Keeping Cosy

It was a stormy night with driving rain and strong gusts of wind, but the shepherds hut kept me warm and dry. Come the morning I had a lazy breakfast accompanied by the radio, then read while I waited for the rain to clear.

As I left the hut I met my hosts who invited me into their home for a cup of tea. Fascinating people who having grown up in this locality, were able to speak in detail about the natural and social history, as well our shared interests in organic gardening and apple orchards!

I spent the afternoon at Pagham Harbour watching the salt marshes gradually reveal themselves as the sea receded. The area is renowned for its bird life and I was able to see waders including red shanks and curlew. Most lovely of all were the scatterings of primroses and violets along the verges and fields.

I returned to Bracklesham Bay for a walk along the beach before returning to the hut to light the stove and get a drink of tea, and begin reading the books that my hosts kindly leant to me earlier in the day.