The Big Sur

Today was my birthday and it started as brilliantly as it finished - on the beach. Before breakfast I was out for a walk along the golden sands with Kymba and then returned for a leisurely breakfast in our B&B, sitting outside in the warmth. Later we went for a drive around Carmel with its chic shops and beautiful houses, many of which had fabulous views of the large beach and all of which had wonderful gardens jammed packed full of shrubs and plants providing both shade and privacy. Then we drove back south for a while along the coastal road, from where we had been diverted yesterday, and came across the most wonderful scenery. (We heard today that the road yesterday was closed for 3 hours due to the accident, so we had made the correct decision to divert.)

I took so many photos along the way but decided on this one as I love it and it is very typical of the area, known as the Big Sur, where cliffs and rocks are often shrouded in sea mist formed when cold air above the Pacific meets the warm land mass. The brown areas in the foreground are large clumps of seaweed some of which also lie on the beach, marking the high water mark. The scenic road hugs the rugged coastline, reminiscent of the Amalfi coast with the exception that here giant redwoods grace part of the route providing very welcome shade especially today in the unseasonably warm temperature.

This evening we managed to get to the beach in time for a glorious sunset, joining many other photographers - maybe even a blipper or two - as we stood on the sand watching the sun sink below the horizon. Once the spectacle was over we lit a portable BBQ and cooked kebabs, burgers and marshmallows which we enjoyed with a Californian Chardonnay. By this time it was quite dark and as we had forgotten to bring a torch A used his mobile phone screen to provide sufficient light to check everything was properly cooked! We stayed on the beach until the large moon began to rise and then slowly made our way back to our rooms. A perfect day and a truly memorable birthday for me.

By the way, this photo was taken with my son's camera as he let me have a play with it today as a special birthday treat.