To The Sea @ Heysham

Me and the Sea, the Sea and Me, we are very good friends. And like all good friendships there is sweet sorrow when we are parted. I think of our friendship often, and cannot stay away for too long or else a sadness sets in. A sort of melancholy which can only be lifted by a reunion.

The last time the Sea and Me got to hang out together was on my Birthday last year, the 12th October. So more than a third of a year ago, cripes no wonder I've been pining like a love-sick teenager! No wonder I've been feeling slightly deranged and desperate for a reunion, it's been far too long!

So last week sometime, I decide I can take the separation no longer and I hatch a plan. I have a little looky on the internet and try to figure out where I can persuade my family to go which won't involve hour upon hour of car travel and won't deliver the type of kiss-me-quick rundown tacky English seaside resort that I am not keen on. And I hit upon the little village of Heysham.

From internet-information it looks like just the thing :: quirky, quaint, ancient, small village shops, a large expanse of beach, an ancient ruined church, no amusement arcades, no candy floss. I can ignore the fact that there is a huge, ugly power station nearby. I can ignore the fact that there are huge, ugly commercial shipping docks nearby. I can ignore the fact that it is only a hop and a skip down the road from Morecambe (which I have visited before and found depressing)

So on Sunday the first day of March, ten am and we set off. We estimate one hour and twenty minutes to drive to Heysham. It rains as we drive, it is grey, cold and not very nice looking as the rain spatters on the windscreen. Yet miraculously, as we get nearer to the coast the sky clears and sunshine appears as if it has been ordered. We cheer, well I do any road, J and the Little People are quite non-plussed about the whole trip but I am jubilant and quite over excited.

There is always going to be a slightly tense moment when one arrives at an unknown destination with such high hopes. Will it be OK? Will it provide us with a top-notch family day out? Will it delight, will it provide joy and happiness? Will it make us some Good Memories?

I am delighted to report that yes, Heysham did all of the above.

It was fabulous! A near deserted, picturesque, charming little village. A loooooooong sea front with a promenade stretching as far as the eye could see. And  a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge stretch of sandy beach, also pretty much deserted except for one or two couples and a dog.

Onto the sands we go, it's breezy and fresh, chilly even, but bright and energising, and oh just perfect! I can't tell you how happy I am to be beside the sea again.

The boys go off to search the rockpools for fish and crabs. Us girls are slower, scouring the sands for shells.

I am so blissed out. I turn my face up to the sun, out to the distant horizon, along the shoreline, down to the ripply sands. I hear the cry of gulls, the lap of waves and the shouts of my children as they run, discover, share, enjoy.

The tide comes in fast in Morecambe Bay. It literally races in like a horse. So when J notices quite suddenly that the tide is indeed racing towards us at quite an alarming rate, our playtime on the beach is cut short. But no matter, it's pretty much lunch time anyways.

Now usually we are a family of picnickers. We set off on any outing with a bulging rucksack containing all the food and drink we might possibly need for the day, with the exception of ice cream. But for this trip we decided to Splash Out and instead of slightly squashed sandwiches and an apple, we go for the Pub Lunch option. Such luxury! Luckily for us, Heysham has a most delightful pub, an exceptionally old (many hundreds of years) building, with low beamed ceilings and a large open fire. And very, very good food. It was quite simply a delicious lunch.

After the pub, we set out to explore a bit of Heysham Village. We walk up past St Peters Church perched precariously on the cliff top, it's grounds smothered with purple crocus.

The path winds up through some trees and emerges out on the open cliff where the ancient ruins of St Patrick's Chapel look out to sea.

I love cliff top scenery. Love the yellow of the gorse flowers against the blue of sea and sky. Love the way the grass always seems so green and springy on cliff tops, love the open-ness and breeziness, the views of the horizon, the expanse of it all.

There is a little wooden bench up here, so J and I sit a while with a flask of coffee and some chocolate and watch as our Little People explore. They run, they shout, they hide and seek amongst the chapel ruins. Its joyful to watch, it expands my heart, makes me feel full-to-bursting.

From the cliff tops we meander down through a small woodland. I love the light here, the play of sunshine and shadows. And I love the fresh greens of newly emerging bluebell shoots and mossy rocks.

 

Down from the little wood and back to the village, we stroll around the lanes....

....admire the little rows of cottages....

....the beautifully planted and decorated seaside gardens....

 

....ancient buildings and beautifully coloured front doors.

Heysham is turning out to be everything I hoped it would be, and I find myself delighted by it all.

Even the benches are quirky and charming in Heysham.

Yes, there is great spirit here in Heysham. You can feel it in every nook and cranny. In the wide open seascape and the intimate little lanes. In the ancient buildings and the quirky details.

We shall be returning soon, I can already hear it calling to me. And the Little People demand it too. There's trouble persuading them it's time to go home, they simply don't want to leave. They clutch their found shells and ask quite matter of factly if there's a hotel where we could stay, so we can wait for the tide to race back out again and return to the sands for more.

Soon, we will surely be back again soon.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[Helen]

I have been browsing your blog tonight as I often do for inspiration and love your photos. I was so excited to spot Heysham! I live here, Heysham is my home and to see it through your eyes, well..it really made me realise how lucky I am. Sometimes you take for granted what you have, so busy hankering for what you don't. I grew up running through the woods at the side of St Peters...up on the barrows, sledging down in a bin bag when it snowed once, years ago. Thank you for your praise of the place I love so much and thank you for bringing back those memories with your lovely words. I agree with your assessment of Morecambe, I can only hope it doesn't put people off visiting our little haven, tucked away here.

[Anne Bonner]

I just discovered your lovely blog! I was researching the village of Heysham because I just came across an old wood textile spool with Heysham, England stamped into the seam. Your photo's are divine and the village looks like something from a story book! My name is Anne and I am in Vancouver, Canada!
cheers!

[Chez Tine]

merci pour la balade et ces paysages magnifiques, magiques et enchantés

[sez]

my goodness, you make me want to live there! and until now I was quite happy where I am ;)

[Angie]

Hallo Lucy! Have just found your blog from Posy's link (I think!). I absolutely love your style of colourful blogging and your rainbow photo's! Couldn't believe your visit to Heysham...I lived there for a little while a few years ago and was enchanted...despite the power station's proximity. Thank you for whisking me back to two very happy years and magical summer days. I shall be returning to your blog with a smile! PS I now live in rural Scotland...at least an hour from the sea.

[esther]

I lived in the city of York for 2 seperate sets of 6 months about 9 years ago (! holy cats - nine years!) and took some lovely trips to lovely towns that were so...Lovely! Your pictures make me wish i'd stayed there! I miss the beauty, and though there is beauty aplenty in Washington State, i think once you connect with a place it stays with you, and you always long (even just in small ways) to head back to it. so it's nice to have a peak through your blog - thanks!

[Cathy]

Lucy I used to live at Slyne with Hest - opposite end of Morecambe to Heysham, but I never discovered Heysham! How on earth did I miss it? Thank you for rectifying that for me - I loved reading about your trip!

[SummerSadie]

What a fun trip and such beautiful pictures!

[Emma]

Funny, I've been yearning for the sea too and have raided my shell collection to make some jewellery for my stall at the weekend - it's assuaged the longing a little but your lovely pictures have helped too. Those little shells are beautiful and what about that fishing net float necklace in that garden? Lovely

[bigbucketgirl]

Ah! I just googled it and it would take approximately 6 hours to get there. Erm..261 miles!

I'll enjoy your photos all the more!

[bigbucketgirl]

I hope you get to take that rejuvenating sea air as often as possible.... that place looks wonderful. I'm going to google it to find out where it is! We're are right on the coast...the sea just 200 yards from our house...and i am a crazed woman whenever i have to travel inland!

Great photographs to. Thankyou.

[Sal]

Wow thanks for taking me to Heysham, it made me happy! Love Sal x

[hip chick]

Oh my how beautiful!

[Devon Hanna]

You did it again,,you took me on a very lovely trip and I didnt even have to pack,,,thanks abunch for the beautiful pictures..you are a gem.

Devon in arizona

[mandy]

I must agree on the picture of St.Peters church, surrounded by purple crocus's, it was beautiful, indeed worthy of another visit, how could you resist,
thankyou for sharing an enjoyable trip with us.

[Patricia]

Thankyou for sharing. The picture of St. Peters on the the clifftop with the purple crocus. It touched my heart, and I could sit and stare at it for it is so beautiful.

[lulu]

What a beautiful place Lucy...Glad you all had a nice time..
Thanks for taking us with you on your trip to a lovely place..

[Bertie Meadows]

Beautiful Lucy, just so lovely. Your photographs, the way you wrote about it - all of it. I feel as though I've been along too. So glad you had a such a special day and managed to get your fix!
Bertie x

[Shannon]

Thank you for sharing your trip to the sea, and photos of so many lovely memories. I live in a pretty town, but anything over 50 is "old" here... I loved seeing the church and buildings. Your pictures made my day.

[valerie]

only just discovered your blog just wanted to say thanks for the inspration and sharing your love life with us

Val

[Regina]

Hi Lucy
Just wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love all your pictures and I love the beach,
too.
I have a Award for you!
Have a nice evening!
Hugs,Regina

[Josie-Mary]

Thanks for taking us to the seaside!!! Looks beautiful :) x

[Lori French]

Hi, I loved your trip; about 15 years ago or so was on the same spot in Heysham church grounds, and crocuses were all around me. My heart jumped when I saw these photos, such a lovely delightful reminder of happy times. I live in France now, but I miss Lancashire, I lived near Preston then. One of these days I must ask you if there is a tutorial of how to change colours, do the ripple design, squares, etc, I am starting to crochet. Your blog inspires me. Thanks such a lot, L xxx

[Rebecca]

Oh how lovely - you have me yearning for the sea now! Nothing better than a near-deserted beach - I have quite a penchant for paddling and it's best that no-one's in earshot to hear me squealing like a child!

[Ann]

Ugh, I'm so jealous! I live across the pond, in the great State of Maine, and we are simply stuck in the throes of winter. We were dealt another foot of snow only several days ago. I am more than ready for the melting of white stuff and emergence of anything remotely green!

Love your blog, you have rapidly become one of my first stops!

Ann