When I compose my blog posts, they always start with the images. Always. My ideas for each post evolve directly from my photographs and I always upload all the pictures first before turning my mind to the writing. It takes quite a long time to upload photos to typepad, mainly because I am too lazy to resize them and make them smaller, so they are large, unwieldy files that have to make their way from my Attic computer through cyberspace to you.
Anyhow, this morning I wanted to tell you the story of one Blissful Day of my holiday last week, the day in my life that was Thursday 16th April. There are twentyone pictures in total which has taken me almost two hours to upload (I blog visit and email and make coffee and surf the net whilst doing this, so admittedly I get rather distracted along the way). And whilst I've been watching the images appear on screen, I've been able to re-live this particular day all over again, and it's been surprisingly emotional for me.
The morning started with a plan, and involved meeting family for coffee and cake at 10.30am at the Hive beach cafe (I chatted a little about this place on Wednesday). Even though the weather was quite grey and windy on this morning, the delicious coffee and cake, and time spent idling on the beach afterwards was delightful. The Little People are now at an age where they can quite happily amuse themselves for a while without adult participation, especially on a beach. There was lots of digging, stone throwing and collecting, drawing (we always take sketch pad and pens with us in the rucksack, and Little Lady spent a surprisingly looong time sat on the beach colouring a whole page in blue, which was her picture of the sea she said).
Whilst the LP were busy with their own pursuits, J and I were able to talk to each other. I don't know about you lot, but often I feel that in the bustle and humdrum of daily life at home, it becomes increasingly difficult as a couple to find time to sit and talk to each other. To talk about the way you are feeling about life, to make plans, to sort of review where you are at and where you see yourself headed if you like. Often J and I will do this on the occasions when we are out walking together, and last week, on this Thursday morning on the beach, I found I really enjoyed talking to my husband and had missed it. I remembered that I really, really like him a lot. That he is funny, thoughtful, honest and very hard working. That he has worked hard to provide us, our little family, with a great deal of security and stability, and that he will continue to do so. And that I must never, ever take this for granted or forget how lucky I am to have him and this life of ours. And I tell him so.
We notice after an hour or two at the beach that the weather is brightening up considerably from it's grey start, and that blue sky is appearing. It's still windy mind you, so we make a spur of the moment plan and decide on a venue and an activity for the afternoon. We choose Eggardon Hill, and Kite flying. Eggardon hill is the site of an ancient iron-age hillfort, but I am not especially interested in the history of it. What I love about it is the height, the views, the space and the light. And the fact that it holds a great many memories for me, of my parents and grandparents (no longer with us) and the many happy childhood picnics and playtimes that have taken place here over the years. Oh, and that it is always very windy and therefore exceptionally good for kite flying up here.
The kite flying was a huge success. In my experience, kites can be quite unpredictable (we've had some disappointing "bad flyers" over the years) and this was the first outing for this little kite as it had been sitting under a little pile of dust in the cellar for quite some time. I came across it still unused and in it's packet when I was busy gathering blankets and boots, balls and spades and packing up the car ready for the journey to Dorset. And now looking at these pictures and remembering the joy of this simple afternoon on the hilltops, I am so glad I did.
As a child I used to adore kites, and can so remember the feeling of exhilaration when ones kite actually does work and does lovely simple kitey things like going up and staying up and following you as you walk it along on it's string. Its magical! And the Little People really, really had a lot of fun with this kite. Doesn't it look stunning against the blue of the sky? Mmm mmm!
When we begin to tire of looking skywards, we stroll on further across the hilltop. It's hard to capture the true scale of Eggardon on camera :: the expanse of the sky and the surrounding panoramic views is awesome. One of the things I love most of all is to sit and watch the dark shadows move across the vast hillsides, the shadows made by the clouds themselves. Love that.
J and I spread a blanket and sit on top of this ancient ridge to drink hot tea from a flask while the LP do their thing. Their "thing" here involved chaotic frisby throwing, interspersed with running up and down the steep grassy slopes and some rather speedy roly-polying. It was exhausting watching them, how is that small children can find sooooo much energy in their little bodies?
This last photo above of the view across the valley was taken at 4pm just as we were preparing to head back. We had a table booked at a small local Thai restaurant at 6pm :: I remember thinking then that this day was shaping up to be truly fabulous, and yet I did not know at 4pm that the best was still to come....
The meal out was wonderful, quite a treat. The food was fantastic, the children very well behaved in such a small intimate restaurant. While us adults enjoyed spicy Thai curry, they happily tucked into prawn crackers and chicken satay sticks with a peanut dip (their first experience of Thai food, and was declared YuMmY-can-we-have-it-again).
We come out of the restaurant at 7.30pm or thereabouts, and step into an unexpectedly glorious early evening light. So instead of heading back to the house, we make a spontaneous decision to go for a walk instead, to extend the day so to speak.
I know exactly where I want to go :: a little known patch of land a few miles out of Bridport called Eype Down. Park the car in a layby just off a quiet deserted country lane at the foot of the down and begin climbing. Up, up across the steep grassy slopes which in a few weeks time will be a glorious shade of bluebell blue. As we get near the brow of the down, we catch the setting sun streaming over the horizon, the quality of the light at this time of day is breathtaking.
Long shadows (that's mine above), and golden light, I am thrilled by the beauty of it all and feel fit to burst.
Eventually after some climbing we reach a point where the coast is visible. We see the flat top of high Golden Cap, the little village of Seatown nestled down underneath it, and the milky sea under the golden sky.
Words cannot describe how amazing all this makes me feel. This landscape and light, this freedom and exhileration of being out at this time of day when normally we would be indoors and therefore missing it all. Hope that doesn't sound too soppy? Or over dramatic, haha, yes maybe it does but what the heck!
The Little People are caught up in my excitement, they do NOT want to go back because they know it is really their bedtime, yet here they are in the midst of the countryside, running around and eating chocolate :: what fun!
So we make another spontaneous decision :: we decide not to go back and put pyjamas on just yet, but to walk back down the down (!) to the car and drive the mile or two to the sea. Just for the joy of it. Shall we? Yes, lets do it!
It is 8:20pm when we arrive at Eype beach and the fishermen are just setting up for the night. Another family with excited children is collecting driftwood to make a beach fire.
The colours in the sky are amazing, incredible and I am trying not to cry with the pleasure of it all, it seems so emotional for me somehow! I'm quite sure I'm not normal, I become so affected by little things all the time it seems.
We settle down on the beach to watch the day draw to a close, and there is a chill in the air now. Luckily I have my faithful knitted blankets (remember them?) to keep me warm and I feel so happy, snug, content. I am so very in-the-moment, you know?
The sky slowly, slowy changes colour and begins to darken.
The Little People are beside themselves with excitement. I think as adults, we forget how rarely young children get to stay up beyond 8pm and venture outdoors to witness the close of day :: it's normally a time for being home, locking the door, drawing the curtains shut and preparing for bed. And so when it does happen, it holds a great deal of unexpected excitement.
As you can see, they are, quite simply, loving it.
Loving every minute. And quite rightly so.
As the temperature falls, J and Little Man (who are too manly to snuggle under knitted blankets it seems) retreat back to the car to warm up. Little Lady and I wrap ourselves up in the wooly, blankety warmth, snuggle down together on our backs and keep watch for the first stars to appear. We spot the first ones twinkling just before 9pm. And it seems to be a signal that it's time to end our day and head back.
As I recount this story to you today, I realise with a start that for me, this particular day in my life was as near to Perfect as I could ever ever hope for. Time spent with family in a beautiful and much-loved little corner of the world, enjoying the moments unfold from early morning through to night. It was a day I didn't want to end. It made me feel so profoundly Complete in a way that is incredibly hard to describe.
I loved the day because it was so simple. Because the pleasure came from love and laughter and relaxation, from good food and company, from the land and sea and the elements, from simple pleasures. Good coffee. Cake. The sounds of waves breaking on the shore. Of being high up and enjoying a view. Of Kite flying. Of sunsets, warm blankets and starry skies.
So simple to find happiness, it is right there to be had, in the small moments of each day. All you have to do is hold yourself in those moments, and cherish them.
xxxxxxxxxx
This post was wonderful! Thank you for sharing with us.
Posted by: Fiona | April 25, 2009 at 09:24 AM
Lucy, Iam crying! I know exactly what you mean about your day and even though feelings like that are hard to describe you put it so eloquently. Cherish - such a lovely word and so important to do so.
A beautiful post. Thankyou.
Love, sunshine and rainbows, Jane x
Posted by: Jane | April 25, 2009 at 08:41 AM
What a wonderful post! Idyllic! I have also posted some photos of my recent travels throughout Israel on my blog, if you fancy a little look. Your photos are truly stunning. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Posted by: Lisa | April 25, 2009 at 07:51 AM
Oh Lucy your holiday looks and sounds divine. I just want to come and sit with you in that chair by the river and crochet :)
Posted by: Stacey | April 25, 2009 at 06:07 AM
What a fabulous post to wrap up your "visit to the sea" posts. I think this post puts into words what all us "readers" enjoy so much about you, Lucy. It's your ability to enjoy and exult in and thrill to the simple items and moments of life and to show us the way to do likewise.
Posted by: Shelley in SC | April 25, 2009 at 12:21 AM
thank you - I felt your joy! so wonderful.
Posted by: genny | April 24, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Hi Lucy
So often "less is more". It seems that real Joy comes from the serendipitous moments that aren't planned - the spontaneity of people and their reactions to the beauty of nature and the simple things in life...
By the way - the photo of the fishermen at dusk is exquisite as are the silhouetted Little People
Posted by: wend | April 24, 2009 at 11:27 PM
These images are beautiful,they make me miss England so much...sigh!!!
Lots of love.
Posted by: marigio | April 24, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Oh! Lucy! You warm my heart so much with ALL your posts, but this one brought a tear to my eye as I sit here in Aussieland, early morning, crisp (to us) Autumn morning, cuppa at hand,and I'm just wiping the drool off the keyboard.....thank you so much.....Attic 24 is by far my most favourite blog....don't EVER stop posting...please! Have just ordered some 8ply Merino wool, to make my own Ripple Blanket...I just hope that in real life, the colours will be as scrummy as yours....
sloppystuff lzilulu xox
Posted by: lzilulu | April 24, 2009 at 10:53 PM
mesmorising. lovely. hold onto that happy day forever xx
Posted by: driftwood | April 24, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Such beautiful photos and words,what wonderful memories for you all.
Thank you for sharing them.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Linda O xxx
Posted by: Linda O | April 24, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Beautiful Lucy
just beautiful
What a beautiful person you are
reading this post has been a truly magical experience and your photographs are sublime
You write beutifully, the energy of your post is so clear and bright and sparkling, like the stars and the sea
I am so grateful to you for sharing this, your special day in all it's golden capped glory with us.
I wish you and your family a wonderful weekend and many, many more happy days filled with simple pleasures.
You are not alone in feeling so emotional over simple things
You are a very open and sensitive soul, awake and aware and appreciative, I think that is very very lovely.
x
Sumea
Posted by: Sumea | April 24, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Lovely, lovely post ..... thank you.
Posted by: Alison | April 24, 2009 at 09:53 PM
Thank you. Perfect pictures, perfect words. Could've gone schmaltzy, with you at the helm it didn't.
Glad you had a good day and thanks for sharing.
PS That's a good hint to upload the photos first and then write. I've tended to do it the other way.
Posted by: Moira | April 24, 2009 at 09:50 PM
What a lovely post Lucy - it reminds me of a holiday in Pembrokeshire a few years ago with a dear friend of ours and his two daughters. It was his birthday so we had a sunset barbecue on the beach at Newgale and watched the sun going down while listening to the sea shushing on the shingle (the tide was ) as we perched on the slope at the back of the beach - that sound stays with me still
Posted by: Anne Bebbington | April 24, 2009 at 09:25 PM
Oh Lucy........... you've written of my deepest feelings once again, and reminded me how important it is to express my gratitude over the little things even more than the grande things. And those pictures of your feet on the beach......... well, I am known for my pictures of the same thing. :D Had to laugh. I'll send you one so you can too. Thanks so much for sharing your life. You are loved and we are so grateful for you.
Moonie
Posted by: Moonie | April 24, 2009 at 08:54 PM
Lucy you have what I believe is a gift, probably a rare gift nowadays, for a real appreciation of life and all it beholds, for the simple things, the pleasure they bring and for enjoying nature at its best. Don't ever lose it!
Posted by: Lorraine | April 24, 2009 at 08:05 PM
what a lovely lovely post Lucy. carry on treasuring the lovely times.
We had a fantastic time at seatown and Eype and stayed on the beach until dark when my two ,now teenagers , were small. you brought those beautiful memories flooding back Thank you. Penny L
Posted by: Penny L | April 24, 2009 at 07:55 PM
Oh Lucy, what a wonderfully perfect day, treasure it forever and look back on it whenever life gets you down! How I wish my son and daughter were still little, to be able to share these sort of moments with them again would be lovely. As they grow up and lose their innocence things change...dont get me wrong I love my kids to bits and theyve turned into wonderful adults but their lives are too hectic and full now to fully appreciate the beauty of simplistic things like sunsets etc....does that make sense?!!
L & H
Wendxxxx
Posted by: Wendy | April 24, 2009 at 07:49 PM
It's always a pleasure to visit your blog. I like to sit down with a good cup of coffee and feel transported into your lovely, colourful world. Thank you :)
Posted by: Sweet Pea | April 24, 2009 at 07:40 PM
oh Lucy, this is the best post you have ever ever written, I think, your photos are yummy and your words so true, I love being by the beach and the simple joy of being outside, listening to waves and sea gulls or nestled in the country side walking and talking, we spent the day at the beach yesterday but were tied to routine and home before tea you miss so much, thanks for a lovely read feel like I've been on holliday! xx
Posted by: Felicity | April 24, 2009 at 07:24 PM
xoxoxoxo Lucy xoxoxoxoxox
This is the loveliest post EVER!!!!
xoxoxoxo Lucy xoxoxoxoxox
Posted by: cathleen | April 24, 2009 at 07:04 PM
sounds like a perfectly lovely day. such a lovely post thank you for sharing.
xx
Posted by: Janette | April 24, 2009 at 06:55 PM
What a beautiful post,thank you for sharing a beautiful day with us. As always gorgeous photos,as they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Andrea
Posted by: Andrea | April 24, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Hi Lucy. Just wanted to say WOW you certainly have a way with words and pictures. I got sooooooooo absorbed I'm afraid my choc chip cookies (your recipe) were in the oven a little longer than the 8-10 mins you recommend and are slightly over-done. But hey! They're still DELICIOUS. Thank you for all your wonderful inspiration, patterns, recipes and POSITIVITY. Lots of Love from Sam xxx
Posted by: Samantha Terry | April 24, 2009 at 06:38 PM