Living in a seaside town means I often wake up to the sound of seagulls.  I love that instant salt air feel.  It reminds me of childhood summer holidays in Cornwall and those cheeky St Ives birds that always try to pinch your chips.

On a still sunny morning their sound carries from the harbour, so different from the song birds in the garden.

Of course, Tom would remind me that there’s no such thing as a ‘seagull’, just many different types of ‘gulls’.  In fact, so many different types that they’re hard to name.  I think we have black-headed and herring, and glaucous gulls in Cowes but I couldn’t say for sure.  I find it’s useful to know a few names to bandy about confidently, even if you have no real idea..

You only have to read The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch to know that a gull’s character is a pretty entertaining thing.  From their perch on the seafront they’ll give me a wary eye, trying to look unfazed, but hopping from one foot to the other as I approach.

Their presence is a part of our town’s character, and I love being reminded of it in the morning; a small second of holiday charm at the beginning of a working day.