I had my first Welsh class today, which I enjoyed, and it finished at 3pm. As I left, I caught sight of the sea, and on impulse, drove towards it so I could go for a walk on the prom. I found a parking space right opposite Charlies, walked round the corner to the wholefood shop to buy a bottle of kombucha, because I've never tried it and I'm curious, and oats, because I'm running low. I then popped into Charlies to enquire about seed potatoes (main crop not in yet, not sure if they'll be getting Sarpo this year, so the convenient parking space wasn't quite as valuable as it might have been) before going down to the sea.
It was incredibly beautiful. The sea was calm and the sky was flecked with clouds, lit gold by the low sun. I walked along for a while, then headed back before I exceeded my one hour parking. By the time I left, there was no sign of starlings. This was a little disappointing, but you know what that means? No starlings at 4pm means that we are no longer in the dead of winter. The nights are drawing out and, though there may be plenty of cold weather to come, spring is on its way.
I drove home with the sun behind me and the golden light on the hills ahead. Now, it has been dark for some hours, the sky is clear and the moon is bright. All is beautiful.
I'm sorry I don't have photos to show you; I didn't have the camera with me in town and I don't know how to use it well enough for moonlit phtotography.
The title of this post, by the way, is taken from a book by Malcolm Pryce. It's a very silly book, and very funny if you happen to like his sense of humour.
It sounds beautiful... I can't wait for spring.
ReplyDeleteBTW - "prom"? In my world a prom is a high school dance. I'm guessing you're using it as some sort of shortened version of "promenade"? Maybe?
Yes that's right, prom short for promenade, the length of which is determined by the attention span of a donkey, according to Malcolm Pryce (I told you he was silly). It's a length of pavement - usually with a road alongside, but not necessarily, now I come to think of it, walking being the primary activity on a promenade - between buildings and the beach.
DeleteI had the same question. Thanks for the answer.
DeleteI'll have to see if I can get Malcolm Pryce at my library.
I didn't think about it when I was writing it, but I suppose the promenade is a very British feature of seaside towns.
DeleteMalcolm Pryce wrote a series of six books set in (an alternative) Aberystwyth, starting with Aberystwyth Mon Amour. I'd be interested to know what you make of it, if you can get hold of a copy!
I've never been to Aberystwyth but my sister used to work in The Treehouse & I was so envious of her seaside lunch breaks! She lives just across the estuary in Aberdyfi. I'll wave a hello to you next time we drive up ;)
ReplyDeleteLet me know and I'll wave back ;-)
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