(no subject)

[turps]

It's a horrible day again today. Yesterday it never stopped with the sleety snow, today it's constant heavy rain. The porch roof is leaking again, and so is the toilet roof so I have bowls under both of those. I swear, it's always something.

So, to counter the wet and cold I've been thinking of more things I love, and decided to talk about the beach.

I live about a ten to twenty-minute drive to the beach, depending on traffic. My in-laws live much closer and the main city and supermarkets for the area are closer still, so I end up at the beach often. It's a bit of a longer drive along the coast to South Shields, where there is a fairground, big parks etc, but we tend to stick to Seaburn and Roker which are really close to Sunderland city centre. Both of those places have had improvements made in the last few years, Seaburn getting the Stack, which opened just before the second lockdown, and has remained closed apart from takeaway from a few shops ever since. But, once it's opened properly it'll be an amazing place to eat and be entertained.

Roker is where we go the most, it has a row of new cafes, including a fabulous fish and chip shop and an independent coffee shop that makes the best lattes. Sadly that's also closed at the moment, but when it is open there's nothing better than sitting at the picture windows drinking a hot drink on a cold and stormy day.

I like going to the beach at any time of the year, but never actually sit on the sand and sunbathe in summer. I prefer to walk along the prom, or in winter, walk then sit in the car with a hot drink and watch the waves crash over the pier. I also like to have a plodge, but not until it's much warmer than now.

Comments

[wenchpixie]

I love the sea so much - even on a day like today (especially, actually, it's super windy up here so the waves will be brilliant). I used to live (long) walking distance away, and I've missed it ever since I moved further inland ♥

[turps]

My lottery dreams include buying a house on the seafront. It'll never happen, especially as I don't actually play the lottery, but it's nice to think about.

I'm with you on loving the waves too. Seeing them crash against the pier and prom is always an amazing sight.

[shadowhive]

Awww no, I hope the weather is better soon

You’re so lucky to live so near the sea! I wish I was a bit closer since I love it

[topaz119]

I miss having the beach to walk when I'd go see my parents. We go in the summer for a week, of course, but that's only a week and then it's different than just nipping down to the public parking area and taking off into the wind.

[ephemera]

I do so miss the sea! I'm glad that you're able to get there so swiftly and still appreciate it! (I have a really vivid memory of walking on a sandy beach with you, barefoot, but no idea when or where that was - it's a good memory, though!)

[turps]

Sadly it's still raining, though not as badly as it was yesterday.

I'd love to live actually on the seafront, though sadly I doubt that will ever happen. But you're right, I am lucky to live within easy driving distance.

[turps]

I remember that too!

If I'm right it was when you came to my house for the weekend, then more UK CS people arrived and we were going to the cinema to see one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, but before we went there stopped off at the beach and had a group wander on the sand :D

[turps]

You're right, a holiday and having the beach right there are very different things. I love being able to go for a spontaneous walk in all weathers and am sorry you don't have that now.

[brandywine28]

I love the ocean! I live pretty close to it, too -- only about 30-ish minutes by car, I think? But sadly, I don't *have* a car, so I hardly ever get there! I like knowing it's close by, though. Even in the winter.

[turlough]

I envy you living so close to the beach! There really is nothing better than walking along the beach and watching the sea. No matter what the weather!

[frausorge]

Aahh, I feel for you with the leaks - I had to have the plastic bowls and buckets out last week myself. I hope nothing too precious got damaged.

But water in its proper place at the beach is fantastic. What great photos - I love the path of sunlight glinting off the wet sand, and the strong visual curve in the last shot. And the damp gulls made me laugh.

[turps]

Yeah, the actually having a car part is important. As close as I live I know for a fact I'd go far less often if I had to bus it there, even though there's a direct bus.

You're right though, it is good to know it's close by for those time you do want to see the ocean.

[turps]

I enjoy walking at the beach just as much in the winter as the summer, even better sometimes when the waves are crashing.

[turps]

Oh no, I hope your leak wasn't too bad too. Thankfully with being in the hall and downstairs toilet there's not much that could be damaged. Just the cat litter boxes really, and they're waterproof.

The gulls are so determined and no doubt bigger than they should be on their diet of chips.