At Last
Thornwick Bay, Yorkshire
After five months we made it to the sea.
As we drove along the road to the coast, tantalising glimpses of sparkling blue on the horizon could be seen beyond the golden fields. It had felt like forever since we had last made this journey, and the joy and excitement that bubbled up as we drew nearer to our destination made me feel like a little child at Christmas.
Our wild, rugged, beautiful, glorious coast.
What a sweet relief it was to inhale the tang of salty air again, inhaling deeply to try, hopelessly, to retain the essence of the shore deep within. To stand barefoot on the shingle, and listen to the roar of the waves, while watching streamers of gannets fly in low lines above the horizon to Bempton Cliffs, and puffins bobbing about on the waves.
Time by the sea, although just the one day, allowed me to forget for a while about all the challenges and strains of the last few months. It allowed me to lay back on a blanket and close my eyes to the sun and dream.
There was a strong cool wind blowing in off the sea, sunburning our skin without us realising, good food and conversation. I found myself thinking about the last six months, and what a journey it’s been. I recognised the need to adapt to the slower pace of Summer, to sketch out my plans for the rest of the year and to begin gathering what I need to make them happen while at the same time allowing it to be a restorative time too. My mind, body and spirit feel like they’ve been caught up in the swirl of a tornado since March, and while this pandemic isn’t over, it is a time to let go of the deep anxiety that grew around it, to be braver in venturing out to places (safely), and to regain a sense of adventure and purpose.
I’m hoping to paint this Summer, to write, and to travel beyond the boundaries of Yorkshire again. I’m planning self care and dreaming bigger. Coming to our East Coast was so exhilarating and necessary for me, to jump in the car and see Summer unfolding in places other than our back yard. I can’t wait for our next adventure now.
