Four Go Mad in Dorset

Dorset, a place I drive past on my way to other western counties, sad to say I have never stopped and visited, something I intend to put right very shortly.

Dorset to me smacks of Enid Blyton and the Jurassic coastline, about the only two things I know about the place so I am expecting a fusion of picnics down country lanes with lashings of ginger beer and rather oddly, dinosaurs and fossils. I certainly want to see the coast but actually, it is the inland areas that intrigue me more as I know so little about them.

Dorchester, Casterbridge in Thomas Hardy’s book of the same name, conjures up distant memories of English Literature study at O Level with a smattering somehow of ‘The Archers’ – perhaps it is the similarity with the fictional town of Borchester. I am also keen to visit Sherbourne and Shaftesbury, with Gold Hill made famous by the Hovis television advert.

I have chosen the old Dairy House at Arne as to me, it perfectly encapsulates my perceived iconic Dorset property and it is beautifully situated with walks going through to the upper reaches of Poole Harbour. As well as the opportunity to enjoy some fabulous countryside and wildlife spotting, there might even be the chance for a quick cameo appearance on the BBCs ‘Autumnwatch’ which is being filmed at RSPB Arne this year. I am travelling with three old school friends and so I am confidently expecting that it really will be four go mad in Dorset this autumn.