Up at the first sliver of light, we hopped in the car and made our way to a local beach south of the New Forest, the air still with its fresh morning chill. The previous day’s beach escape hadn’t quite worked out as planned, having arrived a little too late to miss the crowds making the sandy shores their home for the day. This time around we committed ourselves fully and were rewarded with an almost empty beach, minus two older ladies braving the freezing cold sea water at this time of day.
We meandered slowly down the wooden steps, the morning’s breeze invigorating our senses in a way the forest never could. The light at this time was beautiful, the sea the brightest blue we’ve seen in England. Beach huts were perched higgledy-piggledy on the corroding cliffs, a landscape of pastels lending the shingle beach its relaxed, laid-back feel. Feet sinking into the pebbles, we wandered along the shore, stopping to search for razor clams and take in our scenery.
As lovely as the forest is, this change of landscape was everything I had been longing for. These morning beach outings may just become a new way to enjoy what’s on our doorstep while we can.
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