Beside the Sea

(I must admit that this piece of writing is perhaps my own personal favourite from the last 3 years)

A trip to the coast holds a special place in the hearts of the English. I have been fortunate in living inland but yet only a comparatively short distance away from the sea in order to satisfy the urge to go and take in the sand and waves. I am not sure if the natural attraction for coastal things is to reinforce in our minds that we are an island race or to emphasise that we can feel a bit suppressed and claustrophobic in our densely populated towns and cities.

In fact proximity to the coast could apply to just about every inhabitant of these islands given the long but narrow physical characteristics of the British Isles. The Ordnance Survey, in perhaps an idle moment between surveying our ordnance, have calculated that the furthest distance that can be attained from the sea anywhere within the UK is only 70 miles. The lucky residents of Church Flatts Farm, Coton, Derbyshire when interviewed about this seemed entirely underwhelmed by the honour. Their nonchalance is very understandable in that there is unlikely to be any actual merit or commercial reward in such a designation for them.  In fact it could be quite a disincentive for any prospective purchaser given the affinity for all things coastal.

Very distant in-laws of my father's cousin from, what was the former, Czechoslovakia were well into their 60's before they  actually saw the sea for the very first time which is something very hard to comprehend when we are but a challenging bike ride away from the coast in our country.

I am very spoiled for choice in my home area when it comes to beautiful coastlines. Top ranking must go to Filey, North Yorkshire. A compact crescent shaped cliff edged bay, established Victorian Promenade, white colourwashed town houses and, to the dismay of my children when younger, no brash or noisy amusements. The thought of keeping 1p and 2p coins in your pockets and out of the needy slot machines and penny falls is infuriating for children who expect such extravagance as a natural consequence of a trip to the seaside.

Unfortunately, this younger generation in associating Filey with an absence of fast food and fast living may be prejudiced in their future parenting choices for a day trip out.This matter should be brought to the immediate attention of the Town Elders and Tourist Board as a matter of concern to be addressed in the short to medium term. Disgruntled, frustrated and sad little faces are however a small price to pay for a good bracing walk along the lower Beach road, a saunter past the boat club, a sandwich based light picnic meal below the crumbling cliffs and a striking out with best foot forward through rock pools and interesting geological features to the natural promontory of Filey Brig. This strip of rock on low tide ,separates the genteel Bay from the rough and bullying North Sea.

On a breezy off shore windy day there is a faint mist of spray as the aggressive ocean batters the outcrop. It is always advisable to consult the tide tables ,which are clearly displayed on the walking route, when attempting the Brig expedition as, from personal experience, failure to do so can introduce an element of panic when a hasty retreat is closely accompanied by the rapidly approaching high tide. Fortunately I have not had to call into play the services of RAF Rescue.

I admit there have been some situations when inevitable Ministry of Defence budget cutbacks will have been sorely tested in airlifting a large family group off the receding rock shelf, disgruntled and sad faced kids, pockets bulging and weighed down with small denomination coinage,amongst them. There can be lingering anti-parental feelings from unfulfilled ambitions for children to gamble even with the prospect of a free ride in a bright yellow helicopter.

On a poignant and personal note my late father's ashes were just this week spread along the waterline in Filey Bay, a place for which he had a special  affinity. I like to think and am appreciative of the fact that he will be contributing to the eco-system of the Bay in the most natural way possible.