A Day at the Beach!

Coasting downhill on the barley paved rural farm road atop my five speed bicycle, I hear my friend’s shrieks calling out from behind, but am too afraid to look for fear of flipping over my handlebars. Approaching the 90 degree turn that brings back painful memories of the time I cut the turn too hard and drove right into the thorn filled ditch. I’ve made it around the turn safely and can see that the tide is out at the secluded beach just five minutes of dirt road peddling away.

From the dirt road, about a half a kilometer downhill lies miles of sand, rocks and sea creatures. The hill is so steep we leave our bikes at the top and start our careful decent downhill. The mixture of grass, sand and dirt makes it difficult wearing flip flops, so I carry my shoes in my hand and travel the path that looks the least painful to the soles of my feet.

I reach the entrance to the private beach, at first I look to see is how much sand I have to work with today. If I arrive at just the right time, the tide will still be on its way out, creating endless miles of the ocean’s bed to roam. Hundreds of jellyfish beached along the sand brings thrill and excitement to my core.

We drop our sandals, clothes and towels on the nearest rock and are off and running to the water’s edge. Approaching the biggest jellyfish I can find, I throw myself down on the cool, wet sand and begin prying it away from the sand by its dried edges. The purple jelly is a familiar feeling of endless hours of joyful pastime. Once the jellyfish is loosened from the sand I pick it up with two hands, careful to not touch its underbelly where its stingers are located and run towards the ocean.

Once in the water at knees height, I drop the jellyfish back into its natural habitat. I receive a splash to the face and a mouthful of the Northumberland Straight’s salt water which will remain in my mouth until I wash it out back at the cottage. After the initial shock of salt water in my mouth and face, I then look to see that the jellyfish is once again adapting to its natural habitat. A flood of emotions washes over me when I view it pulsing and swimming away.

Once the jellyfish rescue has ended for the day, we hike along the miles of granite boulders that act at the meeting point between earth and sea. While atop these rocks, the salty scent of the ocean, sand and rocks below provides a freedom that washes over you, similar to what a bird would experience while flying high over a body of water. Visitors to this beach could spend hours walking the rocks, but eventually our little legs tier and the young explorers are forced head back to the beach.

 Eventually the smell of barbeques from nearby cottages and the sound of families gathering for an outdoor meal bring groans to our bellies and force us to call it a day at the beach. We head back to our bikes and make it home in time for supper, knowing full well, we will be back within the next 12 hours to do it all again!