Hazy Days

It's been quite hazy every day along this search of coast this week. We woke up one morning at 4.30 and were quite surprised to see it was already quite light outside. We decided to take an early morning drive to Lyme Regis.


The Cobb Lyme Regis

We had the whole landscape almost to ourselves, apart from the lone paddle boarder, and fisherman. The distant cliffs providing a beautiful darker blue back-drop.


Looking towards Lyme Regis from the Cobb, we took time to admire the pastel coloured beach huts, and pretty cottages that line the esplanade.


The beach had already been raked smooth, the imprint of footsteps from the first swimmer of the day and a seagull, leaving indentions in the sand. 


We had time to admire the many pretty cottages tucked in the little lanes behind the ancient harbour


before our favourite coffee shop Amid giants and idols opened for business. It produces the most amazing coffee. It's the best we have ever had and whenever we feel we need a real coffee hit we always head over to Lyme Regis!  The taste lingers such a long time after you have drunk the coffee. It is located near the top of the town opposite the library so if you love coffee and find yourself in Lyme, do visit as you also will be guaranteed a warm welcome. Do you have any special coffee shops in your area? I always avoid the national chains as the local coffee shops offer so much more and we are spoilt for choice.



As I mentioned ages ago I handed in my notice in January, after working for the same organisation for 34 years. I have been gradually been reducing my hours since my resignation, and I am now on a bank contract for a few more weeks working only one day a week. It has already made such a difference to our lives.




The reduction of income is obviously a disadvantage but there are many advantages too, including staying in this beautiful location all day, feeling so much more relaxed, no longer having that Monday morning feeling and just having more time to talk to family, friends and meeting new people, and spending more time at home or in the garden.


We need to create a  new simpler life and I am in the process of setting up new routines with the help of Down to earth and Fly Lady. I think the key to our way of life is to more organised and by doing tasks often and before they become too big to tackle.

I am also involved in a number of voluntary projects which either involve history, gardening or green issues. This morning I was taught how to scythe, it was hard work but more satisfying than working out in the gym and or using a strimmer. (After I had published this post Libby pointed me at this post she had written about the The Meadow at Sissinghurst the video is lovely and sums up what I thought about scything. These  words are an extract from Vita's poem about the Garden.

What pleasant sounds: the scythe in the wet grass
Where ground's too rough for the machine to pass,
(Grass should be wet for a close cut, the blade
Hissing like geese as swathe by swathe is laid;)
The pigeons on the roof, the hives aswarm;
June is the month of sounds. They melt and merge
Softer than shallow waves in pebbled surge
Forward and backward in a summer cove;
The very music of the month is warm,
The very music sings the song of love.


Thank you for all your comments, wishing you a happy week.
Sarah x

Comments

  1. Lyme looks stunning in the early morning light. Such clear colours. I'm glad you are enjoying your reduced hours. I don't find the reduced money in retirement a problem because you have SO many compensations. Sounds like you are busy already. Lots to do in retirement. Enjoy :). B x

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  2. Whenever I am out early I wonder just why I don't do it more, often it is the best part of the day. I have climbed those cobb steps, I was wary, but managed.
    You sound as if you have settled into a very good routine quickly and plan to make the very most of all the extra time that you will now both have together.
    Looking up through the Foxgloves to the blue sky is lovely.

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  3. Lyme Regis my favourite spot in your part of the world many happy memories there we would love to be able to afford rent in the summer in one of those cottages near the seafront

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  4. YOu too Sarah? You too have noticed the sunlight starting to appear at 4:30 am? I had never seen it so early, but this is my favorite time of the day. Hazy indeed, unpredictable weather for the day, for sure. But as the day burns off, sometimes we see the haze fizzle away into a bright show of possibilities. ENJOY every moment of this summer!

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  5. I bet you'll soon be filling those extra hours. But the important thing is that your time is now something you have under your control. We've got the ability to stop whatever we're doing to just go out and enjoy a sunny day. It's precious. And heaven knows such days are rare enough!

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  6. Oh Sarah. I am so happy for you, on the verge of creating your retirement life. It will be such an exciting time in your lives.

    Your photos are spectacular. The colourful boat pictures are like a smile and the area is magnificent.

    Such a beautiful place to live! Congratulations on your up-coming retirement.

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  7. Ich bin sicher, dass du deine Zeit gut ausfüllen wirst. Du bist gesund und hast den Hund, es gibt so viele Dinge, die du tun kannst! Deine Fotos sind wunderschön. Wir stehen auch gerne sehr früh auf, dann hat man was vom Tag!

    Sigrun

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  8. Sarah, it is very easy to be envious of your beautiful scenery so close at hand so I am very appreciative that you share it so lovingly with us. I am so glad you have more time now to enjoy it. I agree that doing tasks, like tidying the garden, more often makes the chore much easier. Plus, it gets me out in the garden every morning which his a win-win situation.

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  9. What a lovely post. Lyme is one of my favourite places. We have a great coffee shop in romsey called rums egg. It's also a gallery. Worth a look if you find yourself up this way xx

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  10. Congratulations on your new reduced hours! and that photo of the steps at Lyme - I've seen Persuasion about a hundred times and still marvel over that sea wall and those steps... xox

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  11. I'm scrolling up and down, just can't have enough of your photos! What an amazing array of captures!Love the peaceful and elegant ambiance of your home.
    Olympia

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  12. boats ... gardens ... flowers ... the sea & the sand ... you have shown me my favorites this morning!

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  13. There is a huge scything "movement!" I just saw a wonderful short post on FB about it the other day (wish I had bookmarked) and I had posted a great video from the people at Sissinghurst: http://www.libbywilkiedesigns.com/2016/03/friday-flowers-the-meadow-at-sissinghurst.html
    And yes, retirement is wonderful!!! However, I am busier than ever but only with what I really want to be doing. Enjoy the garden!

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    1. Thanks Libby I have incorporated the link in my post above as it was so lovely, thank you so much for reminding me of this post. Sarah x

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  14. Hi Sarah, beautiful photos as usual, 4.30 is early, I'm finding myself waking before my alarm goes off but not that early. It's quite a lovely feeling to be up before everyone else and enjoy the silence and the views. It must be quite an adjustment you are making if you've worked for the same organisation for 34 years! I also work fulltime (this is my hobbyjob!) and I fully understand how chores can accumulate, so for many years now I do sections of the home every single day, even in the morning before work, so it doesn't pile up. Although I'm no greeny, I am all about making/cooking/baking from scratch and being self sufficient. I wish I had a bigger garden because I'd definitely have a veggie patch! Enjoy your free time and your volunteering! Sharon x

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  15. Oh poo - my comment has just disappeared. I just said that you do live in a beautiful part of the country and it is good that you are trying all sorts of different things and making the most of your time since you reduced your work hours. I love the photos especially that lovely cottage and the foxglove. We have so much rain over the last few days - can't wait for the sun to return

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  16. Such beautiful photos and good to hear you're adapting to your new life. I'm sure thinking about routines and so on must help. Enjoy! Juliex

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  17. Oh Sarah dear, how lovely to see that you have visited my blog. NATURE by nature, is soothing to the soul. Even violent moments in nature teach us to humbly observe from a distance and to remember who we are. Don't you just LOVE pink flowers?

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  18. Lyme is such a beautiful place isn't it, one of my most favourites in fact! Lovely to see it! Glad that you are enjoying the reduced working hours and that things are working out for you.

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  19. Sounds like you are having a great time not working! I wish I could wake up that early and get up and go - rather than just being glad it's not time I have to get up yet.

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  20. Lovely to be able to adjust from working less, to enjoy a different life - in steps. Instead of the sudden change, which can be disconcerting.

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  21. Does that fishy jug have a story? An artist?

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  22. It would be nice if there was a story behind the vase. I just picked if up from a hardware store,must of our interior has a coastal theme. Sarah x

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  23. It sounds as though your plan to gradually stop permanent paid employment is working out Sarah – I'm so pleased for you. I manage my own time but still find myself overwhelmed with chores sometimes as I get massively distracted by the garden or need to focus on a freelancing deadline. Organisation is key, as you say (must get more organised!). These photos are gorgeous; you really do live in a beautiful area. I'd love to find a great coffee place round here but haven't yet. The best is out of my old percolator at home which is cheaper, I suppose :-) Sam x

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  24. I often during summer months awake ridiculously early, arise, look out and open the window to hear the dawn chorus. Then after awhile creep back to bed for comfortable sleep :-)

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  25. What an interesting class to take ! The light looks beautiful in your photos.

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  26. What lovely morning views of Lyme. We haven't visited for a few months now and I do love the idea of a very early morning trip. M x

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  27. Aren't we lucky to have such beautiful scenery in our country! I've never seen the cobb in person but can see from your photo how worn the steps are, a great reminder of the history of the place. Your early start was well rewarded with lovely moments - I have to admit I'm very envious of your retirement lifestyle! Caro x

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  28. I particularly enjoyed the early morning Lyme photos, such an interesting light.

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  29. I'm glad you are already beginning to enjoy the "life of leisure"! It will be even better when you give up work completely. I have found that my stress levels are a LOT less! BTW, we often get up very early, so a 0430 start doesn't seem that unusual (the habit of a lifetime - Army etc). It's nice to be up and about when everything is quiet and no-one else is stirring yet. I just wish the sea was within walking distance.

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  30. Such an exciting new period in your life Sarah. I can imagine how special it must be to have all that extra time to spend on family, friends and the things you really like to do.

    Beautiful photo's of Lyme. I thought I recognised The Cobb on your first photo and I was right :-). What a delight it must have been to walk there early in the morning.

    Have a lovely evening!

    Madelief x

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  31. Lovely photos as always, it takes me back to visiting that part of the world when I was young. Once you are fully retired you will wonder how you ever fitted work in...it is wonderful to be able to focus on the things that really interest you, and live simply. I, too, follow Down to Earth, she writes well about the simple, but important things of life.

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  32. Wonderful corner of the World, thanks a lot for sharing

    Marina from the South of Spain

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  33. It sounds as if you are creatively embracing your extra time. Having control over my time is the best thing, for me, about growing older. I love the yellow roses growing up the cottage at Lyme Regis. And thank you for the photo of the Cobb. Straight out of Persuasion, my favorite Austen read.

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  34. LOVELY!! Thanks for sharing this post with us...beautiful pictures!
    Have a great thursday with lots of sunshine,
    Titti

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  35. Early morning, on a fine day, is so lovely in mid-summer and I can imagine how peaceful and enjoyable it was wandering around Lyme. I love your photos - I haven't been to Lyme for about thirty years. I am pleased to hear that you feel more relaxed and are enjoying the new time you have.

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  36. I'm not surprised you had the coast to yourself, 4.30!! Yikes! I can't wait for the day I can cut down on my working hours, I'm on the bank at my employed job and some months I do more hours than the contracted people!!

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  37. I am sure your early morning visit was well worth it to be there before the crowds descended. Lyme Regis is such a beautiful place but it does get so busy. Beautiful photos as always. xx

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  38. What a beautiful place, Sarah, thanks for taking us along. I'm also on a mission to simplify and declutter, it is quite a journey.
    Amalia
    xo

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  39. I have read about Lyme Regis for so long, in fiction books too, and it always sounded like a beautiful town. Your photos show that it is indeed a lovely place, and they do give a good feeling for how beautiful the coast must be like. You are right to work less so you have time to enjoy all the beauty around you. I remember in England light comes up so early but here, for example, sun rise was not until 6:30 am this morning. Your picture of the coast with the hazy pink sun in the background is breath taking!

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  40. I am always in awe of the beauty of nature where you life. Glad to hear your work load is lighter now. It is good to have more time to visit with family and friends. Thank you for the links above. We do have a nice coffee house but we need to drive about 42 minutes to get there. We live in a very small "village", population 100. Your cup of coffee looks very good.

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  41. Dear Sarah,

    Such a beautiful coastline and the best time to go out, when there are not many people about. Lyme Regis looks like a beautiful place and love the pretty cottages. That is so great that you are feeling more relaxed with working less and being able to spend more time with your family and doing the things you love.
    Happy Sunday
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  42. Some years since I visited Lyme Regis ... your photo's are lovely, it is such a beautiful coastline.

    So pleased that with working less you are feeling more relaxed - take time to enjoy doing what you want to do.

    All the best Jan

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  43. Beautiful blog and photographs Sarah. Your foxglove garden took me on a wander down memory lane as a little girl in my mother's garden.

    So happy for you that you have time now to make plans for your careful living...enjoy:). It can be done.

    Alexa-asimplelife visiting from Sydney Australia

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