End of a Perfect Day

When we dream of retirement what is it that would make a perfect day? For many it will be foreign travel, for others engaging in their favourite hobbies while for some it may even be taking on new challenges.

Three and a half years into retirement and today was what I always dreamt it would be like. A relatively lazy start to the day with breakfast on the veranda looking out to a sun kissed sea with newspaper in hand. Time to listen to the sounds of nature and take in the beauty of our surroundings. This morning as I sipped my coffee the Cuckoo sang loudly from the trees on the hill above our house, the sandpiper sounded its incessant call to nearby chicks while in the distance the Oyster Catchers added more notes to this ornithological orchestra that is summer.

The boat was made ready and Mrs B prepared a picnic to be had wherever the wind might take us. In the event there was little wind and we sailed gently south to a seal colony where we dropped anchor and had lunch. I was surrounded by seal blips but a bobbing boat and swimming seals meant only fuzzy blips! We meandered back to Waterfoot to catch the ebbing tide with a line cast to tempt any passing fish. None were tempted!

After some lazing about in the sun it was time for pre dinner drinks in the garden with a gentle breeze to keep the midges away. After dinner we made the most of the low tide and paddled across the river before walking the length of the beach and back again. As we walked the sun was starting to set over the hills above Carradale Glen and the air got colder.

Signs are it will be yet another lovely day tomorrow!