Life is strange

That's the best excuse I've heard for my chunky thighs !

I read a theory that women of years ago would wade and forage in the sea to supplement the anything the men caught whilst hunting.
Hence a lot of women carry extra weight around their thighs. its a throwback from our past.

Luckygirl, me too!

Didn't we evolve from the sea? Perhaps that explains our deep-seated yearning for it.

Selkies (Scotland Ireland and Iceland legend)
Humans on land, seals in the sea.
Kelpies are their fresh water (Loch) counterparts.

Oh ok, we are Selkies ?

Selkies?

We are water babies ? mermaids ?

This thread is making me homesick for the seaside towns where I was brought up. I didn’t appreciate them enough when I was young and yearn for them now. I can’t go to a beach anywhere without plodging in the sea and getting sand between my toes. Luckily I can still do that a lot, but nothing compares to the sight of the sea from your bedroom window, or being able to walk along a deserted prom and smell that sea air whenever you want (and yes, sometimes the sort that smells of fish and chips and candy floss as well as seaweed! ). The only thing that trumps living by the sea is living by your family, which is why I’ll never go back unless they all come with me.

When we lived in the centre of England, I missed the sea so much. If she went to the coast, my daughter would bring me home plastic Coke bottles of sand and sea!

New Quay in Wales is lovely. I went there with my 2youngest daughters many years ago. We stayed on a caravan site and the first thing we saw from the window of the caravan were dolphins in the bay. Beautiful.

Thank you for that, Annie. So interesting, I know someone whose Welsh family were in the Welsh area in Liverpool but went back. I am trying to trace ancestors but there is some question as to whether they were in Wales or Liverpool.

anniebach Spent all of my school hols in New Quay. Family from there. Happy days and memories. Hope you get to have another trip there.

Annie never say never - hopefully one day you'll be able to get over to see your granddaughter and her partner in their new home. Life is indeed very strange. When I was 8 we moved away from my home town in the north where we'd had caravans at both Saltburn and Seaton Carew to a seaside town on the east coast. I spent many days on the beach as a child and loved the sea when it was very rough - met my husband and had my children there - we moved away nearly 40 years ago due to his work. Now I'm terrified of the sea - no idea why. He would move back tomorrow if he could but I don't feel the same sadly.

The attraction of the sea has many explanations. It is liminal and borders have unconscious meaning for us. Water reflects the colours of the sky and so is ever changing. Tides and winds create constant movement and we are awestruck by its sublime power and charmed by its smaller attractions. Even a brook holds interest as its waters bubble by. For the British it has, time out of mind, proved a safety barrier and a source of wealth, power and influence. We are an island race and those who are not born to its magic cannot understand it.

BB, was there anything better than Punch and Judy, ?

I hope your wish comes true for you Anniebach. You seem such a lovely lady. I will keep my fingers crossed, and toes.

I remember that feeling when we were young and all going to the seaside in a car, and we'd go up a hill and suddenly you just knew the sea would be over the hill. We all yelled, I can see the sea!

So did we Annie* When we could see the Wenvoe aerial we knew we were nearly there.
The big numbers on the wall your Mam sat beneath, and running to the big shelters when it rained And my favourite ' the shows' Loved it all

BBvevan, I loved Barry , Chapel and Miners Club days out every year ?

steve,

when my daughters were little the elder one then age 7 wanted to know what the sea was like in winter. The three of us packed a picnic, dressed in boots, winter coats, we went to a beach in Pembrokeshire, it was January. Magical , as we sat on the beach we watched a storm over the sea, the lighting was so beautiful , the sea was angry, it was so beautiful, yes it was cold ?

VIOL.ETTE, thank you , it is New Quay in Wales, but you were kind to post the information

Like Leg55 I live on the edge of Dartmoor. Nearest beach is 25 mins , and I would hate to be any further away from the sea. I would love to live within walking distance of the coast, but also love the countryside. The trouble is that houses with this combination are very expensive.

I do hope you can visit them and return to what is such a special place for you Annie

I love the coast too, particularly rocky coast lines such as Dorset. One set of grandparents retired to Sussex minutes from the sea, early bucket and spade holidays with them are some of my first memories.

I think it's a primeval thing why so many of us love the sea, life began in the water and perhaps that's why some have an innate desire to live by the coast, that, and the fact there is something mesmerising and infinite in the tides and the breaking of waves. That's my theory anyway

Hope your granddaughter and boyfriend enjoy their new life Annie.

I lived in Shetland for two years when my husband was in the RAF. It was heaven on earth, no part of Shetland is more than three miles from the sea.It was like living in another world, so tranquil and beautiful. I only live thirty minutes drive away from the coast now but hardly ever go. Cant walk far and parking is'nt the easiest with all the holiday makers.

VIOLETTE, I think that Anniebach is talking about New Quay in Wales, 2 words.