On the beach...

Today was a wonderful day. I swam in the sea (see beach blip). Twice. It was brilliant. It was the first time I've been in the sea since I went to Australia. Five years ago! I've been a bit chicken since then. One of my silly hang ups that I'm doing something about - challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone. Even more silly since I love, love, love the water and swimming.

I slept well again and woke about 8am. After a nice shower and breakfast, we scrambled the children and headed to Shoreham beach instead of the pool which is what we'd planned. What a great decision. Whilst it was a bit windy the waves were cracking and the sea was really warm. B and I took E in first but he was a bit of a girl and got cold so went back to play with his football cards on the towels!

Then Be came in and swam out with me and we spent a good 40 minutes jumping and diving into the waves, swimming, screaming and laughing. I had a nice break on the towels and a good chat with B then C arrived and we all went in again. By this time it was really sunny but the wind had got up so the waves were even better. I've caught the sun too which is a bonus.

I didn't think I'd like swimming in the English sea quite as much as I did and wish I'd been brave enough to go in in Kent now! Still, I've got a week and a bit in west Wales in a week's time so I'm nicely set up to enjoy that now.

We got back from the beach at 2.30pm and I sensibly drove home to avoid the late afternoon exodus. Good decision. I had music radio on loud, the windows down and made good time.

I bought two cases of vino back with me and L got one as a 'thank you' and birthday pressie combined. I've been sitting in the garden rather exhausted since getting home (enjoying my new Birkenstocks). It's the sea air wot's done it!