It's been a busy few weeks but I've managed to turn a big dream into a wonderful reality and I've also found the perfect place for a honeymoon - especially if you like vintage cars and antiques.

Regular readers will know of my summer quest to find the original River Cottage during a holiday in Dorset. Having found the country estate it was a crushing blow to discover that we'd missed their annual open day by 2 weeks. However I decided to risk a cheeky letter to the owners, who responded warmly, and the result was an invitation by the current tenants to go for a guided tour. Whoo Hoo!

Simon and Debbie moved into the smallholding made famous by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall just a few months ago and are busy making fabulous poultry houses. Their website is not organised yet but you can find their contact details at www.roosterbrand.com/ Simon is also an aerial photographer.

These two made us so welcome and insisted on spending ages showing us around the estate - pointing out the places where Hugh kept his pigs etc. They also took us round the house. I even spent a penny on Hugh's loo (if that's not too much information). It's a gorgeous location and it was a big treat for me and another thing ticked off my 'Bucket List'! Debbie's brother lives near Manchester so hopefully we can repay their hospitality at some stage, though we can't boast celebrity status at Chez Harney...

That Dorset weekend was made complete by staying at The Old Forge in Compton Abbas where we slept in the most comfortable bed in the world and (again) got an enthusiastic guided tour around the old Smithy and Forge which Tim & Lucy Kerridge have turned into fabulous cottages - perfect for honeymooners. They've also done up a Gypsy Caravan in the meadow and are now working on a shepherd's hut. http://www.theoldforgedorset.co.uk/

The food was superb and all locally sourced, and includes home made apple juice and preserves, the main house was warm and cosy and the whole place was stashed with country fair style antiques, with the piece de resistance being a restored Lagonda sports car.

The family pets are kept tactfully out of the way but those who want to can meet the dogs, horses and Scrumpy Jack the donkey. Tim & Lucy recognised fellow Morris Minor enthusiasts (they once owned a 1929 version) and we left there feeling that we'd made new friends and will definitely go there again.

We came back refreshed and inspired - this self-sufficiency thing is a very attractive way of life. Must go and press some apples, get my November planting done and give my own beloved Morris Minor Traveller a coat of varnish. If it will stop raining long enough.