I had a great time over the weekend of June 20/21 and really cemented why we love living in Southbourne so much.

Besides the fact that it is so close to the road links and rail links to get out of Bournemouth, it is also a great location where prices still represent good value albeit in the right places, but I get the feeling that it is going to shoot up and have its own boom time very soon. The TV programme Location, Location, Location" may have something to do with it but we knew all along...

It all started off on the Friday night at my fave place, The Larder House, as it usually does. A couple of drinks in the courtyard to begin, now that the weather is being nice to us, and then into the main restaurant for dinner.

I've had the scallops before and I had them again. In fact, all four of us had the scallops although one peson went large and had them as the main course. No complaints whatsoever. Very sweet and cooke to perfection and surprisingly very filling as it came with cous-cous, lots of crispy fried crayfish and a lovely sauce. For my main I had the config duck leg salad what with all that rich meat and large croutons meant I was close to bursting afterwards.

That weekend was the Shake and Stir Festival, so I planned to get a few things done before meeting up with friends in the afternoon. Things started off with a basket of golf balls down Solent Meads driving range. This place is excellent value for the range and 18 holes. I particularly like the driving range as it has a great view over Christchurch and the Priory, and it never gets busy especially on an early evening after work.

This same weekend also had the Bournemouth Food Festival underway, but I didn't have time to pop into town so went to the Shelley Theatre building as there was a small event there. First time I have ever been and had heard good things in what they are trying to do as part of the ongoing refurbishments. I got to see the section that they are using as a theatre with the banked seating and stage area.

As far as the food and drink festival they had a selection of stalls mainly showcasing local produce and suppliers. I needed a top up on my Dorsetshire sauce to make my Bloody Marys so got three bottles at the From Dorset With Love stall. Actually, it was two bottles of the Dorsetshire sauce and one of their raspberry basalmic vinegar. I also got a Scotch egg and black pudding sausage roll from the Wobbly Cottage stall. Finally, I couldn't leave without getting a few bottle from the Southbourne Ales stand. Come on, we do live in Southbourne!

Unfortunately it started to rain quite heavily so I sat in my car wondering what it was like for the people already out in Fisherman's Walk where there was live acts as part of the festival. Angela was still at work so I headed home to drop off the spoils of my little shopping expedition.

Once the rain settled I thought I would head on up to the Larder House for a quick lunch and wait for Angela. There were another couple of friends that said they would visit and see what was going on, so I wanted to have a snack beforehand. Lunch was the baked eggs with the added option of chorizo sausage.

Before long, the other two joined me, then Angela, then a couple and their baby, then her parents, and then another couple we know and their 3 kids. It started off with me going solo for lunch and ended up as a big entourage and having to go out into the courtyard. Now that was an enjoyable few hours passing the time away.

We did make it up to Fisherman's Walk and caught a few acts over a couple of beers.

We ventured towards Pokesdown and had dinner at Da Maria for some Italian home cooking.

Later that night we called into Ludo Lounge where they had a live band playing rock and roll. There was a vintage car outside and all ages were their and many of the older ones had they 50's style vintage wear on as well. It was lovely to see and the dancing was great. I was really pleased that such a wide range of the residents came out with many that wouldn't normally be out late on a Saturday night making the effort.

I took my friend across the road to try and sneak a quick beer at the Wight Bear as he had never been, but to my surprise it was shut, and it wasn't even 11pm. They deserved a rest seeing as they've been rushed off their feat since they opened. A great success for them so far.

A slow start to the Sunday, for obvious reasons but we made it back out to the live music going on in Fisherman's Walk. Me and Angela did finish off the weekend with a trip via the Wight Bear and then an early night!

Although this year's event was a bit slimmed down and didn't have anything going on over by Cafe Riva, I think it was a bit more focused on the one place and brought the action back closer to the Grove. The live music in Ludo Lounge was a great idea. There was live music in other places such as the Grove Tavern as well. The weather could have been a bit better but overall the event was a success.

One thing I will say is that this event was free and open to all. I know other music festival events in Christchurch and Lower Parkstone do charge for entrance, so we are lucky here in Southbourne and I am sure if the residents knew that they are other ways to support the event through online donations and putting a few coins in the collection buckets, then I think the good people would dig into their pockets and give a little.

This weekend just shows why I love living here, in Southbourne.