This year Lesbian Bonfire w/e was held at Lulworth Youth Hostel in West Lulworth - with us taking it over for ourselves. The youth hostel is just inland from Lulworth Cove on the Dorset coast.

Women arrived from 3pm onwards - as did Jayne and I with the food (Jayne had kindly taken over the cooking this year - with my undying gratitude!)

We settled in and put the kettle on. The hostel was lovely and warm, and proved to be a really cosy space.

By 6pm practically everyone had arrived, including Madeline who had come by train. There was lots of chat going on as women got to know each other or met old friends again.

Supper that night was Spicy Pumpkin soup, followed by pasta with a choice of delicious sauces (pea, mint & cream sauce or spicy tomato). There was plenty of salad to go with it, then fresh fruit salad with cream or ice cream to finish...

The evening was fine, so most of us headed out for a stroll up the road, gently ascending till we could see the sea under the moon. Magic. Most of us then headed to bed fairly early.

The forecast had been okish for Saturday, and the rain from the night cleared to leave a wonderful sunny - if windy - day.

After breakfast and making our packed lunches we headed up the hill behind the the hostel in two different groups.

Madeline took the Intermediate walk along the ridge and across the ranges towards Arish Mel.

The low intermediate group and I followed on behind at a somewhat more relaxed pace.

We had the most stunning views forward and back, with the folds of the hills and coast forming wonderful curves in 3 dimensions.

From our break point on the hill overlooking Arish Mel bay we could see the Intermediate group below us at the Bay, then climbing the hill beyond.

Here are some of the Intermediate group photos... from Jayne.

Meanwhile, the rest of us relaxed in the sun and soaked up the views!

From there we turned back along the ridge and took the path down to Mupes Bay where we stopped for a slightly early lunch.

It was so beautiful - and the waves were mesmerising!

After a good long stop here we climbed the steps up from the beach only to see the Intermediate group coming our way.

They had taken their break where we last saw them on the summit then returned to follow our route to Mupes Bay for their lunch.

From here we walked back along the coast, stopping to investigate the Fossil Forest.

Just a little further on we reached the viewpoint over Lulworth Cove, and descended to the beach to finish our walk along the shore of the Cove.

The beach cafe had moved into the village, and we enjoyed tea and hot chocolate there before our last stroll back to the hostel - for more tea, and cake!

That evening we ate out at the Cromwell House Hotel at the Cove - where WW groups normally stay for Lulworth Cove w/e's.

We had a good meal and rolled back to the hostel replete.

We managed to all fit around the small lounge area and some stayed up late talking.

There wasn't really space to play any games!

Heavy rain in the night cleared while we ate our breakfast. Today we were headed west towards White Nothe and St Catherine's church.

The wind had risen considerably, and in fact it continued to increase during the day.

We started out across the downs inland, crossing fields with views towards the sea and to Portland Bill ahead.

Our progress was fairly slow with the wind in our faces - but luckily no rain.

At last we reached St Catherine's Church which has a remarkable location right on the cliffs at the start of Weymouth Bay.

Some braved the wind to eat their sandwiches with a view, while others retreated into the small wooden church for some shelter.

The Intermediate group arrived - with Olly - as we were getting ready to leave. (They had taken a longer route to start with).

Both groups avoided the steep edgy track over White Nothe. The wind now rendering it unadvisable.

So instead, we retraced our steps part of the way, then cut down to the coast where there is a high path that no longer hugs the cliffs.

The wind was very strong and some just kept their heads down while there was hilarity for others as they were bowled over at times - into deep soft grass.

The waves out to sea were considerable, and by the time we descended to Durdle Door there were great photos to be had of the waves crashing through the Door.

When the Intermediate group arrived they descended to the beach while the rest of us headed back to comfy sofas at the hostel.

Back at the hostel we got supper on the go.

There was a general wish not to light a bonfire on the beach despite a quantity of wood collected. Frankly, we might not have been able to light it the wind was so strong!

Instead we had baked potatoes with tuna, cheese, fromage frais, coleslaw, salad, the rest of the pea & cream sauce, garlic mushrooms.... This was rounded off by Jayne's delicous treacle tart and cream, real egg custard, or ice cream!!

Despite being tired, some women stayed up till late. The event developed into a pyjama party as the hilarity increased...

On our last day we woke to heavy rain - and this time it didn't dry up.

We packed up our things and tidied the hostel ready to leave. We'd decided on a woodland walk sheltered from the wind, but when we got there the rain was falling heavily and many women decided to start their journeys home.

6 of us, however, headed off into the glorious autumn colour for a short walk (sorry, I left my camera behind). It felt good to have gone out, and the autumn colour on the walk and as we drove home was magnificent.

So ended this year's bonfire w/e - the first without an actual bonfire. But it hadn't mattered!