They say you should be careful what you say out loud, for Fate is listening, and she is very fond of playing games.
Say how happy/well/good things are going and you can kiss goodbye to all of it!
I really enjoyed my day by the sea yesterday, but somehow, everything that came before, the progress and all that wonderful enthusiasm seems to have vanished in a puff of smoke, and I’m back to square one.
Although, after all that sunshine and glorious sea views (and ice cream) I’m not so sad about it.
Everything about yesterday was perfect. The journey down was so relaxing. I sat back and watched the world (at least this part of it) sail past the car window. I smelled the sea long before I actually saw it, and the first glimpse of all that sparkling sapphire water had my heart and soul soaring.
The family couldn’t get any response from me for ages as I just stood and stared and took it all in.
The best bit!
Speed boats crossed in front of me, and several people were sunbathing on surfboats, floating on the sea. It was early, so not many people were about, just wonderful.
They said it would be very warm, but there was a lovely cool breeze from the water, so it couldn’t have been more perfect.
We were all a bit subdued when we arrived, for I wasn’t the only one who needed this break, but by the end of the day we were laughing and joking just like old times.
One thing is for sure, we really must do this again, and soon…
I didn’t care that it was raining, or that the wind was so strong it nearly blew me off my feet. I had finally made it to my favourite healing place and that was all that mattered.
I had wanted to come to the island today, to defy the weather and stand on the path overlooking the sea. To climb over the old wooden breakwater and cross the shingle beach and stand at the water’s edge like I always did.
The last time I was here seemed like a lifetime ago now. So much has happened since then, so much misery and heartache, worry and sadness and not much better now if the truth be told.
This was what today’s visit was all about. Time to find some of the peace I always found by the sea, to help make sense of the turmoil in my heart and head. I watched the waves form out to sea, the white horses riding the waves as they galloped to the shore. They crashed down in a roar as the water met the shingle, and I felt myself relax for the first time in weeks.
Image by Pixabay.com
I watched each wave reach further up the beach before it became swallowed by the one coming up behind. The sight and sound enthralled me as it always had, soothing my soul into acceptance. I tried to ignore the wind that was numbing my face and the rest of the pain, disappointment and anger slowly faded away and the tears began to fall, as salty as the sea I loved so much…
The Next day…
The following day we were invited on a trip. This time to Southsea on the south coast, just twenty miles away.
After the battering I received yesterday, I wasn’t keen to go out again, but the sun was shining and the only clouds in the sky were soft, fluffy, snow-white creations, promising a lovely day.
On the way, the view of these clouds through the car windows was mesmerising. Against the clear crystal blue of the sky, the clouds seemed to glow, and the formations were amazing.
Image by Jaye Marie
The day couldn’t have been more different to the freezing gale lashing of yesterday.
While we ate our lunch outside in the fresh air, we were visited by a crowd of starlings. Such beautiful birds with their iridescent plumage and intelligent chatter. They waited patiently for any morsels we felt like offering and made excellent luncheon companions.
When this huge seagull landed among them, we watched to see what the starlings would do but they simply ignored him, and he soon flew away.
After lunch, we were lucky enough to witness the departure of Southsea’s Hovercraft, a huge noisy beast of a machine and we were all sprayed with seawater as it fired up and took off.
I watched it travel across the Solent towards the Isle of Wight, leaving a trail of froth in its wake, gleaming in the sunshine.
This was a short visit, but we all agreed it had been well worth it. It had been a lovely few hours, where we laughed together and enjoyed one another’s company for the first time in what seemed like a lifetime…
Anita Dawes and Jaye Marie 