I Went to the Sea

This time last week I was in Dorset. I travelled solo, getting up ridiculously early last Saturday morning to wrap presents, write Christmas cards, sort school uniform, make lists, make a flask of coffee with packed lunch and stuff a few clothes into a case on wheels. It was ever so slightly manic and I only just made the 06:50 train, arriving hot and bothered, exhausted and somewhat relieved to have actually made it. The train journey to Dorset takes 7 hours which includes a jaunt across London on the underground, it's a pretty good way to travel and I passed the time reading, daydreaming and knitting a bit of sock.

I had four days and three nights away from home and it was a huge luxury for me to take off by myself whilst J held the home front together. He is a very capable man on the home front, effortlessly taking over the parenting reigns which allowed me to go spend a few days with my folks. My parents are doing ok, it was good to see them and be able to spend time with them by myself for a change. I have an uneasy relationship with my parents and at times I confess it really was quite hard going. But still, I am glad I made the journey south and back again, yes, I am glad, despite the emotional difficulties.

One major upside to my Dorset visit was the draw of the sea, I absolutely couldn't wait to take myself down to the water's edge. Dorset in wintertime is really, really lovely, so quiet and beautifully empty and bleak. I've always had a soft spot for seaside locations in winter, they are calm and invigorating all at once. All that pounding surf and salty air, the sounds and scents of the winter beach are intoxicating. I loved being there very, very much.

This past week since I returned from my travels has been hectic, as any Mum of school age children knows only too well. There is so much crammed into these last days of school - a Winter concert, a pantomime, a Christmas play, a Church carol service, Christmas jumpers, non school uniform days, Secret Santa gifts, Christmas cards, assessments and reports, high jinx and exhaustion. Times three. Having three Little People at three different schools has tested my organisational skills to the max this term, but we survived intact and here we are at the welcome start of a two week respite from school routine. Hallelujah, we are all so, so ready for it.

I hope you are all doing good in the run up to Christmas, I hope you are happy and that all is calm and bright in your days. Go gently my friends xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Gillian Roe]

How lovely to be able to sneak away for a few days and spend quality time with your parents. I am wondering what time you got up on that Saturday morning to do all those jobs before catching such an early train?!

I know exactly what you mean about the restorative qualities of the beach in the winter - if anything I like it more then than in the summer. xx

[Jenn]

Yes, parents can difficult and visits are often heart wrenching. I too make visits and come home exhausted. With that said I am glad you and I do make the time to go and visit. We are showing our children selflessness. Our kids are too young to know or be told about our unrest but be sure that they can feel the difference in us. It does make us stronger Lucy.
I hope you had a wonderful cozy Christmas with your family and that you all have a joyous 2016!!
Much love from Canada!
Jenn

[aydan şendil eraslan]

hello ı like your handmades and ı try too .my name ıs aydan ı m pharmacıst in turkey .bye

[Judyk2310]

Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thanks for being an inspiration to so many.

[Lisa Smitj]

I'm off to Dorset in my touring caravan for six days after boxing day.....Can't wait!

[Michele]

As someone who lost both parents during my late teens, I can tell you that your feelings will definitely change once they are no longer with you. My children are grown and fairly close, and although I still work full-time, I can hear their exasperation when they see changes in me that are different from when they were children. Although it may be difficult, try to keep your parents as close to your heart as possible.

Wishing you and your lovely family a very Merry Christmas, and wonderful blessings for 2016!

[Sian Hockridge]

I visited West Bay for the first time this year whilst visiting my parents in Dorset - isn't it just the most magical place

[Christine Clarke]

We both have/had difficult relationships with our parents. We've made damn sure that we haven't passed that onto our brilliant, beautiful, hard working, strong daughter. Lurve your hooky goodness xxx

[Madeline]

I do so love to pop by your blog to see your beautiful makes and read about life in 'the attic'. Thanks for your honest words, family relationships sure can be complicated.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas
xxx

[Mona]

Lucy, Thank you for the honest post. I just had a week with my parents at my house so I understand the "uneasy" part. My mom told me (not very kindly) that my house was a mess (3 kids) and that I had too much yarn... They don't know me. You were a sweet daughter to go visit and that was a big sacrifice for you, husband and kids.
May the Lord bless you in the coming year. Merry Christmas!

[Claire]

Uneasy relationship with parents. Oh yes!

Glad you got pleasure from the solo travels and the sea. Happy Christmas!!! xxx

[Eleonora from Coastal Crochet]

Gorgeous photos! We are VERY ready for the 2 week Christmas break too! I share your love of the sea as my blog name suggests! :)

[Sarah]

Have a wonderful Christmas Lucy. Glad you enjoyed the sea in it's winter bleakness. It has been looking just the same over this weekend too! It's good to fill your lungs with that sea breeze. Sarah x

[Rosanne (USA)]

Lucy!! I was watching BroadChurch series last night on Netflix and saw the cliffs in Dorset! Wasn't sure if it was the same place but the picture you posted here confirms that it was where they filmed! The white house confirmed my thoughts.

[Penny]

I too live near the ocean and this time of year is also very quiet here. We locals love it this way. So happy you had the chance to reconnect with your folks. Sometimes rebonding with ones parents is needed for the soul.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, healthy 2016. ((hugs))

[Mary]

Happy Christmas to you all Lucy. I hope the sea recharged your batteries for the week ahead!
I too yearn for the sea - my husband cannot understand that I need at least one day out of a holiday to simply sit, walk, watch, smell and see that ever-changing body of water! Still - he does put up with it.
Parents can be unpredictable - I recall having to change my personality depending on which one I was talking to. Not altogether successfully.

[Sarah Hammond]

This lovely, honest post reduced me to tears. I am currently unwell (I'm not even feeling well enough to crochet) confined to bed (a week before Christmas. With four children) and I am yearning for fresh air and countryside. I, too, feel a pull towards the sea (water in general, really) and feel like I have travelled vicariously with you. Thank you.
I hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful Christmas. xx

[Cintia - Sol de Noche {deco crochet}]

Love the landscape I wish I could visit it some day
Merry Christmas Lucy :)
http://soldenochedecocrochet.blogspot.com.ar/

[Susan]

Feel like I've been to the coast now.thanks.happy hols.with calming crochet when I've finished knitting that monkey for my daughter before she goes back to uni.fun fun😊

[Carol]

Love your pictures and it may have been warm enough it imagine it was summer!! Have a lovely family Christmas.

[josiekitten]

Being by the sea never fails to restore me and it is so calming. Great for my well-being (and yours too by the sounds of it.) I so want to go to the Bridport area sometime as my Mum's family lived there for generations. It looks beautiful. Happy holidays to all of you in the Attic. Hope your Christmas is merry and bright. xx

[Vanessa]

Hi Lucy,

I too love the beach at this time of the year. It has a magic all of its own. I will be visiting family on the Gower for the New Year and love the beach walks there. I just wanted to wish you and your family a beautiful Christmas and New Year and I hope 2016 is an utterly awesome one for you. My time is coming to an end posting in blog land. It's been an amazing 6 years and I'll still be reading and commenting, but I'm saying goodbye to posting at the end of the year. You continue to inspire me and I shall continue to crochet in colour......with a bit of pastel thrown in!!!!!!!! Take care my lovely, Vanessa xxxxxx

[Nicola]

Your photos of the cliffs and beach bring to mind a TV show I saw on Netflix. I think it was called Broadchurch. Was it filmed there? I recall it involved someone allegedly falling off the cliff and it looked just like this place. Have a wonderful Christmas and a very colourful crochet-full New Year.

[Megan]

Thank you Lucy for sharing so much of yourself in your blog. I do so enjoy reading what you have been up to and am filling up my house with blankets just like yours!
Merry Christmas to you and your family - I trust 2016 will bring you many blessings xoxo

[Teresa Kasner]

That is wonderful that you took the time to go see your parents. I fully understand the difficult part.. I had a very easy going dad but my mom was a drama queen and got kind of mean in her older years. But just be glad you still have them and can spend time with them even if it's hard. Ours are all gone now. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!!
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*M*E*R*R*Y* * *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)