Monday 13 August 2007

Back from Leigh-on-Sea

We are back after a rest and a change. We are grateful to our friends who offer us their home whenever they go away. We actually have a key and can use their place anytime they are not there. As it is only 35 minutes from home we have sometimes just gone down and based ourselves there for a day. It is just so different from our area in the London suburbs. I just love the sea and the boats.

We go down to Leigh with no agenda and just chill out and do just what we feel like doing at any given time. Read, watch videos, walk, swim, sleep late, browse the thrift/charity shops or just lie around in the sun (when it is there!).

This particular trip the day we arrived (Saturday) was hot. Sunday it was in the 80’s and we had friends from our church come down and join us for a picnic by the water on Two Tree Island. This was quiet and peaceful. As it was a weekend and so hot the beach area and the old town next to the beach was a seething mass of people. It is only a very small area and there were people sitting everywhere there was a space. The sea was full of children playing and swimmers. The boat wharfs were crowded with teenagers hanging around and showing off their diving skills from the high wharf. There are two pubs down on the waterside and a place that sells seafood where people sit outside at the bench tables. These areas were so busy that there was hardly a space even on the concrete quayside.

From then on, although we only had one day of rain, the temperatures plummeted and the area became quiet again. The downside for me was evening high tides during the week so, coupled with the change in temperature; I did not get a swim. However we enjoyed the week and the change of pace.

I have posted so many photos of Leigh on previous blogs that you can check out if you are interested. On the sidebar under Leigh-on-Sea.

So I now have photos of things we did while away, a walk to a castle ruins, a walk along Southend Pier, a day at Hyde Hall gardens that I will be posting separately. I might even get to finishing the many posts I still have to do on Oxford before we go away for a week’s holiday in The Cotswolds in September.




The children out on their boats at the sailing club
A ship on it's way to Sweden passing the house

An ex-Royal Naval ship now converted to a sailing club clubhouse



8 comments:

Barbara said...

According to your post, you really had a wonderful chill out time in Leigh-on-Sea. I'm pleased for you! So now you are ready again for the everyday life, aren't you! Have a good start back home!
Barbara

Susan said...

Oh sounds like such fun Barbara. Glad for you.

"We go down to Leigh with no agenda and just chill out and do just what we feel like doing at any given time. Read, watch videos, walk, swim, sleep late, browse the thrift/charity shops or just lie around in the sun (when it is there!)."

This is the very way we felt when we were traveling in our RV those 4 years. Seems at "home" we get so locked into so many set activities, chores, etc., etc.!!!
Susan

Merisi said...

Being at the seaside seems to turn most of us into happily-for-the-moment living people, doesn't it?
I am glad, you had a lovely time, and looking forward to get to see the (to me) legendary Cotswolds through your eyes in September! :-)

Karen said...

What a lovely place to be able to go to. And such wonderful friends to loan it to you whenever you wish!

Unknown said...

*On its way to Norway*! That blows my mind.

So lovely. Peaceful too. Thanks for the pictures.

Susie said...

How wonderful that this lovely getaway spot is only 35 minutes from you. It must seem a different world entirely and great for an escape!
I enjoyed all the pictures!
:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Barbara

It sounds like a wonderful break and it is good to hear that the sun was shining much of the time.

Holidays are all about chilling and enjoying the things we love. I'm glad to hear that you had such a relaxing time.

Marie x

Jeanne said...

How lovely and beautiful my friend.
Love Jeanne