Contrasts of colours, textures and weather


On Friday morning we planned to go for a walk on the hills, but as we drove along the coast road the multiple colours of blue from the sea and the sky enticed us on to the beach instead.


Apart from a few dog walkers we had the beach all to ourselves, you can walk quite a distance without realising how far you have walked!


 Despite the colder temperatures there was someone who still wanted a paddle!


 The views of the sea here are such a contrast to Lucy's Post along the Chesil beach at the other end taken just two days later! 

Looking inland I love seeing the green fields, it's such a contrast against the shingle. On the top of the hill is the lookout hut I took you to here. 


Nestled in the valley beyond is the village of Shipton Gorge, where we walked last weekend, the ground was quite wet so we choose to walk around the lanes of the village of instead.

This lovely thatched cottage used to be the school house from 1862 - 1949. I am currently reading a book about memories of growing up in this village. It mentions the Christmas tree they used to have that was lit by candles. It's a shame this would never be allowed these days candles, children and thatch what a risk!!





 These cottages may look picturesque now, but in the 1940's there was  still no electricity or running water in these homes, unlike in the towns. It was a harder but a simpler life. I wonder what life will be like here in another 70 years. We took part in one of the climate change matches today down in Exmouth. The strong wind blowing the banners reminded us of how adverse weather is more frequent. It was heartening to see so many people all around the world attend climate change rallies today. Hopefully the Climate Conference in Paris will allow our grandchildren and their children to live in stable surroundings.





 Thank you for all your comments , I enjoyed reading about your signature dishes too.
Sarah x

NB I'm sorry I have lost some comments again apologies to Anne, Teresa,Sigrun and Cathy.
Cathy the orange thing on the beach was a ships buoy.

Comments

  1. elaine 30 November 2015 at 07:57

    Lovely pictures - at least you have had some sunshine. The picture of the thatched cottage is so chocolate box isn't it and look how the top storey windows almost sit on top of the ones below I guess the ceiling height in the rooms must be pretty low. I love to see the coast in winter so different from the rest of the year. Tavi doesn't seem to mind whatever the weather is like - it is all rain here at the moment, lots of it - I have been trapped indoors for two days - I shall have to dig out my wet suit and flippers to get to the shops tomorrow!

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    1. Down by the sea30 November 2015 at 19:28

      Hope you won't need the wet suit and flippers tomorrow! Sarah x

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  2. CJ30 November 2015 at 09:32

    What gorgeous photos, and I love your header picture. And those pretty country homes, how lovely to live somewhere like that. Well done for going to the climate rally. I hope some good comes out of the summit. Have a good week Sarah, CJ xx

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  3. Castles Crowns and Cottages30 November 2015 at 11:13

    Swoon. Breathless. Wanting. Enchanted. Just a few unstrung words but floating on their own, detached from any worries but hovering over my mind as I see this incredibly beautiful sight. The ocean? My favorite. Thatched cottages? I dream of living in one. And the lush green countryside? Heaven.

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  4. Louise30 November 2015 at 11:48

    Beautiful collection of photos :)

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  5. Anonymous30 November 2015 at 12:04

    Your beach is just fantastic Sarah. I do love a long beach walk. The beach where we are is pebbly and divided by groins so you can't really walk on it for very long. Gorgeous inland scenery too. Lovely to see the sunshine :-) Sam x

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  6. Rambler30 November 2015 at 12:10

    No wonder you were enticed on to the beach - such gorgeous colours. I absolutely love that first photo and I would love to base a painting on it if you wouldn't mind? My own recent beach photos look as though I used black and white film!

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    1. Down by the sea30 November 2015 at 19:33

      I am quite happy for you to use the first photo as a basis for a painting. Thank you for asking, I would love to see your finished painting if you are happy with it. Sarah x

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    2. Rambler30 November 2015 at 22:05

      Of course - but Constable I ain't, so please don't expect a masterpiece!

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  7. Freda30 November 2015 at 12:53

    You make me a little homesick for England and English villages! So beautiful.

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  8. Anonymous30 November 2015 at 14:08

    Absolutely beautiful. How nice to have the beach, the fields, and the village all in one walk.
    Brenda

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  9. Things and Thoughts30 November 2015 at 14:17

    I also adore the sea. We are lucky to live a stone's throw away from it. I can hear it, smell it and find it so mysterious. Your sea views are always so spectacular and I understand how easy you are enticed by how they look. Old English villages are quite unlike any other place in the world. ...
    Have a happy week ahead!
    Olympia

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  10. Unknown30 November 2015 at 14:35

    Lovely photos Sarah, I'm yet to visit Dorset, it's on our list for next year so any local places to visit that you can recommend are appreciated :-) The dog will be coming with us of course and he loves the beach! x

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    1. Down by the sea30 November 2015 at 19:38

      Hi Emma, There are some wonderful beaches our favourites around here are Lyme Regis, Charmouth, West Bay under East cliff (don't go to close to the edge of the cliff), Burton Bradstock and Cogden (the one above.) Further east is Weymouth Beach, Swanage and Studland. Some of these beaches don't allow dogs from May-October. Sarah x

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  11. rusty duck30 November 2015 at 20:53

    I remember walking out on Saunton Sands last year. We walked three miles and it really didn't seem half as far... until the walk back of course. By then my legs were feeling all of those miles. An empty beach is deceptive. Perhaps because of the openness and distracting views. And stopping every few minutes to pick up something interesting from the sand!

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  12. Libby 30 November 2015 at 22:59

    It's all so green! Hard to believe it's cold at all…And the "Old School" is so charming; yes, no running water or electricity would surely change life, wouldn't it? Romantic to think about, but in reality not something I would wish for!

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  13. Anonymous30 November 2015 at 23:16

    I enjoyed every one of those wonderful photos, and lovely to see a slice of England at this time of the year. Thanks for the post!

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  14. Rosemary1 December 2015 at 12:00

    No wonder you were enticed away from the hills - the sea looks rough but so majestic. I love the sound of crashing waves with the wind whistling through the air just so long as I am prepared and well wrapped up.

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  15. Handmade in Israel1 December 2015 at 14:22

    Absolutely beautiful photos once again! I want to live in that thatched cottage!

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  16. Julie1 December 2015 at 14:53

    It is hard to beat an almost empty beach - what fun! And so good to realise you have walked and walked without even realising! Juliex

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  17. Amy at love made my home1 December 2015 at 20:16

    It looks as though it was a perfect day for a walk on the beach! xx

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  18. BadPenny2 December 2015 at 08:29

    I would choose beach over hills too ! What is the pink shell ? What a delightful cottage x

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    1. Down by the sea2 December 2015 at 18:41

      The pink shell is a ship's buoy that has been washed up on the beach! Sarah x

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  19. Anonymous3 December 2015 at 05:21

    Thank you for the lovely post, and a reminder of our holiday in Britain last year.

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  20. s3 December 2015 at 21:35

    Well, I thought those amazing pictures of the sea were wonderful, it could have been a Greek beach!
    Then as scrolled down, and saw that delightful thatched cottage, I was speechless, the pictures just got better and better.
    Like Badpenny, I too wondered what the "Pink shell! was!.
    What a beautiful are you live in Sarah.
    Susan.x

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  21. HWIT BLOGG5 December 2015 at 12:31

    So beautiful...I just love your place and I´m so happy for all pictures you share with us!
    Have a great weekend and take care.
    Titti

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  22. handmade by amalia6 December 2015 at 15:32

    What a pretty place. That thatched cottage is picture perfect.
    Amalia
    xo

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  23. Gracie Saylor7 December 2015 at 01:54

    While the ocean and beach remind me of Crescent City, CA, USA, the houses in your part of the world are so much more historically charming. It never ceased to amaze me to find myself nearly alone on the beach! xx

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  24. Lowcarb team member7 December 2015 at 23:18

    Hello Sarah ... what a beautiful blue sky in your pictures here, everything looks so serene and picturesque.

    All the best Jan

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  25. Giga10 December 2015 at 15:56

    Wonderful views of the sea and the green fields. Regards.

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