Thulani in Dorset

Thulani has arrived to stay with us, the Danby family. We are Karen (mum) Alastair (dad) Sophie (eldest daughter) Rufus (eldest son) Joe (10yrs) and Mimi (4yrs).

We live in Chetnole a little rural village in the county of Dorset in the south of England. At the heart of the village is our Church, village hall and the Chetnole Inn not forgetting the Playing field.

Dad Alastair works in the nearby town of Sherborne (which is about 7 miles away) and the children go to school there too. Eldest daughter Sophie works in the village next to us called Leigh, in a care home for the elderly, although she will be heading off to Leeds university in September to start her medical degree.

St Peters church Chetnole:

The 15th century tower is the location of some interesting gargoyles. One depicts a huge demon with heads where its eyes should be. Another of the gargoyles appears to be straining in a somewhat constipated manor. The nave and the north aisle dates from the 13th century and the chancel from about 1860.

The Village Hall is a small hall which is utilized for many meetings, clubs and keep fit activities. Every Wednesday morning a coffee morning is held and some local produce is on sale along with the availability of post office facilities. A traveling Library van visits Chetnole too!

We do not have a train station as most people would imagine but we have what is called a halt, which means that if we want to catch a passing train we have to flag it down like you would a taxi!! The children love this, as in the summer we occasionally take the train to Weymouth beach for the day, returning after a fish and chip supper on the seafront. We also occasionally take the train to Bath(famous for its Roman Baths) for shopping, rugby watching and visiting our friends. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chetnole_railway_station

We love to go to the Chetnole Inn for lunch or supper as the food is delicious and Mimi likes to visit the giant rabbit that lives in their garden. http://www.thechetnoleinn.co.uk She also likes to go to the playing field to have fun on the swings and slide before heading home to Neals Lane in Chetnole.