Paddling in the shining sea

Summer Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Shine!”

The sun makes the sea shine

This July we have had a rare phenomenon in my part of north-east England, a Heatwave. We have to go back as far as 1976 when I experienced the joy of such warm weather, a real scorcher as they say around these parts.

This recent Heatwave didn’t last long. At its zenith, a fine way to cope with this unexpected heat was to walk down to the seafront, get on the beach, and paddle in the cool, refreshing North Sea. Even very early in the morning, the thermometer hit 30C in the shade.

The effect of the sun glistening and reflecting off the incoming tide makes the waves and beach Shine.

As my wife and I waded along the surf, watching cormorants and black-headed gulls gliding effortlessly over the waves on this perfect day, I thought of Peggy Lee’s song, ‘The Shining Sea’.

“I hear the gray gulls cry I see them dip their wings I feel the pounding surf And other things”

Further south, London way, the temperature reached 40C.

Fortunately, living so close to the coast, a refreshing sea breeze arrived mid-morning to cool things down.

By the weekend of that Heatwave week, our beaches were packed with holidaymakers enjoying the hot weather and the shiny sea. A real boost of welcome tourism for the local economy.

We’ve still got August and September to look forward to before autumn beckons, and hopefully time for one more short Heatwave.

Thanks to Mary Chang Story Writer and SWPSC Team, for coming up with this intriguing six word challenge. See the link below for details.