Monday 30 June 2008

Seaside Sunday



M went to visit his father yesterday who's been poorly recently. The girls and I decided to spend the afternoon on the beach. We drove along the coast, away from the city, out and over the Downs. We turned the car radio on to FIP and imagined we were on holiday. Not such a hard thing to do with the sun shining, the sea glistening in the sun on one side and the green hills and hedgerows of the Downs on the other. Little Sister said that it felt like summer, she wasn't wrong.



Ten minutes later we were sitting on a near deserted beach, listening to the waves lapping against the rocks and eating our sandwiches. I do know how lucky we are to live where we do, the coast and the countryside literally on our doorstep. Fortunately my daughters appreciate it too. Big Sister said to me yesterday that if we ever had to move away she would miss the sea so much. Not that we are always down on the beach, in fact in Summer we rarely go the main beach, preferring the grey somewhat desolate winter months to walk between the piers. We tend to pack a picnic and drive out for our days by the sea.



I'm glad they appreciate the beauty of the sea, how calming and relaxing it can be. How you can just literally lose yourself staring out onto the horizon watching a boat sailing past, when the sun shines you could be anywhere. When I was little days out by the sea seemed to involve days of planning. We would always go with various Aunts , Uncles and cousins. We always had egg sandwiches and we were always stuck in endless traffic jams. It being England we would check regularly to see what the cows were up to every time we past a field. Cows lying down were always such a bad sign - and they invariably were!!! Whatever the weather though we always had such fun.



I remember reading my daughters this story by Shirley Hughes. I loved it and they loved it. It seemed to capture all the excitement and magic of going to the seaside and I seem to remember that a lot of time was spent preparing the food to take as well - I have such vivid memories of the food being packed for our seaside days out when I was little, eggs being boiled, oranges chopped and cakes being made. What a lot of packing was involved ...



It was a lazy affair for us yesterday, some sandwiches, fruit, cookies and crisps which resulted in a very heated debate and a lot of reminiscing over favourite crisp flavours!



We took our books, the girls paddled, held hands (a rare occurrence these days) and discovered that they do enjoy each other's company despite the age gap.



Little Sister brought her drawing book, I remember never sitting on the beach without mine either when I was little. Big Sister was determined to soak up the rays and most of all we chatted. Sitting by the sea it does feel that time stands still, there is time to chat, to laugh and play. Us three girls like Russian Dolls (I am no longer the tallest!) spending time together, making memories of a Sunday afternoon. I realised on the drive home how wonderful our blogs are to record these kind of days, to capture days together when, deep down as a parent, you know it won't be long before your children stop wanting to share sunny Sunday afternoons with you. I hope they remember their days by the sea as fondly as I do my hazy childhood memories. Of course, just like when I was little, we bought 99s on the way home, our noses were pink (you were right Mrs Custard), our clothes smelt of the sea and our bags seemed to take forever to unpack.

47 comments:

Tracy said...

Ah, a delicious outing...nothing like a summer day at the seaside! Hope very much M's father will be feeling better soon! We're off to London tomorrow evening--can't wait! I look forward to catching up with you once we get back from our week's holiday. I plan on at least one very photo-heavy post while away--LOL! Happy Summer Days to you all ((HUGS))

Emma Herian said...

Oh bliss, we should have done that but W was on a beaver cool dude day. Maybe next weekend, we might even do a spot of camping!
Hope M's father isnt too ill.
Spk soon
Emx

Simone said...

Thank you for sharing your day at the beach. I have not been to a British Beach for such a long time. Many years ago I took a day off work with a colleague and we caught a train to Brighton. It was like skipping school! It was so nice just to relax and throw pebbles into the water.

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Reading this has been such a tonic.. I can smell that salty air from here and feel the sun tingling on my skin..
I am sure the little (or not so) Ragged Roses will remember these days with such fondness and clarity as you do of your days by the sea and I certainly remember the sand between my toes and the eggy sandwiches of my youth! The anticipation of a cornish clotted cream '99' on the way home and the unfortunate blob of tar joining me on my shoes.. inevitably!
Beautiful memories.. brought home by your sunshine filled day by the wonderful briny sea..
Dxx

Anonymous said...

What lovely words and pictures. I agree - I blog to document my children - I just dont seem to have the same attitude to writing it all down in pen and printing off photos.
Emma reads my blog and she didnt comment on the patch of sand that was on the beach. I blogged yesterday about the beach but had to photo the bits where the seaweed wasnt. I bet you went east rather than west from Brighton. I am in Worthing and the beach is yuk at the moment! We always take paints and pens down with us. I am going to sort out a bag each for my three children so they can just pick up their own bag of doing things where ever we go. Like you I think the packing and unpacking seems to go on forever!

French Knots said...

Mmm I can hear the waves from here, I would LOVE to live near the sea I find it so restorative and mood enhancing. Though after another grey and damp weekend I'd settle for a glimpse of sunshine!

driftwood said...

what a lovely day out, and a wonderful post, you've captured the feelings of it perfectly.

Connie said...

I love the Pacific west coast and the beaches! That looks like a wonderful day and your photos were great, my sweet rose!!
Smoochies,
Connie

Ali said...

What a wonderful post and a lovely day. It's good to capture.

Les Cotrions said...

Lovely blog! So relaxing and charming atmospheres!
Greetings from Italy!
Vale

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Sounds like a heavenly outing with your girls! Our beaches look so similar... ours here in New England are very rocky and stoney (whereas further down south they have all soft sandy beaches). We only go to the beach in late afternoon, when all the daily beachgoers start to leave for their supper. Then it's nice and quiet for us. =) Our youngest daughters share similar birthdays I think - mine will turn 8 on July 6th. =)

Paper Roses said...

How lovely to spend the day enjoying each others company, my children are 23 21 and 19 now and your right the time comes when they do their own thing,
Debbie.

Betty said...

What a wonderful, wonderful day! I need one of those days soon.

Country Cottage Chic said...

How lovely! It rained here yesterday so no nice outings for us.

Sal said...

What a fun time was had by all..including us who have read it!
I felt I was there with you ;-)

periwinkle said...

Hope M's father feels better soon, sounds like you had a lovely day at the beach. I know what you mean about living on the coast but not taking enough advantage of it! 99's yum
lisa x

dottycookie said...

I haveto say, the coast down where you are is very special indeed. To be between the Downs and the seaside ... the only thing that stops me packing up and moving down to be closer to my family is the traffic, and the parking - which reminds me in places of South London where I grew up!

Garden Girl said...

What a lovely day of girlie fun and memories made for all of you. There is something about the sea that evokes fond memeories for me as well. Winter days wrapped up with wellies on,tramping along hand in hand with Rob in St Ives, getting home and having salt-tangled hair. Thanks for reminding me. I can almost smell it.x

Berber said...

Oh you make me so nostalgic for Brighton ( and Worthing) beach! It was a little too busy at times, but the fun I had there... *sigh*
Thank you for bring up good memories :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds a lovely day...I really like your seaside photos...almost as good as the real thing.
Margaret and Noreen

Twiggy said...

Just lovely, glad you had such a memorable day.
Twiggy x

Stacy @ The Next-to-Nothing House said...

I just adore your blog....I've left an award for you over on mine. Best wishes!

{oc cottage} said...

Oreos on the beach! What couls be better!


m ^..^

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, so relaxing...

Louise said...

Your days out with the family at the beach sound so romantic Kim. Mine usually consist of a quick splash, collecting up a few pebbles and shells for the garden, and filling up a carrier bag with seaweed for the compost heap! x

Naturegirl said...

A beautiful day at the beach for you making these lasting memories with your girls!We live near a lake and I love to go down when I need a Zen moment.Listening to the water and the shore birds are so calming!
Wonderful photos!

Pondside said...

A perfect summer day - although I now what you mean about enjoying the beach on the grey days of winter - it's actually my favorite time.
How lovely for you to watch your girls enjoy the day, and to see reflected in them, the child that you were. Enjoy!

Lucy Bloom said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely day Kim, you're so lucky to have the sea on your doorstep!
Lucy x

Rowan said...

You are so right about using our blogs to record the everyday happenings in our lives that we enjoy so much at the time but forget the details of as time goes by. I read old posts on my own blog and find I've forgotten many of the things I'd written about but reading about it again brings it all flooding back.
It's true that as children get older they no longer want to spend time doing things with parents - but then they get older still and discover that actually you are really pretty good company after all:)

OhSoVintage said...

You can't beat a day at the seaside and it always evokes childhood memories. We, too, were on the beach on Sunday, a little further along the coast.
Ruth x

meggie said...

Always enjoy the sea, even on blustery days. That salty smell is so fresh.

This Vintage Life... said...

How lovely - simple pleasures. I live very near the sea too but don't visit as much as I perhaps should. You've made me want to run off there now!

mollycupcakes said...

Your girls will have the best memories of that day. Just Mummy time is good for them as is just Daddy days.
And I always think a day at the beach is just priceless.
Beautiful photos Kim.
Many hugs.

Catherine x

Thimbleanna said...

Ahhh, Ms. Kim. It looks like the perfect day. And throw in Oreos -- who knew LOL??? I hope you have many more perfect days like this before the season is over this year. And sorry to ask, but what are 99s???

Wayfaring Wanderer said...

What a beautiful day! Thank you for sharing.....I miss the sea sometimes....

julia said...

Another truly delicious post. Pop over, I've passed and award onto you.
Julia x

Jessica said...

It looks like a lovely trip to the shore- Its one of my favorite things to do!

Carol said...

What a lovely story Kim. I love those sort of days and remember so many just like you discribe...your little girls will still love to share Sundays like this one forever! my two still do. I love this coastline so much...long long days on the sussex coast then going home in the hot car feeling all dry skinned and smelling of the sea as you say! I spent Tuesday with my girls and Jude on Tankerton beach - very similar - chose this beach as Mr N was on call and the rush home would be quicker! it was so wonderful, so peaceful...and he did not get called home, thankfully!
A lovely tale to remember.
Carol xxx

Jennie said...

what a lovely post! I can't wait to spend some time with my daughter this summer holidays on the beach.
I love Shirley Hughes books!

Heidi said...

Little Sister is quite an artist. Your day at the beach sounds lots of fun. We also say that it will rain if the cows are lying down. It was something my grandmother passed on to us. Is M father okay? I hope so.

Hugs ~
Heidi

Attic Clutter said...

Oh the sea is lovely ..hope you dad is better ..hugs Patty

JuicyFig said...

how utterley wonderful! sigh.....

Kath
x

Heidi said...

Happy Friday to you Kim, Thanks so much for always leaving me a little comment...I just love it!...I read your blog a couple days ago, meant to comment & then I got pulled away from the computer?...It was just the most "heartfelt account" of a sweet seaside day with your girls!... How old are your daughters? The photo of them holding hands, you must enlarge, copy into black & white...add a white or pale pink matting with a thin black antique-looking frame! Would look amazing in your house! So sorry, the "decorator" in me is coming out!
Also, wanted to let you know that I received my rags balls, along with that darling bag!!!! And the antique postcard!! I was just thrilled!!! I will be posting about it next week be sure to leave a comment on etsy too!....You and your family have a nice weekend my friend!....Heidi XO P.S. Another question?...what are "99's"? :)

Pretty Practicals said...

Sounds like a lovely day out... sorry I haven't been to visit your blog for ages. I have been making the most of the kinder weather (we don't get too much of it here in the mountains!). It won't be too long before the frosts arrive again and I will be stuck inside the house all evening, so I'm enjoying every moment while I can. Chat soon, Liz

silverpebble said...

What a gorgeous post. I feel like I was there! So relaxing to read it after an evening with an unsettled newborn! She finally went to sleep and I joined you on your afternoon trip. This and the chocolate have really helped! Thanks!

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

THIS is why I love the beach so much, beautifully put...

Gill said...

Lovely post Kim, if I lived near the coast I think I couldn't resist spending time there...it was always a huge operation to go to the seaside for the day when I was a child too and still is! Got to take the flask, egg sandwiches are always welcome and sweets for the journey let alone food for the beach (my lot don't like travelling far without food)
We love Shirley Hughes books, I still have a number of them 'cos I can't bear to get rid of them.
Gill x