Friday 17 July 2015

A Breath of Fresh Air









The pollen count has been really high the last few weeks leading to streaming nose and eyes and a head full of cotton wool.  Even being indoors doesn't seem to help.

However there is one place that I am lucky enough to be able to escape to and ease my suffering.  After work we head to the coast, just sea and sand and I can breath!  Come for a walk along the shore with me and dip your toes in the cool water.






















Joining with Amy for  Five on Friday here's five things I love about the beach:



1.  The air and light are different by the sea, I don't know what it is but you just feel better at the beach, breathing in all the salty fresh air, watching the sun reflect off the sea makes everything look magical.    It lifts your spirits and makes everything feel better.  Artists talk of the special light in places like St Ives and many make their homes there, I can understand why.

2.  The beautiful sand we have in Cornwall, I couldn't cope with a beach of stones, it has to be golden, fine sand for me.  Cornish cars and homes are full of sand, you can never quite brush it off after a visit to the beach.

3.  Picnics and bbq's on the beach, sandy sandwiches and orange squash in plastic cups are such a huge part of mine and my childrens' memories.  You don't have to spend a fortune at the beach, just treat yourself to an ice-cream and take everything else with you.  As it gets dark the smell of sizzling sausages, childrens laughter, a flickering campfire and someone strumming a guitar drifts across the beach.  The sounds of the waves crashing on the beach in the dark, as you pack up the picnic bags and make your way back up the cliffs.

4.  Rock pools, a little ecosystem of seaweeds, tiny fishes, and crabs revealed to us for a few precious  hours before the sea returns to cover them.  

5.  Swimming in the sea, there's nothing like it. Getting up your nerve to immerse yourself in the cold cold water, jumping over the waves, daring each other to go first, counting to 3 and ducking under together, screaming as the cold takes your breath away.  The taste of your salty skin and seaweedy hair.  I haven't done this for years, it is on my 60 x 60 list, what is stopping me?



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I really enjoyed a t.v. programme about Toni Morrison the other evening.  What an amazing woman.  The first book of hers that I read was Beloved, it still has the power to shock and move me.  You can catch the programme on BBC iplayer.  I really need to find the time to read more of her books.   Do you have a favourite Toni Morrison book? 


I hope you have all had a good week.

Chickpea xx

34 comments:

  1. Such lovely photos, how wonderful to live so close to the sea. I love crunchy beaches in winter when you can stroll along in boots, wrapped up warm against the wind but I love sandy beaches in summer when you can wiggle your toes in it and feel the warmth. The light is always very special by the sea:)

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  2. I absolutely love being by the see but am frightened of being on it. How wonderful to live so close. Beautiful photos as ever! Glad you have managed such a beautiful relaxing walk - good for the soul and the health :)

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  3. What a wonderful place to live! I hope to return for a visit to the UK in 2017, and Cornwall is right at the top of my list of places to see. Your pictures are beautiful.

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    1. The coastal walk around Cornwall is beautiful Kristie x

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  4. Dont we live in a beautiful country... Lovely pictures.

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  5. What stunning photos, I feel as if I was there with you, Chickpea, breathing that wonderful Cornish air. Thank you for sharing your day with us!
    Sue X

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  6. Beautiful, you certainly live in a scenic area. I too had a stroll along the beach this week and enjoyed the wonderful sea air, there is nothing like it. Have a great weekend.

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  7. Walking and picnicking on the beach are a couple of my favourite things to do.

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  8. I just needed that mooch along the beach, how lucky you are. Have a good weekend :-)

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  9. There really is no where else like the beach is there! It was great to take five minutes to enjoy it with you! Thank you so much as always for joining in. I hope that you have a great weekend! xx

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  10. To think that I will be getting a glimpse of your Cornish beaches tomorrow makes me smile. I am more of a pebble beach person but the kids just love love love the sand. Happy Friday. x

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  11. Looks like you had a wonderful time. You posted such lovely photos. I would love to go to Cornwall one day. My best to you :)

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  12. Stunning - I can almost breathe the sea air. :) Have a great weekend. x

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  13. Where were your photos taken? It's only a few weeks now until we return to Portscatho and our usual place on the Trewince camping site. We're looking forward to meeting up with old friends from Heidelburg and Kendal, stone circle hunting and barbecues on Towan beach. We always have a concert on the Wednesday evenings as our German friends specialise in medieval instruments. Their eldest son is a percussionist, currently interning with one of the leading German orchestras. If you are free would love to see you and your samba drum! Hope I can polish up some poetry or a song whilst recovering from tomorrow's keyhole surgery.

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    1. Perranporth Sarah. Sounds like a really interesting holiday, hope the surgery goes well.

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  14. I know exactly what you mean, I live by the coast and have spent lots of time there recently to ease my hay fever too. Beautiful pictures, I love Cornwall so much xx

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  15. oh, what exquisite photos...*sigh* .... i'm all heartsick for the ocean now. my favourite part of your photos is that the beach isn't crawling with sunbathers.....;) it looks so expansive...unlike the sunny beaches where you can't get moved.

    and what brilliant memories to have....*more sighs*

    xo

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  16. What an incredibly beautiful beach! Gorgeous photos! I can almost smell the salt air and hear the surf. Your List of Five were great, bringing back memories of your earlier years, and memories newly made. Lovely post!

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  17. Great pictures, very atmospheric.

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  18. Wonderful photos.
    Love the mussels, shells and the great tattoo.
    I miss swimming in the ocean. The Pacific not your really cold cold cold one.
    When I was younger and could walk I used to body surf. Miss the ocean so much.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Thank you parsnip, that is my aboriginal iguana from my trip to Australia to see my cousins.

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  19. oh how I miss the cornish coast thanks for sharing your lovely pics, counting down the days till we hit bedruthan for a few nights in the van. x

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  20. Amazing images!!! In my opinion there is nothing better than a beach and walking/wading along the shoreline with your toes in the sand, and wonderful, fresh salty air!!!

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  21. Yes I can relate to all of that, beautiful pictures wish I was there, have a great weekend. :)

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  22. Looks like a good place to get a Wil E Coyote rock on the head, under that crumbling arch (at New Moon)..

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  23. You've summed up everything I love about the beach. Just wish I lived nearer!

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  24. I recognised Perranporth in your beautiful photos - how lucky you are to live near the sea! You're right, the light is completely different there and life seems to be put into perspective by the sea. We're hoping to make it down to Cornwall again this summer as we missed it last year. Enjoy your week :)
    Cathy x

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  25. I always wonder if those who live within earshot of the sea are less likely to suffer with stress and high blood pressure ... the sound of the waves as they roll in and out is like a mother's heartbeat heard from the womb.

    Beautiful images :o)

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  26. Great images!!!
    Greetings from me at the Norwegian coast.

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