets even better. I cannot recommend the Town Mill Bakery highly enough. It reminds me so much of how Neal's Yard Bakery in Covent Garden used to be - artisan, fun and producing the yummiest food EVER. And it's dog-friendly outside.

When you walk through the main (and only entrance), this is what you see:



And it's communal dining at its finest:



Check out the butter!



I missed the recent episode of the BBC's Mary, Queen of Shops but the owners of Maher and Son could do much worse than see how these guys are baking amazing goods.



In the meantime, here are some architectural gems that caught my eye...







Get to Lyme Regis before the school holidays kick in and the traffic jams make you fall out of love with it before you've even arrived.

PS We didn't get to dine at Hix Oyster & Fish House but I have it on very good authority that it's the place to eat and the staff will make you feel like a million dollars if you're celebrating a special occasion while serving up fabulous fayre.