Beaches

Since I was last here, which was yonks ago, me and the kidlets have enjoyed two holidays over in Santa Monica in sunny California, the only perk of having a husband working out in LA!

We first came out at Easter then again in summer. How lucky are we? Although the hubby has been working through the week {booooo!} but at least we've been able to enjoy time together at the weekends.

The odd sunday, we've taken a drive half hour up the coast to the beaches of Malibu. We've been here many times before, mr H and I, way before married life and parenthood so it's been nice to bring the children, and obviously such a different experience. 

I don't know why but almost every time we've been to this part of the coast it's always a bit grey and misty. I do love beaches when they are grey and misty. 

I much prefer a windswept stroll along a rugged coastline through salty sea mists than lying on a towel under the burning sun.

We've beach combed for shells, pebbles and seaweedy bits for castle adornment and even spotted the odd whale or pod of passing of dolphins - always a treat! 

We've balanced on rocks and looked at wildlife in the tidepools at Leo Carrillo State Park and watched the sun set while supping mojitos {for mama and papa} and enjoyed the catch of the day at the aptly named and my absolutely favorite place to hang out,  Paradise Cove.

I think out of everything these coastal trips are going to be what the little lady will miss the most when we {very shortly} head back to Blighty ... well, actually, maybe second to Disneyland...!

pretty pastel style

Yesterday was miserably grey, damp and gloomy but for a little haven of pastel perfection in the midst of market day in Kingston-Upon-Thames.

It was the book launch/craft fair of Pretty Pastel Style by Selina Lake and I was uber excited about this when I realised it was hosted in my local town.

Lucky for me, Granny of the Icy North came to look after the children. It was so very nice having a couple of hours as me without the arm pulling and ankle grabbing of a four year old and a one year old.

Although that said, I seemed to over compensate for their absence by managing to knock over and disturb the delicate display of almost everything I went to have a looksee at! Which made my vintage shopping/ knitty cohort, Ms F, chuckle greatly.

But we bought lots. We oohed and we ahhed at all the lovely handmade stalls, we ate cupcakes and drank proper teapot tea from proper vintage cups and saucers on floral fabric covered tables with pretty posies in glass jars and swathes of bunting galore. 

Some of my favourites, and places I loitered, knocked things over, then bought stuff, loitered some more then bought even more stuff, were Anna Wiscombe, Mabel & Bird, Love Lane Vintage and Abigail Warner.

Most importantly I bought Selina's new book which she signed while we had a wee chat. She is very lovely. Her book is very beautiful. It sure is a pretty distraction from this horrible weather. Snow? Is it really Easter next week? Bbbrrr....

✴ winkworth arboretum...

...on a cold, wet sunday afternoon.

Starting with a very welcome pit stop for hot soup and cheese toasties in the cafe and deciding that the rain was probably not going to stop any time soon, we braved the cold and drizzle of the great outdoors.

Suitably attired in wellies and waterproofs it was evident that it really wouldn't take too long for the littlest member of the group to end up with soggy and mud splashed trousers after a good session of puddle jumping. 

Despite picking probably the worst afternoon to visit this idyllic National Trust spot, everything still looked beautiful and spring like. Patches of daffodils and snowdrops carpeted the mulchy earth and raindrops clung to budding branches like crystals, catching small rays of light through the dark ominous clouds above. Delicate pale green lichen hung from branches looking like clusters of seaweed washed up and left behind by the salty sea. So pretty. 

After a bit of wandering and a lot of pondering over a damp and just slightly bit confusing map we eventually came across an old, weather worn boathouse. Believed to have been built around the turn of the century, the National Trust have kept it quite untouched and rustic inside with a few oars nestled in the rafters, a slightly crumbling wooden canoe on the floor and fish trophies on the walls. A couple of comfy whicker settees and chairs have been placed by the open doors leading to the small balcony over looking the lake and on a side table, an old chess set, perhaps to while away the long tedious wait for a bite { I don't really get fishing...}. The perfect place to hide out from the rain with a hot flask of tea....um...if only we'd been so prepared..!

A walk in the woods on a rain soaked day which holds such romantic captivation for lovelorn couples can be tantamount to trauma with a toddler in tow. For many reasons; 

one, a small person will positively insist on holding the map/umbrella/camera... in fact anything other than your hand... two, a small person is incapable of walking along a designated path choosing instead the most muddiest embankments, deepest puddles and steepest verges and any other route with a slight element of danger, along which to tread... three, at some point, and maybe even more than once, a small person is guaranteed to 'step out' of a wellie boot and will therefore require carrying the rest of the way back to the car while bemoaning the "wet sock..." they are now sporting.

Happy weekend.

✴ out of season

There is something enchanting and a little bit magical about a British seaside on a grey blustery day, out of season.

Ghostly, with remnants of Victorian architecture, dilapidated and rusting from the harsh salty sea. It saddens my heart to see the deterioration and loud, tacky intrusion of the rides and the games arcades.

Why is no money invested into the restoration of these British treasures?

Once, amazingly grand and beautifully ornate.  Now, run down and slowly crumbling into the sea. 

 Promenade :: Pavillion :: Esplanade 

Candy Floss :: Peppermint Rock :: Fish & Chips

{Sunday in Southsea}