Anyone that has dipped into my corner of the world wide web can’t have failed to have noticed I am slightly obsessed by the sea, it’s my happy place! It appears I am not the only one to think this way, there is a plethora of quotes and sayings about the sea, and let’s be honest – its so beautiful that it was built for taking photos of! My Pinterest feed keeps giving me more inspiration – probably something to do with the size of my own sea and sailing board which is stuffed full of nautical niceness.
There’s no way I could pick just one favourite quote about the sea as each and every one is true. I think though that of all people JFK got it right when he said:
“It is an interesting biological fact that all of us have, in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears.
We are tied to the ocean.
And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch it we are going back from whence we came”
All others kind of come from there as far as I am concerned, but there’s a few more below in amongst some gorgeous pictures of the sea…
I love to be by the sea in the winter
Unsurprisingly the beaches are fantastically empty so they are unspoilt and present a peaceful and relaxing time listening to the waves lap the shoreline. It’s fun dressing up for winter and going somewhere that is so often only associated with summer sunshine. “A lot of people like snow – i find it an unnecessary freezing of water” so said Carl Reiner. I couldn’t have put it better myself, having attempted skiing once – I think this makes me a thalassophile!
Our nearest beach is Lepe, which is on the Solent. We probably go there once a month if the day looks like it is turning out ok. Above was in January 2016, we left home in the rain me having promised the forecast was to improve. And just look at the gorgeous sunset walk we had. Below is another day at Lepe, this time we were up with the larks and had the best of the day as the nighttime clouds cleared away.
A little bit further for us is Hurst Castle spit which acts as protection to the Solent at its western end. It’s a good walk out to the end and on a calm sunny day, the protected creeks behind the spit remind me so much of the north Norfolk coast.
The winter is normally the best time to go and watch a storm rage. The best thing about being by the sea is that it never, never gets boring and it isn’t ever the same. “I love the ocean because it’s calm, beautiful, infinite but also angry, harsh and magnificent and that intrigues me”. Below is another day at Hurst Castle with sea spume covering the beach.
Anglesey and Llandwyn Island really are best visited in the winter as everything is just that extra bit beautiful and we’ve been lucky on occasion on a clear day to see all of the Snowdonia peaks capped with snow.
There’s no shortage of coastal path in Cornwall and even on the murkiest days being out enjoying the elements is a good thing. ‘Mizzle’ is very cornish, illustrated below. This is a mix of mist and drizzle and is very common in Cornwall I must say…
That said, the days typically improve – just look at the azure colour of the surf even on a dreary day…
Believe it or not, this photo below was actually taken in Cornwall in November and on the same day as the two shots above… It was a momentary heatwave and well worth the gloom and chill of the morning to enjoy having this beach to ourselves to bask in the sunshine.
Something I have only seen once is snow on the beach, normally the amount of salt lingering melts it on contact but in Whitesand Bay in Pembrokeshire one Christmas, even the beach was snow-covered!
It’s even better on a warm summers day
The amount of times I play the little game with the waves where I see how far you can wade out without getting my knickers wet…. And end up with wet clothes or water in my boots – sometimes I never learn, it is always fun until it isn’t! Believe it or not this is Cornwall in May, I’m probably running from just how cold the water is, not the size of the waves!
We are blessed with miles and miles of cycle routes through the New Forest, but even so one of our preferred excursions actually needs us to use a fair bit of road. We head down to Tanners Lane beach, on the opposite side of the river to Lymington and if our timings are right enjoy lunch or an afternoon pint in the sun at The East End Arms.
I’m very taken with the tin mine coast that Cornwall has. It may well be the remains of a powerful industrial past, but I think it looks rather beautiful.
Even in the summer there are still going to be chilly days at the beach, always pack enough jumpers and still go exploring, you never know when it might rain (and oh did it rain the next day here…)
Not always is the view quintessentially stunning. This is Sentosa Island in Singapore, hot, humid and very tropical indeed. But one can’t fail to notice all of those ships stacked up waiting to dock. It is certainly a different sea view, but nice to go to the beach during a city break holiday!
Sometimes the scenery just gets you at hello, like it did in Monemvasia. Quite an incredible location, gorgeous colours and stunning scenery. I’ve only been to Greece once but this photo gives a hint as to why I need to explore more!
And it totally appealed to the geographer/oceanographer in me. I got a bit giddy exploring a prehistoric fossil forest!
The beach makes a good place to propose – while Mr P was gathering the courage to ask me the important question I was busy snapping a gorgeous afternoon in Westbay, Dorset. Lucky I got this shot – it was perfect for our wedding invitations!
“We live on a blue planet that circles around a ball of fire next to a moon that moves the sea, and you don’t believe in miracles.” We aren’t sun-bathing lovers. Mr P is normally OK, but I will either get bored or get sunburnt. But we’ve had some great days on the beach. A particular favourite was on honeymoon in South Africa when we spent a few days with our friends. Ours of fun jumping up and down in front of the camera on a timer!
We snatched a few hour on the beach during our trip to Maine – I didn’t get bored between selfies, people watching and book reading!
Not that I am wearing any on this beach near to Malin Head, Ireland, but “life is better in flip flops”. Sadly the flip flops won’t be out for a while in the UK, but one can but dream (or get on a plane to St Elsewhere).
Enjoying it from the comfort of a hotel also works well
Those hotels that have sea views from the pools and bedrooms or terraces, they really are quite something. What fascinated me when I researched this bit though, is that we haven’t actually stayed in that many! Whilst it is rare for us to take a trip that isn’t by the sea, I prefer to find somewhere small, remote and boutiquey and oftentimes those aren’t going to be in prime waterfront locations. That said – when we’ve had that illusive uninterrupted sea view, well, it’s been pretty good!
The Chedi pools (above) will forever cause me problems choosing other hotels. 3 pools, 2 infinity edged against the ocean and 1 that is 100 metres long – they raised the bar! I remember this swim particularly well – Mr P was doing some work so I said I would see him at the pool in half an hour. I swam and I swam and swam my little heart out. So blissful was the location I was in there for over an hour before he arrived! Below is another stunning pool – at The Kinsterna hotel in the Greek Peloponnese – a view of the sea and the scents of an olive grove, a heady mix.
There’s also something rather magical about kicking back with a sundowner by the sea – “Always find time for the things that make you happy to be alive”. Mounts Bay in Cornwall is the best place to sail in the UK (in my humble opinion) and enjoying the view with a tasty glass was definitely enjoyable too.
Continuing the theme, we absolutely loved our time on a little private island in Maine. The Inn at Cuckolds Light was quite magnificent and as you can see, just perfect for sundowners.
Some of my most favourite memories and adventures have sea views – “The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been and the memories we’ve made along the way”. In Jamaica we stayed at some gorgeous properties along the coast, Round Hill was quite something – every colour of blue, just gorgeous.
Even when it rains it’s worth putting on waterproofs and going to the beach
I’m not a fan of the rain and diligently take my umbrella everywhere. That said, I’m not going to let the rain stop me getting outside and getting some fresh air. I was so excited to take Mr P to North Norfolk for the first time, but sadly this was the weather that greeted us on arrival. Thankfully we can see past a bit of water i the air and we got on and enjoyed it – the weather cheered up and we’ve been back many times!
As you can see, taking an umbrella to the beach is often a sensible idea. At the start of this winter walk there was moisture falling from the sky. After a little while look at the big bright thing that popped through the clouds. It’s always worth giving the day a chance to improve – “Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful of your life”
Somedays though, the weather isn’t going to improve and we just have to get out there, grin and bear it. You can see the happiness resonating out of me here…
“Salt hair don’t care” is kind of true. So long as it has been cut recently, I have good conditioner and my tangle tease. Wind + salt is a dangerous concoction for hair, but even so – it’s always fun being out in a storm.
Often the best fun to be had is out on the sea
Unsurprisingly one of the reasons I love the sea so much is because I love to be on a boat, at sea. Apart from the one time I was sea sick and the handful of times I have been absolutely terrified, I love sailing! Offshore we are offline and the only company is the people around you. It is gorgeous to be somewhere so remote, no longer able to see land and on the constant look out for dolphins.
Closer to home and back in the Solent we’ve had some cracking weekends dinghy sailing.
I would definitely refer to myself as a fair weather sailor, but if the boat is going out racing in the winter then I will be too. Layer upon layer of thermals and there’s nothing to worry about, especially if we can make some tea between races!
“Life was made for good friends and great adventures” – you just have to look at this cracking photo from the end of the Fastnet Race to see what a fun adventure was had with a super group of friends. We raised some eyebrows changing into dinner dress to cross the finish line in the fog, but what’s the point of doing something like this if you don’t have fun with friends at the same time?
A yomp around the Solent on a chartered yacht with friends is also a great treat, and something we are overdue doing again in fact. “I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills” Audrey Hepburn was a wise lady indeed.
Spending time on the water with the boys is definitely educational, whilst I tend not to repeat what I hear as someone once said “I’m a lady with the vocabulary of a well educated sailor”. I’m definitely well-protected from any trouble with these gentlemen around.
Being able to include water transport in our wedding day activities was extra special – just look at those grins. And what class – drinking champagne out of a pint glass in a wedding dress. Thank goodness for Henri Lloyd though, and their white waterproof jacket!
An unbroken view to the horizon is definitely a bonus come sunrise or sunset at sea. As we operate on watch systems, not every day will we all see the sun do its thing, but when we do they are always special. At sea though it is incredible how quickly it chills down the moment the sun disappears.
Being able to do a competitive sport with friends is a definite highlight of being at sea. Good friends, good banter and good racing. Good apres sail socialising too of course! Sardinia was pretty perfect in that regard. “Believe me, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats”
How could I finish on anything other than two great loves, in one place. Champagne sailing is what the picture above shows – big breeze and big sunshine meaning big grins. But there’s another type of champagne sailing that is definitely worth giving some attention to, as illustrated below on a no-wind day last summer. On another occasion in St Tropez racing was postponed due to lack of wind, that wasn’t a problem for the boat I was on as a case of local rose was ribbed out to us to accompany a lazy lunch whilst we waited for wind and racing…
Whoever first came up with the quip ‘vitamin sea’ was clearly a clever person and on to something. A day at the beach, a day on the water, even if it is raining – it’s always good medicine in my book!
I have to agree with you. We are fortunate that we live at the beach literally, and behind us are the mountains, which gives the best of both worlds. We watch the sea change its mood throughout the day, walk along it daily, and hit every coffee shop we can. The beach is magical, the sea is volatile and we too, love it.
Author
I could spend hours just watching the sea, and I do! I recommend the desert – I thought I would hate having no water view, but it is the same but different in fact
Love to be by the sea in winter with the wind blowing the cobwebs away, Cornwall is my favourite but Pembokeshire not bad either
Author
In a way it is nicer – no one else there and all wrapped up warm!
I now live 6 miles from the English Channel – it’s the farthest I’ve ever lived from the sea and I can’t bear not being able to see it from the house. I think, like you, the sea is in my blood 🙂
Author
That’s a long way when you get used to it being near… I wish we were closer, or at least could smell the sea rather than just hear the seagulls!
Apart from 3 years in Bristol when i was at Uni, I’ve always lived by the sea. I couldn’t imagine moving away. As little girls my sister and I used to swim for hours and hours in the summer no matter how cold it was. Now I prefer it a little warmer but I still love it, whether I’m walking beside it or in it!
Author
Or on it – that’s my favourite!!
And let’s not forget Mark Twain’s great quote! ““Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour and catch the Trade Winds in your sails.”
Author
The classic – explore dream discover!