Abbotsbury Swannery was our only excursion this week. The Swannery was established by Benedictine Monks who built a monastery at Abbotsbury during the 1040s. The monks farmed the swans to produce food for their lavish Dorset banquets. St Peter’s monastery was destroyed in 1539, during the dissolution. Some of the ruins are still visible around St Nicolas’ Church in the village. Since that time, the Swannery has been under the stewardship of the same family who still own and manage it today. It was cold and blustery but surprisingly fascinating. There are 160 nesting pairs who mate for life and produce about 6 cygnets each breeding season. Also many other birds including one lonely looking black swan. Who knows how she/he made it to Britain.
We have had a quiet yet productive week. Jim has been particularly busy joining the local gym and planting out his vege garden. You can’t keep a good gardener out of his patch. I began doing an online French cookery course and managed to produce a dinner of delicious French onion soup and ok lemon fish with veloute. So food was a definite theme this week.
Cornwall tomorrow for a few days away. Hope to have some great pics and adventures to share when we return. Not too late to let us know your fav places!
Jim and Frankie's Amazing Gap Year Adventure 
Great to see the veggie garden coming along, as you say , you can’t keep a good gardener down. The cooking class sounds fascinating, I am sure you are doing their produce justice. On the home front have finally got the fire going at night as the evenings are really chilly, some cold days just gone but back into the 20s this week which will be nice. Have fun and look forward to hearing from you next week
John and Barb
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If you go to Mevagissey, say hello for us. That was our base for Cornwall. Parking is challenging. Weather here- cold and wet.
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Dear Frankie and Jim, you look so much at home and settled into your ‘dream’ come true.
Love your photos, thanks you for sharing with us, Marilyn
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