The first of many

An extra hour of sunlight this evening seemed the perfect excuse for a beach barbecue, and this gorgeous weather is just asking to be enjoyed! We’ve spent the last few days out in the fresh air, riding round Briddlesford and walking up Appuldurcombe.

This has been the first weekend of the year that we have ended with a barbecue at the ‘secret beach’ (which is made no less secret by all the locals calling it this.) With delicious food, cold beer, and warm sea air, this feels a good start to British Summer Time.

The sea, the sea

I’m not sure I could ever move inland. There’s something about being able to see the edge of the land, and the big blue expanse beyond that is somehow settling. In the past, when I lived amongst the hills, or in the city, I would catch myself wondering what was beyond the horizon, like I hadn’t quite made it.

I’ve never got tired of turning round the corner on my journey home to see the sea stretch beyond. Whether it be an evening ride along the sea front, or a weekend walk on the clifftops; whichever part of the coast, and whatever the activity, I just love living by the sea!

Sunday discovery

One pleasure in living on this beautiful Island is knowing almost every road. We can set off on our bikes and simply make up the route as we go, knowing almost every tiny country lane across this corner of England. But, occasionally we discover a little pocket of the place that is brand new to us, and we marvel that it has remained hidden from us for so long. Today we set off on foot along the coastal path from Yarmouth to Newtown; a perfect amble through woodland and meadows before reaching the top of a hill to breathtaking (and brand new!) views of Newtown creek, the New Forest, and the Downs. Autumn has truly fallen, and I am loving every windy, bonfire-infused minute of it.