Moments of Calm Sea Air and Fish finger Sandwiches

I usually write these posts on a Sunday, although actually I realise I haven’t actually written one  in over a month.  Perhaps it’s a reflection on a busy few weeks.  A recent joy for me has been the beautiful autumnal weather we have been having.  I don’t look forward to summer ending, but getting up to the glorious sunrises and enjoying mostly mild October temperatures has made summers ending and autumn’s arrival much easier.

In fact as I sit at my desk this morning, the remnants of today’s sunrise can still be see in fiery orange streaks painted across the early morning sky.

Sea Air and Fish finger Sandwiches

I have written before about the restorative energy I feel from being by the sea.  I am always instantly calmed by the rolling of the waves, and the lap against the shore.  The mesmerising toing and froing as the water repeatedly washes in and out gives a particular kind of calm.  As with so much of nature there is a reliability in the sea, it’s always there, doing the same thing.  Sometimes it rages and throws itself around in fury, at others it is gentle and beckoning, tempting us to dip our toes or be brave and go deeper.

Every so often I have a craving to be by the sea, to walk along the beach, to taste the salt on my lips and feel the breeze tangling my hair.  When this craving comes, it cannot be ignored for long.

This weekend we were up early and on the road to West Wittering in West Sussex.  It’s almost a couple of hours from where we live in London and we had never been before.  Despite leaving in rain, we arrived in glorious autumnal sunshine which stayed with us for the day.

It was an exceptional October day with temperatures much warmer than expected.   An out of season trip to the sea always feels particularly special.  It is less crowded and there is more space to walk and breathe.  Braver souls than us swam in the sea.  We walked along the waters edge, and around the headland.  Dogs (not ours) bounded past and beside us, and we nodded to other walkers stripped down to t-shirts silently congratulating ourselves and each other on our wise decision to  leave the house today!

Sitting on the beach with fish finger sandwiches, an unseasonable glass of Pimms and lemonade and a book to read was an absolute treat.  A complete change from the norm and the working week, and a good  and happy way to recharge the batteries.  We left feeling calmer, mentally restored and thankful for such an unexpectedly beautiful day.

Wishing you all a gentle week.