my photo

sea and boulders in high contrast ...

I came across this quote, and thought it would sit nicely alongside this photo, taken on Lancing beach this summer.

The loneliness you get by the sea is personal and alive - it doesn't subdue you and make you feel abject - it's stimulating loneliness: Anna Morrow Lindbergh.

Can you imagine yourself sitting alone on this rock?

When the tide is on its way out, of course!

o

my photo

it was an ...

itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka dot bikini ...

Wasn't I so the cutting edge of fashion, wearing blue polka dot bottoms!

I could do with them today, not forgetting the top half!

It's a scorcher!

This is me and my 'big bro' down on the coast, back in the late sixties/early seventies?

Click on the photo above, to hear a crackly old recording of this classic tune on You Tube.

o

my photos

sun, sea and sculpture ...

Thank goodness the local council has finally seen sense, and re-opened the stretch of cycle path which runs between the Pavilion Theatre and George V Avenue.

We've both had time off work this week. Today we spent a couple of hours out and about on the bikes.


o
The Eco-Garden Beach.
o










o

my photos

sneaking seafront snaps and twiggypeasticks ...

On my way to work this morning I had a bit of spare time, so I snuck behind some beach huts to take the photo above. It's looking East into the sun along Lancing Beach.



I am very, very long overdue in thanking my good bloggy friend Sarah aka Twiggy, from The World of Twiggypeasticks for thinking of me when she was dishing out the above award. It's always nice to hear from you Twiggy.

Along with the award came a question, to name five things you enjoy doing. There's lots and lots of things, but I'm going to relate my answers to how great it is to live along the coast.

I enjoy cycling to work along the coastal path.
I enjoy picking up pebbles and shells with holes in and when I can find it, driftwood.
I enjoy eating fish bought from the local fishermen.
I enjoy eating Mr Whippies from the seafront cafe.
I even enjoy collecting seaweed, for my compost heap!



Twiggy also passed on this lovely Sunshine Award to me!



And talking of sunshine, today we were swathed in yet more of the glorious stuff. Even at 8.00 o'clock this morning it was shaping up to be a lovely day. The month of April this year really has been truly amazing.
O

O
And just to top it all, Twiggys only gone and sent me another one!
O
If you like, accept these three awards from me to you, and if you've the time let us know five things you enjoy doing?

O

my photos

an eco garden ...

A squally weather front has been moving east.



On Sunday we took a walk along the promenade in Worthing.



Where the promenade comes to an end on the western side of the pier, is an eco-garden set up to encourage the conservation of water.

An area on shingle beach, with wooden sculptures and seashore plants. Plants which thrive on water from rainfall alone.



A waxy coating to the leaves of plants will help to reduce water loss.



The sculptures would look really good in our garden, in any garden.



Like me, you may have an area in your garden which in summer turns to desert. It makes ecological sense to enhance the naturally dry, sun-baked conditions instead of constantly trying to alter it.

o

There is still colour to be seen amongst the pebbles, even in November.

o

Many plants in a seashore garden will naturally self-seed which adds to an uncontrived effect.

o

o

A useful idea or two can be taken away of how to create a water-saving garden of your own.

o

my photos

sea escapes ...

When your feeling low, take the doctor's orders and pay the beach a visit, or give the closest to you a hug. I love the postcard above, it's my favourite from the little collection of Mabel Lucie Attwell postcards I've put together over the years. Posted in Eastbourne in 1925 from Lil to Nellie, the message reads Everybody's Loved by Someone.



I'd love to see that cute mermaid sitting on our local rocks, and the golly!



Another one from the collection, the message being The Song of the Sea. When your feeling low, drag your best ragdoll through the sand! This card is really lovely, with lots of fairies floating through the air. Posted in Cambridge in 1921, from Mother to Jean.



This photo has all the elements of why we love our coast. Blue sky, blue sea, a sailboat, seagulls, sand, seaweed, groynes and rocks. I just wish I could have got a stick of rock and a donkey in the photo too!



The message reads SOS!

o

my photos

coastal ways ...

Today we cycled to Brighton. On the way back we stopped to take in the views and to mop up the lovely sunshine.



Houseboats sitting on mud flats, on the River Adur at Shoreham.



Yachts taking advantage of excellent sailing water along this stretch of coastline at Lancing.



Sea thrift on the shingle beach.

y