Ray Morgan: Don't Take The Beach For Granted

July 24, 2016 by Ray Morgan

Don't take the beach for granted

When the tide's in, and the sea looks all glittered, and the Kent view opposite is hidden in a summer haze, I look out at our vista and it could be anywhere. Some days it looks like it could be Cannes, with all the boats bobbing. It is true escapism from the busy roar of day to day life, especially for those who work - or live - in London.

My friends and I wanted to go to Southend for a meal on Sunday lunchtime but after driving around for an HOUR (yep), we had to give up - it was too busy! Not a parking space for miles, and our patience was wearing thin. We looked out at the throngs of people on the little narrow strip of beach by the casino, swarming around ice cream stalls and queuing for chilled drinks and hot doughnuts (which let's face it, suit any weather). And it really is an escape for people. To come down to our little patch of sand and sea and relax - maybe even dip a toe in the water.

We got annoyed at how busy it was, but really, we can have this every day. That's how lucky we are! I'm guessing that if you read this blog, you live in the local area, and we have beaches to escape to after the working day. If you catch the right tides you can have a dip after work, or before the kids' teatime, or on a well-timed day off. Those evening high tides, when the lowering sun glints off the water and makes you feel like you're in a holiday advert as the water flows off your arms as you swim; that's lucky. If you're able to do it, you should. Or just sit on the beach and take in the view if you're not a swimmer! It's just as good (and less seaweedy).

Last summer, my partner and I made a flask of a nice drink (I think it involved elderflower and prosecco), and took a rug down to the beach and sat watching the sea as we got the last sun of the day. It had been a significant day and we wanted to mark it in some way; and what a perfect way to do so. We live in a top flat so we don't have a garden or balcony, so we treat the beach like our garden: you can have dinner down there! Or drinks with friends! (just make sure you take away your litter plz) It's our outside escape, just like the throngs of the weekend. Only we have the opportunity more often.

If you're able to get down to the beach during this rare hot spell, do it. Don't take it for granted. It's about living for the now: who cares if you said you'd cook that lasagne this week and bought all the bechamel ingredients? Sometimes it's about being impromptu and saying hang it, fancy a bag of chips on the beach instead? Life's too short. If you can, go out there and sit on the beach and take in our lovely view. It's amazing what it can do for the soul.