Tag sea

A Weekend Getaway

Mishmash Media Blog 2 Comments

Decided to go down to the coast and languish on the beach for a weekend getaway. The weekend weather looked promising and the sun was blazing so it will be warm by the coast, won’t it? With chairs, jumper and a scarf, which resembles a blanket, I thought I’d be warm enough. I was correct. Well, sort of. Although blustery, it felt quite cosy watching the waves, reading my new book and relaxing. The warm sunshine on my face was warm and welcome. Not sure I’ve managed to sit on a British beach before, in March? This trip has been quite uplifting because the British winter seems interminable this year and I’m glad of some sea air.

It is invigorating to get out and about rather than succumbing to cabin fever. I have been known to meander to the sea shore, visit art galleries and enjoy the tranquil break by the sea, doing my own thing.

After a couple of hours, I took off and stopped for a cuppa, which tasted of sawdust, then walked to the pier. Why do cafes provide rubbish tea? The place had a negative atmosphere when I walked in. Maybe it was my windswept look that shocked 😳 them. Or maybe the putrid tea.

The brisk walk became suddenly very brisk. Ok, now it felt a bit chilly, so I admired the floral display and pier, then, turned around and went back, speedily, to the warmth of the car. Was I a bit bonkers to visit the coast on a windy, sunny day in March? Well, it felt great. Always feels like a mini holiday when you spend some time away from your normal environment.

Do you do this? If not, perhhaps you should. But pick the cafe stop wisely.

Broadstairs…

Mishmash Media Blog 2 Comments

The summer is drawing to a close and it is always a good idea to squeeze a few mini breaks in as you can while the glorious weather remains.  Sometimes it is a worthy notion to explore a place you haven’t visited for a while and so Broadstairs became the obvious choice.

The drive through Kent takes about an hour and a half, especially if you attempt the journey during August.  But it is worth it.  Parking is ok for a start and then the day improves as soon as the first glimpse of the beach is spotted.  Broadstairs has seven sandy beaches and bays and the views are spectacular.

20160828_104900

Viking beach has everything for everybody, including beach huts, deck chairs, windbreaks, rides for children, cafes, a harbour and an impressive cliff top promenade that encompasses a band stand, café and park area.  As you saunter along the promenade you will come across cafes, pubs, art shows, gift shops and of course, Dicken’s House Museum.  This was the home of Mary Pearson Strong, who inspired the character Betsey Trotwood in Dickens’ novel, David Copperfield, one of my all-time favourite novels.

20160828_105622

The quaint buildings are a wonderful sight to behold and to be honest, I had forgotten how charming Broadstairs is with the distinctive architecture, independent shops, restaurants, pubs and nostalgic magnetism.

Also, the community spirit seems very much alive.  It has a great music scene (folk festival during a week in August), food and Dickens events during the year.

I really enjoyed a walk along the promenade looking at the enticing surroundings, then visiting the town and lunch in a café with a wishing well in it!  The food was yummy too.  After lunch wandered down to the beach and enjoyed the sun.

So what are the advantages of a day out in Broadstairs?

  • 7 sandy and safe beaches
  • Array of eateries
  • History (Dickens’ Museum etc.)
  • Quirky town (gift shops/pubs/restaurants)
  • Community (Friendly and has many events and festivals)

Really enjoyed the day out and feel Broadstairs is a celebration of a great day out enjoying some sea air.  No wonder it is known as the jewel in the Thanet crown.

Mini break in Weymouth…Sun, sweary lady and genius chip shop man!

Mishmash Media Blog 1 Comment

Is it me, or is the south coast (uk) becoming fashionable again?

It was decided that it would be a super idea to have a long weekend in Weymouth.  After the initial panic of realising that every hotel and B and B had ‘No Vacancies’ in the window, booked a room with breakfast in a small hotel, on the sea front. Confusingly, in a room at the back and you have to go around the side of the hotel to enter it. However, it was clean and ‘newly decorated’, very near the beach and shops so it served the purpose.

Weymouth

Weymouth

On Saturday, the sun shone brightly and I decided to languish on the beach and make use of the neglected kindle.  I like real books but the device is OK on holiday.  I’m reading another Mark Edwards book and devoured, apparently, 50% of it.  Plus, watching the pregnant, smoking, lady screeching at her 6, yes 6, children.  Who, of course, had to plonk themselves next to me.  Not sure whether I was fascinated or mildly irritated.  However, during the afternoon, some soft drizzle descended on us and the sweary lady dissappeared with her brood.  I dragged my chair under a shop roof and was then entertained with another group of youngsters throwing stones at cans.  Clearly, the sign on my forehead ‘noisy groups sit near me’ was working.  But the sun soon returned and the chair was dragged back towards serenity and sunshine.

It was decided that fish and chips would suffice for the evening meal at the conveniently placed chippy near the hotel.  The chip shop man had a spray gun for the vinegar!  This means the salt stuck to the chips and were devine. Chip shop man is a genius.  It is official.

Oh, it does not stop there.  Went to a local pub and was enjoying the dulcet tones of the karaoke, and in walked a subdued gentleman dressed as a bride with his entourage.  (Think my son in law got off lightly as Mario.)  They all ordered drinks and sang Help! (how original) and I looked out of the window and saw a gang of laughing, lively girls dressed as Mexicans (sombreros and capes) coming down the hill towards the pub.  Yes, they came, saw and conquered the karaoke (I can’t get no satisfaction).

When a woman, sitting in the table near us, started slapping a man on his bum with her slipper, I decided I couldn’t take anymore madness, and headed back to the hotel.  Decaf coffee, sanity and sleep.

Day 2 I decided to take the car to Durdle Door and then to the Studland beach.  Parked in a lane nearby and walked and as I reached the Durdle Door car park felt smug and pity as I strolled past the long queues for the pay and display machines.

Durdle Door

Durdle Door

Durdle Door is stunningly beautiful and encompasses everything devine about the English coast and countryside.  The weather was sunny and hot and I climbed down to both of the beaches to enjoy the scenery, so endured a hot workout too.  Studland beach was incredibly busy and difficult to park.  Only stayed for a couple of hours and then returned to Weymouth.

The third day was spent on the beach and travelling home.  Another weekend over which was rather eventful, had splendid scenery and fabulous weather.  Felt great to visit the south coast again, and next time I won’t leave it so long.

Thank you for reading about my adventures and don’t forget to follow here and on twitter.  @mishmashmedia_