Warmer than Summer!

The last few days have been glorious. So still and calm and with sunshine - indeed I think it's been warmer than most of our summer!  So I've been taking time to wander along the shore and just soak up the sunshine before the real Autumn presents itself again. Which, according to the forecast, is the end of this week with sleety rain and "snow on high ground".

Now OK I live on an island surrounded by water, but I do love walking along the beach and just listening to the waves lapping the shore. Before I moved to Orkney in 2000 I had dreamed of living "by the sea". But the most I could hope for living in the expensive South East of England was maybe a glimpse of the sea from an attic window and maybe a short (20 minute) walk to the beach on a seaside coastal town somewhere in England.

Clearly I needed to dream bigger!  Because yes I ended up with the beach just a few yards from my doorstep and most days I can walk upon it without another person in sight. (OK it required a major move North to achieve this but still!). Sheer bliss.....  Stunning views and big skies - and not an amusement arcade or ice cream stall in view.  My own private paradise!  Sometimes I need to remind myself just how lucky I am! :-)

This looks back along the "Shell Beach" to what were some old cottages and workshop - now falling onto the shore because of coastal erosion.

I think you might get wet feet if you tried sailing in this wee boat! It's pretty though.

The old Sandside pier and the old Steading at Sandside.

And yes, here is Button the Beach Cat!  The sand looks pure white here because it's actually shell sand.

And coral....cold water coral (merl) as well as lots of tiny shells....beautiful!

And much appreciated by all the kids (young and old) as well as by Princess Button!