In other cyber-worlds I call myself Lamorna. There’s a reason. In another life my late husband and I had a ‘Special Place’ in Mounts Bay, Cornwall, called Lamorna Cove. The fishing villages of Penzance, Newlyn and Mousehole and Lamorna Cove, were colonised in the 19th. Century by artists who painted in the ‘Open Air’ scandalising people with their Bohemian way of life. Since my life changed dramatically in 1991 when he died, I have never been back to that ‘Special Place’ as I prefer to keep the memories in a private compartment in my mind.

West Bay is a small resort set between the cliffs of Lyme Regis to the West and the ancient Roman Town of Dorchester to the East, with the town of Bridport, one mile inland. The West Bay Harbour was built in 1722. Ship building in the River Brit dates from the days of Alfred the Great in the 9th. Century. The Schooner ‘Speedy’ was built there in 1853 to compete with the American Clippers.

Explaining Fossil hunting to a young child, seeing the wonder and disbelief growing on their faces as you tell them what you are searching for amongst the rocks. Marvel at the thrill of their expressions when they find their first Ammonite. Their fresh, vivid imaginations are already in the World of the Dinosaurs. Pure magic for an adult to see and feel it again through young eyes, and remember how we felt at the same age on such a journey of discovery. Study the cliff and rock formations. Research some of the excellent websites concerning fossils in this area. They make good reading.

You are in a natural Theme Park.

Walk along the old pier and look in the buckets by the side of the families fishing off the side. Crabs, fish, old boots, but aren’t they loving it? Stand aghast at the foolhardy bravery of the youngsters who ignore the warnings of Danger by the Authorities, and leap regardless, over the side of the pier into the deep, dark dangerous seas. Proper controlled diving is a popular sport by many local people as a hobby, and they will sell you live scallops, lobsters, mackerel, plaice just out of the sea. You may even be tempted to try a supervised dive yourself. Catch your own supper..?

Have a pint in any one of them, and Billy Bragg could be in the Bar, the writer and author Dave Martin, who co-wrote Dr. Who, and invented K9. P J Harvey’s often seen with her family, and of course our own Hugh Fearnly Whittingstone, famous for the River Cottage series on Channel 4.

West Bay used to have a railway station, long since closed down, but the small Victorian Station Building has been renovated and houses the Tourist Advisory Board, complete with the actual train that used to take people to West Bay for their annual holidays. Take a look inside the coaches and ponder how much improved the railways are, or aren’t, as the case may be! Put West Bay Railway Station into a good search engine, and the West Bay Station website will come up. A consortium of inventors and businessmen are getting the funds and grants together in an attempt to rebuild the line, and restore the charms of a century ago. It’s an interesting, informative website,

In August so much happens in West Bay. The Fairground settles in for the month, the Melplash Agricultural Show occupies a field or several for the day, where a family can buy a day ticket and see country attractions, from little fluffy bunnies to massive prize bulls. The Carnival, with floats lovingly created by the Round Table, the Play Groups, the Pubs and local businesses. Tremendous fun!