Sunrise and Seagulls at St Ives

  Following on from my last post it was lovely to hear that St Ives was a favourite spot for many of you too. However, it is not only the tourists and artists that find this town appealing but the seagulls too (there is one in most of the pictures below!) They woke us us early every morning during our holiday, but it did allow us to see many sunrises.


 The views from the bedroom window as the sun rose.


 One morning as I was so wide awake that I went for a walk. I had the whole of St Ives all to myself apart from a few fishermen and refuse men, it was quite magical, as you can see. There was also a fellow photographer who stood yawning, tripod ready to capture the sun rise. 









 The seagulls were fighting over some rubbish they had found. Last time we visited St Ives my husband was just starting to enjoy a lovely ice-cream as he lent over the railings admiring the view from the harbour, when a seagull swooped down and took the cone straight out of his hand! This time we were prepared to hide the food from view!




This was our neighbours on a nearby roof, they had 3 chicks. Maybe the adult above needed a quick afternoon snooze after the early morning rise. It was amazing how close to the edge they were!


When we visited Penzance we met Tommy the seagull who was a favourite of many of the locals in the park. He was very tame and came right to our feet and the cat seemed to know him too. We obviously didn't put any food down - someone else had dropped it.

We don't have as many seagulls in Weymouth, although I have noticed more seagull chicks since we returned home. An elderly friend was enjoying the last rays of evening sunshine on his patio last week and was dive bombed by a seagull who had chicks on his roof. He went inside and put his cycle helmet and returned to the patio but the bird eventually won! Have you had an experiences with birds?

I have to apologise for not visiting any blogs this week, our feet haven't touched the ground since we returned off holiday.this week. Daisy hasn't been too well - she has aged so much over the past few months. We have also put the house on the market - we had lots of interest and had an offer within 3 days! We have spent most of the weekend looking at properties and have hopefully found a new home but there is still a long way to go. A house move is never a straight-forward affair, maybe that is why we haven't done it for over 20 years!. We will be staying in Dorset and hopefully not too far from the sea!

Sarah x

Comments

  1. As usual a lovely crop of photos to peruse especially the early morning ones.
    What excitement moving home - I really feel that we should buy something smaller and with a much smaller garden, but I am suffering from inertia at the thought of it, and what to do with all the stuff we don't need anymore.

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    1. We are attempting to down size too, it is scary and enlightening seeing smaller properties but it is the way we want to go to simplfy our lives. Leaving our large garden which we have nurtured for over 20 years is going to be the hardest thing to do. We will however take some cuttings with us.Sarah x

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  2. oh I love the views, you are soooo lucky !xx

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  3. The sunrise shots are so beautiful, and I cant believe that cat didn't chase the seagull.

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  4. Seagulls can be a real pain, but I do love a bird with a bit of character! Probably why I also like geese. We lived with a flock of them for a short while but the head gander took an instant dislike to Mike and made a dive for his ankles whenever their paths crossed.
    The very best of luck with the house move Sarah. No, it's never easy, but it sounds like you've had a good start!

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  5. Sarah, I do hope Daisy will be all right. How old is she? I feel I can share my success with Gabriel's diet now. I've been giving him a product called Fortiflora. It is a digestive aid. Plus, I found a food he likes! You can e-mail me for more information, if you think this might help Daisy. And your move! Why, if I'm not prying, do you want to move? I'm glad to hear you will stay near the sea. I'm always up to catch the sunrise whenever we are able to visit the ocean. It is always spectacular. I love your photos!

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    1. We want a smaller property in a different location,. My husband too has recently retired early and we want a different way of life too. I will email you later, glad the diet is working for Gabriel. Sarah x

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  6. What a beautiful place. Hope you had a great trip and I also hope daisy is feeling better soon. Our dogs are aging a lot too, it's hard to see. Congratulations on the offer on your house! Best wishes to finding a new home.

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  7. Your pictures are always so beautiful. Good luck with the house move and I can't wait to see some pictures of the new house xx

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  8. Good morning, you will move the house, oh. I have done it one time, enough.
    In Germany we do not often move, most of the people stay in their houses for ever. Thank you for the grandios pictures, it is like holiday for me when I see them. But I have a problems with seagulls, often I have their fecals on my head. I do not like them.

    Sigrun

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  9. So much to comment on!!!! Thank you for the fabulous photos, Sarah! I have never seen such a young seagull chick before. I am sorry your husband's ice cream cone got seagull snatched and I don't have any such stories to tell about my encounters with birds, but I enjoyed yours :) I am sorry that Daisy has been unwell. I hope your move is a happy one and that you can still often see the sea. xx

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  10. Beautiful post. I'm an early riser, too. I love the seagulls. xo Jenny

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    1. I hope that all goes well with your house move and that you love your new home. The sunset pictures are stunning. Thank you for sharing these with us!! xx

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  11. Love your photos of St. Ives, what gorgeous views. The light is lovely down there for painting. As for those seagulls. In our local town a few years back, I was eating some fish and a seagull swooped and stole it! (I was going to report it to the police, I had a perfect description of it) lol. If you are short of seagulls in Weymouth I can arrange to send you some, lol ;)
    Hope your house move goes well, it's exhausting at the best of time.

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    1. I smiled about the police. Thanks for the offer I think we have enough seagulls already! Sarah x

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  12. Such a beautiful set of photographs, Sarah. What a lovely record. So sorry to hear Daisy hasn't been well- Ted and Pops send their love. And good luck with the house move too. I shall look forward to hearing all about your new abode x

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    1. Daisy appreciates Ted and Pops love. Sarah x

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  13. What a lovely post. We go down to Sennen Cove with a group of friends every spring - I love it there, so different from Hastings. Did you catch my recent 'Living with Seagulls' post - we have so many here! http://hastings-battleaxe.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/hastings-living-with-seagulls.html.
    Good luck with the house-hunting. We down-sized to come here - it is a stressful business.

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  14. I love the Herring gull chick, sunrise photos have a certain mistiness about them that sunsets dont seem to have

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  15. Your early bird photos are simply lovely Sarah. I may venture out early on Saturday. At the moment the mama seagull on our roof gives us fair warning when we come outside. She has stopped dive bombing the chickens thank goodness. And how fab to have had an offer on your house so soon. We are changing estate agents, and having a radical re-think about where to live. It may come to nothing, however.
    Leanne xx

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    1. I'm glad the chickens are no longer being targeted! Good luck with your re-think. Sarah x

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  16. Dear Sarah, what a wonderful selection of photos, the 6th is my favourite!I'm glad to hear that you had a nice holiday.Your project seems exciting although it's not easy to move after 20 years. But it will be better, I suppose.
    Olympia

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  17. I've never been to St Abbs before but what beautiful sunrises!
    Where I live is full of Seagulls too and alot have nested on the neighbors roofs. I've gotten some cool photos but it's no fun when they swoop and try to attack the dog! haha

    Anyways, it's always nice to get up early and see the day off from the get go, lovely photos.

    Best wishes, Danielle.
    http://underlandtowonderland.blogspot.co.uk/

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  18. We love the early hours, everything is just waiting to happen.

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  19. Hi Sarah. I've enjoyed both your St. Ives posts - you capture the beauty of it so well. It'll keep me going 'til October 2015 when we've booked to stay just outside Penzance. Exciting news about downsizing - you will love the benefits but it must be hard saying goodbye to a house and garden after 20 years. Good luck and here's to the simple life! Claire xo

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  20. A beautiful collection of photos, Sarah. Getting up early is well worth it when you have such fabulous photo opportunities. The seagulls in coastal towns have learned that there are easy pickings from the tourists - the last time I was in St Ives, a huge (and heavy) seagull in one fluid movement landed on my head, leaned forward, lifted my ice cream from its cone and took off again. And yes, it did hurt my head!! Definitely a good idea to abandon al fresco eating when on a seaside holiday! Just want to also wish you serendipity with your move, hope all goes smoothly. Caro x

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    1. Your bird story sounds like my worst nightmare! I am frightened on birds flapping their wings. Sarah x

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  21. Moving is exciting - new garden too! I'm sure it will all go well (though mixed feelings of course) - but enjoy!

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  22. What beautiful photos! I would love to see the sunrise, but I am a night-owl, so sunsets are more my line!!!! I hope all goes well with the house move, so glad you are staying in Dorset. I wonder if you are heading my favourite place way?!!! It is always sad when our furry friends suddenly age isn't it. With love X

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  23. So beautiful Sarah - I really enjoyed those! x

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  24. I've seen that seagull taking an ice-cream from someone at St Ives as well! Gosh, you were up early. I hope you managed a little nap later on! I stayed in a place called "Gull Cottage" once at Mevagissey, oh my it was noisy. But it's all part of the seaside experience, no? CJ xx

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  25. Such beautiful pictures, the sun on the sea - it doesn't get any better than that.
    Good luck with the house move, I hope all goes smoothly for you.

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  26. Hi Sarah,
    Sorry to here about your sweet Daisy. : ( Hard to see them get old.
    Wow, moving is never an easy task. All the best to you and your husband.
    Thank you for more amazing photos. Glad you were able to take some well needed R&R.
    Blessings,
    Bobbie Lynn

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  27. Beautiful photos. It looks like a gorgeous place and I love seeing all those birds too. Best of luck with the house sale and eventual move.

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  28. Sarah, you always take my breath away. That photo of the rooftop at sunrise....that is all I need to get my day off to a grand start.

    YOU ARE HAVING FUN! And you are taking me with you. Thank you. Anita

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  29. Sounds like you have a lot on your plate at the moment, Sarah!

    Sorry that I have not been dropping by often. We both seem to be quite caught up in little matters in the corners of the globe! Hope all is well, and Daisy, too!

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  30. Your wonderful photos of the early morning have made me want to get up early - we miss so much whilst we sleep. Sorry to hear Daisy is feeling her age - aren't we all! A house move - how exciting and scarey at the same time - hope all goes well with the househunting.

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  31. Gosh that sky! We are down in Cornwall soon...I'm so excited! :) x

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  32. Dear Sarah,
    I know what it feels like, when one goes away on holiday , then comes home.
    I was away a few days in Lisbon. When i returned, It seemed much longer. I had so much to do.
    Pleased that you are getting enquiries about your house.
    I think I wrote on your last post.. I really do like St. Ives.. Its on my wishlist.
    Those seagulls are amazing..swooping and stealing your hubbies ice cream..naughty birds.
    Sorry to hear about Daisy.. i hope that she will perk up some for you. Our animals are our family. Not nice when they are sick.
    I had to laugh about the man putting his helmet on.. ):- He must have loads of seagulls where he lives.
    Summer has arrived full on. Its very hot here.
    wishing you a happy week Sarah.
    val xxx

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  33. Hello Sarah, I have been absent too. But I am happy to be back and especially enjoying your most wonderful, magical post. Oh, how I love to see your "Sea" photos and "sunrises". Oh, how I would love to visit St. Ives onday along with all of the UK... smile. I had NO idea seagulls would take food from your hands. Interesting. Good Luck with house hunting and selling your home. I agree moving is NO fun.. Have a lovely week. Hugs Judy

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  34. Dearest Sarah! Thank you for coming to visit me today! I will enjoy just knowing that maybe you will be visiting the blogs to see what they are up to, as we celebrate our love for your part of the world!! Hugs, Anita

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  35. I love the sunrises and the little seagull...so sweet!

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  36. Dear Sarah,

    How beautiful your photos of St Ives is - love all the pretty sunrises and isn't it a lovely time to be up and about.
    Yes, seagulls came be very aggressive - when we have had a picnic at the beach, they do tend to want to come and help eat the sandwiches.
    Hope all goes well with the house move - yes, always a busy time.
    Sending hugs and hope you are enjoying the summer.
    Carolyn

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  37. My oh my such beautiful photos. I love any that contain birds. I must confess, I laughed at the thought of the ice-cream cone being snached away - at least since it wasn't mine. I hope Daisy is better soon. Selling your house - oh my what a daunting task. I hope you have a swift and profitable sale, but I can't imagine it is easy to leave after 20 years. Hugs to you and yours and Daisy. xo K

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  38. I just found your lovely blog (over Hillside garden). You just made me longing for my favorite holiday destination: UK. I love the Seagulls and miss their sound.
    Have a great Sunday.
    Kind regards, Alex

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  39. Very peaceful photographs - I was out early this morning, the sea was like glass and so quiet: lovely.
    All the very best with your move - I am dreading that day for ourselves....there would be a quite a bit of stuff to pack/get rid of....
    Take care
    Best wishes
    Jenny

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  40. Lovely photos! I was sitting on a harbour wall eating some chips a couple of weeks ago and a seagull pinched some right out of the tray. This was two days after I rescued a seagull chick stuck on my sons balcony, pretty ungrateful I thought.

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  41. I have a soft spot for seagulls but they are pests & dangerous at times. Sometimes when awake early, you just have to get up !
    Good luck with the selling game !

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  42. Your photos of sunrise on the sea are magical and make me feel like I should go to the sea soon. We have not been close to the sea for a long time – I mean walking by a beach. We were on a cruise not long ago but it is not the same. Moving is very stressful so I hope yours will go smoothly.

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  43. ***sigh*** My beautiful "Porthkerris"!!! Thanks for the wonderful pix ~

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  44. Lovely photos - I'm going to do some of the seaside in Wales in a day or so. We've visited St Ives but never managed to find a parking space! Maybe a cottage is the answer. Good luck with your house move - that's adventurous. We've talked about it often but can never quite gather sufficient energy to a) sort out all our stuff b) find somewhere else that offers us more than Winchester. Beside the seaside would be wonderful though.

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  45. Gorgeous pics Sarah. I do hope Daisy is feeling better.

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