As long as I can remember The Great British Seaside has been a staple in my travel life. Despite lounging on many wonderful beaches in Croatia, Egypt, Italy, Spain, Turkey and elsewhere, there’s nowhere quite like home for being beside the sea. The English coast is often symbolised by fish’n’chips and buckets and spades but there’s so much more with wide open sandy beaches to walk, sand dunes to explore and wildlife and flora. It’s been my go-to place during the past 18 months as I explored in all weathers. Here’s a retrospective album of snapshots by way of appreciation for British beach life.

Are you ready to dip a toe into the wider world? As I sit at my laptop writing this post, for the first time in the long, wet month of May the sun is shining in a clear blue sky and the birds are singing with gusto. With the French doors open wide, the light is bright and the day is full of hope. It’s an unfamiliar feeling of late but I like it. The past year or so has reminded me to take the small pleasures where I find them. So today, I’ll enjoy the sunshine, a good cup of coffee and the pleasure of exploring the possibilities for travel. Come join me.