the smell of the sea

What does the seaside smell like? Today it was doughnuts and fish n'chips. We were on the pier at Brighton, whipped by an icy wind off the sea. I love the seaside out of season, the deserted beach and the empty Ferris wheel.

We had come down by bus to visit my sister and her children. Her flat smelt of the feast she had cooked up for us, a delicious array of Indian dishes.

We left my two small neices in their pyjamas, ready for bed. I'm sad that it will be months before I see them again.