Blogtober 2023 :: Day 20

Blogtober Day 20 :: Friday

After the high emotion of yesterday, today my main priority was to spend some quiet time alone to decompress and recharge. You all know how happy it makes me to be beside the sea, so there was no question about what I needed to do, only which part of the coast would suit me best. On the spur of the moment I decided to hop on a bus and head west.....

....and twenty five scenic minutes later I was walking down through the terraced gardens at Lyme Regis.

As you can see, Storm Babet had well and truly moved on, leaving behind a warm and sunny day here on the south coast. It was so warm in fact, that I had to shed some layers and enjoyed being in short sleeves for a while - what a treat to experience 17 degrees in late October, especially given that the north of the country is in serious disarray due to the stormy weather.

I pottered around the beach, following the curve of the sea down to the little line of beach side kiosks where I bought myself an ice cream. I sat for a while on the harbour wall, enjoying the sun on my face and feeling lighter in my heart than I have for quite some time.

Ice cream done and dusted, I continued to walk around the harbour....

...following the lower level of the Cobb as it reaches out into the sea. Just look at those old, weathered stone steps which you can climb to reach the upper level of the Cobb wall, aren't they wonderful?

I retraced my steps after a while and made my way back around to the beach, stopping to simply sit a while and listen to the sound of the waves.

I can't think of anything that would have made me happier today than sitting on a sunny beach listening to the sound of the sea ♥ it was an absolute tonic. Vitamin Sea at it's finest.

Walking brings me a lot of inner peace, and so onwards I strolled, along the promenade and all the way along Church Cliff Walk. The tide was high at the time I was there, and it was wonderful to stand a while and watch the waves crashing up against the wall.

Time to wander back towards the town again as I don't have too long until my bus leaves to take me back.

Up the steep main street, browsing the windows of the charming array of independent shops and bakeries. I wasn't in the mood to shop, but it's always lovely to see towns with thriving shops and businesses. 2 o'clock and I was suddenly very hungry so I popped into a bakery to pick up a small pasty on my way up the hill.

I made my way back to the gardens where I had started my Lyme wanderings today, and sat on that wonderful mosaic bench to eat my pasty with a view out over the beach and sea. You can get a good view of the Cobb wall and harbour from up here....and I have to tell you my pasty was absolutely amazing. It was warm and fresh with buttery, flaky pastry and a very generous amount of filling (Devon pasties are a mix of beef and vegetables, in case you aren't familiar with them)

I loved the bus journey, and yes of course I sat on the top deck so that I could maximise the coastal views all the way to Bridport. Back in town, I stopped to buy a lovely bunch of flowers for Lady B - the past few days have been really hard for her, and I wanted to try and cheer her up a bit. We sat for a while in her sunny apartment and drank a glass of prosecco, and then I took us both out to a rather bougie little bistro for a delicious dinner.

All in all, today was exactly the restorative day that I needed and I feel a million times better than I did yesterday. This morning I was able to sit and read all your beautiful words in response to yesterday's post and let me tell you they have helped me enormously. I feel happier in my heart and soul than I have for quite a while. Day twenty of Blogtober and all is good.

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Comments

[Donna]

You must listen to "Heart shaped stone" by Kathyrn Williams, I love this song and so beautiful and always makes me think of the beach and will make you think of your seaside happy memories

[CJ]

What a lovely day out, it's a beautiful place, and I hope you felt a little better for going. I had been wondering how Lady B was and thinking about you both. Glad that you had some time together and dinner out, that sounds lovely. Sending all the hugs, CJ xxxxx

[Janice]

I’m so pleased that you are a little more at peace now. Lyme Regis is an ideal place to unwind. We visited way back in 2011, when touring the UK by motorcycle, after having read about it on your blog. I hope you can return home knowing that things will be easier for your Dad and Lady B.

[Linda]

So glad you have your Dad settled at last. You can stop worrying now.
My Mum went into dementia care 9 years ago now. She didn’t know me then!
My sister had looked after Mum and her husband, our stepfather (98 and in a wheelchair), and it was time for them to go into care.
It was hard for Andy, but Mum was oblivious. She was very pleased with the Care Home, exclaiming enthusiastically about all the features. It was tough for Andy because he didn’t have dementia, and he shut down and didn’t last long. Mum went on for 4 years and it was so easy for her. We felt it was a good decision.
I’ve made sure everyone knows that when I get to that state I don’t want to be a nuisance. They are to find a good Care Home for me, and check monthly that I’m ok. I won’t need visiting every day…..! They are not to feel guilty…..!

[Veronica Howard]

Lyme Regis is a beautiful place I used to take my children there when they were little many moons ago. Loved the heart shaped stone. I also love the sound of the waves and the smell of the sea . It very soothing for your soul.

[Michelle Gladwish]

So happy your heart is healing xx

[Pam]

Lucy, I’m so glad the sea has restored you a little. I live just along the coast at Exmouth where we have a 2 mile sandy beach which always alters with the storms. When my husband had a fishing trawler we used to go to Bridport Gundry quite a bit- I don’t know if you remember it. Anyway, hopefully now you can relax a bit knowing your Dad is being cared for. By the way I loved the little heart shaped stone.

[Tracy]

Glad your heart feels lighter.Never been to Lyme Regis but it looks lovely. 💖

[Jacqui]

AHhh lovely as always ! I definately need some vitamin c .....just because !!!!😂

[Sue]

So pleased you have had a Vitamin sea day Lucy, it's so important to look after yourself after the hard emotional time's you're been having recently. I hope when you start your journey home all the disruption from Storm Babet has eased.

[ChrisG]

So pleased for you that you got that dose of ‘Vitamin Sea’ (I love that 😊) and Thankyou for taking us on your meanderings and letting us share the fresh clean sky and air, it’s a tonic on this wild, wet morning in Surrey. Take care and all the best to you and Lady B as you support each other and your Dad in this next phase of Life. It’s a privilege to be a part of your experiences, thank you for sharing 🙏🏼

[Dawn]

Love to you, Lucy and to Lady B x

[Elizabeth]

What a lovely day you had, just about as perfect as a day can get. I am so happy that you can now exhale! While I'm sure there is still a bit of worry in the back of your mind, I am just as sure that it will gradually ebb, until you are back to your normal self. Here's to lightness of being!

[Conni]

I’m glad you’re feeling a little better. What you are going through is so hard, but, I have to admit, I am loving hearing from you each day. Bless you, Lucy.

[Cynthia Acheson]

Happy to see you taking the time for some self-care right now. Do what you need to I order to replenish your joy.

Do you think those steps on the Cobb are the ones that Louisa Musgrove jumped from? 😉

[Ruthie]

Dear Lucy, sending love and thoughts to you and Lady B. I’m so glad you have had exactly the sort of day you needed. You deserve it. Hopefully you will be able to have quality time with your dad now, instead of all the worry and stress that dementia brings. It takes so much from everyone involved.
Lyme Regis looked as lovely as ever, thank you for your posts.

[Ruth]

I am glad today was a good day for you! I live in Arizona(SW of the USA) and one of my favorite places to eat is The Cornish Pasty Company. They make many varieties.Thanks for blogging during this difficult time; I love your photography. I often want to book my next trip to the UK after reading your posts!

[Rosemary]

In the states we have pasties in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I have eaten some when traveling and they never disappoint. I have never seen them elsewhere though.

[Ida]

Dear Lucy,
I have read your Blog and your posts about this difficult time in life. A song came to my mind and it is called "This too shall pass" Here is the link to the song with
Jolanda Adams.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMBRZX5juTw
Paste it on YouTube.

I wish you all the best and there will be calm again, and there will be rest again.
Ida

[Deirdre Grehan]

I know what you're experiencing is very hard. But it is what is best . We all hope that we don't have to make these decisions. You will a find more peaceful place and your relationship with your father will be better as you know he's safe and will be well looked after. X
Sending you and lady B lots of ❤

[Wendy F]

Awww Lucy that sounds just the sort of day you needed, I am glad it did you some good. Lyme is my most favourite place to stay, in fact the little flat I stay in appears in a photo :) To listen to the sound of the waves on the pebbles is just wonderful and so healing. The Bell Cliff does the most amazing cream teas if you go again but yes the pasties are lovely.
I was thinking of you today and thought Lyme would be a lovely place for you to go so that's a real coincidence :) That's lovely you were able to go and have a nice meal with Lady B, she will miss your dad.
I don't very often post but have followed your blog for many years almost from the start, thank you for all you do for us. You take care and look after yourself and hope you have a good journey home. Lots of love xx

[Debbie Tristram]

Lyme is a good place to restore us, especially at this time of year. I'm glad you had a better day.

[Norma]

Good to hear you sounding much more relaxed & settled knowing your Dad & Lady B are a bit more settled.
It's been a difficult time for everyone involved, but you've been a very loyal daughter and advocate for what's best for everyone in your Dad's life.
Time for you to take stock of your own health & get back to the family. Big hugs to them all & thanks for taking me on this journey.

[Karen James]

Lyme Regis is one of my favourite places and we try and visit often. I love the ammonite lamp posts! xx

[Charlotte]

A weight lifted from you, the sun smiling on you, a lovely little town by the seaside and prosecco with a friend...a pretty perfect day. You deserved it, Lucy! Cx