Saturday 10 September 2016

sometimes - coming home is harder than leaving ...



So, here I am, back from a break at the coast.  I always feel a little discombobulated when I come home; changing one lifestyle for another; metamorphosing from feral creature to a tame one, prowling in a cage.  Coastal living suits me; the idea of drifting around in old shorts and t-shirts faded from salt-spray, comfortable sandals on my feet; a simple way of living; packing a few essentials in a case; no need for many possessions - I like that.

 

A real break for me is not having to cook; eating simple, small dishes prepared by someone else everyday is a real treat, especially when sea food is involved.  I love being outdoors all day too. Sea breezes help to take the edge off the heat, and feeling the sun lightly kissing your skin without making you feel too hot, is a joy.


I felt no compulsion to be connected to the internet; no need to keep in touch with the world; I didn't even open my journal whilst I was away; I simply needed to escape and enjoy, without feeling the need to communicate in any way.  Do you feel like that sometimes?


Trying to find places where there were few holidaymakers was difficult as the lovely weather drew people out; but, mostly we managed to keep away from the crowds; which suited me just fine.


Now we are back home and the weather has turned from sun to rain; I am tempted to say that the garden needs it; but I won't.  Everything is flourishing here; tomatoes have ripened; plums need picking before they all fall; the ground beneath the fruit trees is littered with over-ripe fruit that couldn't wait for our return.  All jobs will have to be put on hold till the rain stops.


Getting back into a routine is always difficult for me; so I ease my way back into things slowly; taking refuge in my books, and ignoring the piles of washing and shopping for food that needs to be done. There's always another day!


In my mind's eye I am back by the sea shore looking out at the vastness of blue stretching to the horizon with longing in my heart; thinking of how soon I can return to where my soul is soothed.

Sometimes - coming home is harder than leaving.

45 comments:

  1. It all looks very quiet along the Norfolk beaches in your photos and in Wells-next-the-Sea. Last time I went to the coast even during the school holidays I thought how quiet it was. The perfect place for a holiday. You sound like you really enjoyed it. Perhaps you should move there one day. I never feel like I want to be away from the internet/mobile phone, maybe I should try it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rachel
      It was relatively quiet being late in the season but you had to chose where you went to avoid too many people - at least the children had gone back to school. We have often thought of moving down there but the property prices on the coast are way out of our reach and living inland would defeat the object - but I can always dream. I actually didn't miss the internet at all - it was a relief to get away from it for a few days.

      Delete
  2. My dear Elaine, we are kindred spirits on this post. Perhaps it is the Piscean in us :)
    I love the sea and the beach bum way of life.
    I dream of living in Cornwall, a house on the cliff top, a view that is endless.

    I am glad you had good weather, good food, and time to reflect.

    Welcome home.......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your welcome back Cheryl - yes, maybe it is the Piscean love of being next to water - although I'm not sure you can have lady beach bums :) but I know what you mean. Cornwall would be good too, perhaps we could be neighbours - you on your cliff top, me on mine - now there's a thought :)

      Delete
  3. Photo number 3 looks very hot - it does take time to adjust back into the old routine again after a holiday, but I suppose that is really what holidaying is all about - a time to relax, do with the day whatever you feel like, and enjoy yourself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had some really hot days Rosemary, so different from hot days when you are at home - strange that. I would have liked more time to sit awhile, find a nice spot and read but Dave has to be on the go, which means it can be a bit tiring, but good all the same.

      Delete
  4. Sounds close to perfection to me. And I love that word - discombobulated!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not far off perfection Sue. Great word isn't it - not sure I used it in the right sense - but it kind of fits.

      Delete
  5. A break from everyday hubbub is balm for the soul. Your photos show the peacefulness of your time at the beach. My husband loves the sea, so we've already planned another trip in the spring. After winter snows, it will be something we'll anticipate, I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do so agree Barb - a change of scenery and routine has done me the world of good. Oh yes after your long winter a trip to the sea will be just what you need to put a spring in your step again.

      Delete
  6. I too love the coast and the thought of coastal living. I just feel so free when I'm on the beach and rejuvenated. Those are lovely photographs. I dream of a cottage near the sea, a little bolt hole from everyday life. Maybe one day! Jane x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure everyone feels like we do - but there is just something about the lifestyle that I love. Of course I may not feel the same way if I lived there permanently, especially in winter, when things can be a bit bleak, but I wouldn't mind giving it a go! A little bolt hole by the sea sounds perfect :)

      Delete
  7. The main thing I love about our Brighton home is being just a short walk from the sea. Maybe we'll return to over-Winter there some time if sawing logs becomes a chore. I can sit all day watching the small lapping waves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Excellent idea - although we all know that aint going to happen :)

      Delete
  8. I know how you feel (although I personally don't like the sea-side). I hope you feel comfortable at home again soon, and that the weather improves for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does take me a while to settle back down and the weather has improved already - the rain was much needed though.

      Delete
  9. As I grew up near to the sea I always shall love the sea. On holidays we are always disconnected with internet and the social media. We just have our mobil phone to have contact with the homefront, only for eventual calamities. Like you I spend my days mainly outside and now the weather is sunny and dry we even sleep outside on the porch, it feels so fresh and healthy. I only had to get used to the noises of the horses in their paddock nextdoors, it's as if they never go to sleep. I sometimes awake and hear funny noises which I usually don't hear by day, but these are of the horses. In the silence of the night you can hear them scraping and groaning.
    Hope you get used to be home again, haha.
    Wish you a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it is good to get away from social media for a while I agree. I love the idea of sleeping beneath the stars but at the moment the evenings are very chilly and would definitely need a couple of hot water bottles to help keep warm :) Horses do indeed make lots of noises that you wouldn't necessarily notice in the day time. I am slowly getting used to being back home - it doesn't take long to get back into the old routines does it - needs must, as they say.

      Delete
  10. I love the way that we're all different ....... it doesn't matter what holiday I've been on or for how long but I love coming home !!! I love a holiday and always enjoy myself but I can't wait to get back and see how the garden is doing and to have a roast dinner !!!!!
    Lovely that you had a nice break ...... now you can enjoy the English Autumn. XXXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't get me wrong I feel like that too most of the time, the garden being my main concern, and of course at the beginning of the year going home filled me with dread after the flooding. This time a friend came round to check on the house just to make sure, so I could have stayed away quite happily for a while longer.

      Delete
  11. Oh how I want to pack a bag and just go, I don't even know where and I haven't much money, but I cant bare this awful daily existence. I feel I'm going to implode. Your trip looks heavenly xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like you want a few lungsful of good sea air to put you right Carrie - going to the sea always makes me feel better somehow.

      Delete
  12. A most enjoyable post and lovely pictures. It's one that I certainly relate to as it's my idea of a perfect getaway. Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Flighty - it's my idea of a perfect getaway too :)

      Delete
  13. Maybe if you did live on the coast all the time, some of the appeal would fade. Often the yearning for something you can't have is better than achieving the dream. Where you live seems idyllic to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I quite agree Sue - but sometimes it is nice to have a dream.

      Delete
  14. I understand the need to escape totally, I did it with some friends recently when we went camping for a long weekend. Given a choice I'd always live by the coast, I miss it so much having been brought up within walking distance of the Norfolk beaches. Enjoy your time at home this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Su. Already I am exhausted after only a few days - things do tend to pile up when you are away from home. I so envy you being brought up not far from the sea - my spiritual home.

      Delete
  15. A lovely selection of photos from your holiday. The coast is the perfect place to escape to with those beautiful sights and sounds and that feeling of vast space beyond. After all this hot weather, it feels fresher there, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Wendy. We don't visit the coast often enough for my liking but holidays are expensive aren't they, however cheaply you try to live whilst there. I just love the atmosphere; the quiet mornings with the water still just the seabirds for company - and the evenings taking a stroll as the light goes - oh you've got me going again :)

      Delete
  16. I agree that it's hard to get back into routine again after being away. I usually need a whole day of doing nothing before I feel like getting organized! Lovely photos of your time away.
    Coastal living does sound rather wonderful and a perfect place to retire to. Many people do seem to do just that.
    I'm going away at the end of this week and the biggest treat is not having to cook or do housework or all the other mundane things that need to be done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is just what I do Sandra - ease myself back into things. Of course autumn is a busy time in the garden, getting everything put to rights before winter, so I hardly feel as if we have been away - oh well - back to the grind. Enjoy your time away.

      Delete
  17. How I got everything you wrote here, especially that wonderful sense of freedom and being feral, I just love that feral feeling! At least you can always visit when you have the urge to run wild....I hate routine, but I suppose we all have to have them, it makes those liberating periods of time that much more special.Just love those pics, I swear I could smell the sea.Good to have you back.xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad we are on the same wavelength Dina - I wish I had run wild earlier in life instead of leaving it till its almost too late, but I was too busy being a good girl - doing my duty etc. I am beginning to think I missed out on a lot of things :(

      Delete
  18. I always like to get away from everything when on holiday, although it's nice to come home too and walk on the beach again. Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are fortunate to have the beach to come home to. I do wonder if you live at the coast, where do you go on holiday - do you go somewhere inland just for the change of scene?

      Delete
  19. Welcome back friend. I loved seeing your beautiful peaceful places of respite. Nothing like the vastness of a body of water to feed the soul. So glad it was a good break. Have a super week. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Debbie. It was a lovely break - and the sea was as calm as a millpond - I just wanted to float away on the tide (but the water was too cold :)

      Delete
  20. Welcome back.
    I always love to see your photo's.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh Elaine, I definitely agree with all you say in the post. Love that wild feeling you get when you are away, the complete change of timetable and the relaxation. It does take a while to get back into things, I always say that I'm going to try and hold on to that relaxed outlook as long as I can when I get back but it soon goes!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I know what you mean Annie - not so easy when you are back at home :)

      Delete
  22. So, So true. Here no beach, but we do have mountains. We load up the camp trailer and head to the hills, as we say here. No technology, just the mountains. Peace and quiet. I do have to cook, but somehow food tastes better at high altitude. Loved your beach photos. I'd like it there, too.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Mountains are good too - just getting away from it all is what it's all about.

    ReplyDelete
  24. lovey way of sharing loved your words and expressions ,agrre that going back to routine is difficult sometime and getting back to home is harder then leaving especially when one is in search of deep peace of soul and mind and eyes reveal the true aspect behind visible scenes .
    have a glorious day dear

    ReplyDelete