If I could bottle and sell this walk, the sense of calm that I feel as I emerge from the wooded valley onto the beach, the sound of the birdsong, clearer and richer than I've ever heard before giving way to the hush and rush of the waves, I'd be a wealthy woman.
The tide is quite high on this, the day of our final fling on our favourite beach until the Autumn. Alone, but not lonely.
We walk as far as we can, the dog chasing ahead to make sure there are no seagulls in need of a good talking to, before returning to remind me that it's high time I started throwing stones into the sea.
We turn and head back, and I marvel at the fact that we are the only ones who have seen the beach exactly as it is, in this moment. The pattern the waves leave on the shore, the configuration of the shells, pebbles, seaweed and other debris that marks the tideline.
Already the sea is washing away our footprints, imperceptibly shifting stones, reshaping sand. By the time the next visitors arrive, certainly by Autumn, it will be a different beach - although hopefully the same.
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| Going... |
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| Going... |
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| Gone. |
Roll on October.
What a wonderful walk - how sad to have to say good bye until October!
ReplyDeletemary
Thanks Mary - I'm sure I'll go back without Fred during the summer, but it's become our favourite walk in the short time we've lived here, and it will feel strange without him!
DeleteA bittersweet walk. I miss being near the sea!
ReplyDeleteIndeed - I'm loving being there!
DeleteWe have a ruling on our beaches between particular stretches that no dogs are allowed from May to end of September. I understand the ruling do feel sorry for dog walkers and their dogs when I see just how much fun they get from it when I see them on my morning walk/run. Elinor x
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I understand why they have the ruling - there are a number of reasons all valid, and it's not all the beaches, but this is our favourite one, and there are no dogs allowed on any part of it May - September :-(
Deletesuch a shame, though do understand it - not all dog walkers are going to be as responsible as you. Looks like a beautiful beach (any good shells?) - do so envy you being by the sea!
ReplyDeleteActually not many shells on the beaches round here - mainly mussels and limpets, old crabs, scallops but not lots and lots - the beaches ar emainly sand and pebbles - most of which I end up throwing back in the sea for the dog to chase. I understand why they ban them too - not just for the mess, but because no one wants to be harassed by a dog on the beach - and there are some other beaches I can take him on, but this is just about the perfect beach as far as I'm concerned - I love it, and because of the woods first, it's a great walk for the dog. Sigh. Roll on October
DeleteAh, what a beautiful post RJ. Poor Fred, he'd be a credit to any beach I reckon
ReplyDeleteHmm - you are too kind to Fred - I have to admit that he is a bit of a looper on the beach. But I do clear up after him, and he only wants to chase the seagulls, not savage small children...
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