Recently, I’ve had a real craving for the outdoors. I entered this year with the desire to spend more time outdoors and for a while, I was doing well at getting out, either by myself or with one of or both my boys. Then bad weather hit, as did the coughs and colds. Now, I don’t mind the rain – we’ve got raincoats and wellies for that – but the wind. The wind does not entice me to go outside one bit. Anyone else with me there?!

Anyway, one week on from storm Eunice and having spent an entire weekend indoors, the sunshine was most welcome. It was a Friday afternoon and a friend and I went for a walk on the beach. It was mid-late afternoon, the sun was shining and the breeze was gentle. It was wonderful. Knowing the weather was going to be good the following day, I just knew I had to go back. 

Saturday afternoon came and it was beautiful outside. I persuaded my eldest son (he’s nearly three so it wasn’t too difficult!) to come to the beach with me and when we got there, I knew we were going to have a good time. We parked up on the side of the road and walked to the beach through the golf course. I let Toby decide our route – I like to do that when we have no particular place to go – and I’m glad I did! It was far better than the route I would have taken. 

We walked along the beach through the sand dunes. The light was gorgeous, the tide was in and the spray from the waves was a brilliant white. Toby made his way through the dunes confidently and I loved capturing him on his journey. I think my favourite part of our walk was when he took my hand so he could climb to the top of the sand dune and then seeing his face light up with joy as he slid down the other side. When we got to the bottom, he threw some stones into a large pool of water  before heading to the sea to have a paddle. A paddle that ended with him being knocked over by a wave and falling flat on his face… oops! Needless to say, our trip came to an abrupt, soggy end and this Mumma had to carry her boy all the way back to the car.