Sadly, a few weeks ago my dear Mum passed away and on this (the day of the funeral) I felt the need to 'escape' to the coast for a quiet evening stroll with the camera.
I took my Nephew with me (he was another of the 4 pallbearers) as we sought relaxation after a tough day. We had the same 4 pallbearers as for the funeral of my Dad just 18 months earlier, while I again read out a self penned eulogy at the service.
The service and wake both went perfectly, the overriding feeling being that we had done Mum proud just as we had Dad before - not easy days, but ones to be got through and to celebrate the lives they had.
Thankfully, most of our plans worked out well. We had a great fish & chip dinner by the beach at Seaford before setting off for a gentle walk.
We headed up Seaford Head and on past the golf course, as we had plenty of time before my plan to catch the sunset over the bay at Seaford looking towards Newhaven harbour.
I have walked that route many times before, but this was a first for Ross (my Nephew) and he was soon enjoying the views.
Nothing though prepared him for the simply stunning view that you get when looking down the slope towards Hope Gap and onwards to the Seven Sisters.
From that downhill slope, the view is breathtaking and the cliffs are perfectly framed by the curves of the edges of Seaford Head at the end of that slope. There was a little bit of glow from the hazy sun behind us and the tide was high as we drank in the serene view that just stretched out in front of us.
There are many and varied walks in this area, but this particular view is quite simply my Happy Place and one I will never tire of.
Retracing our footsteps over Seaford Head and to the top of the golf course, we looked out over the bay towards Newhaven harbour but the hoped for sunset was never going to happen. The sun had been obscured by a dense blanket of cloud which rendered the chances of a beautiful sunset glow an absolute zero.
One to aim for for the future then, but we had still had a lovely relaxing evening despite the uphill walk and I rounded it off by showing Ross Birling Gap as he had never been there either.
An impulsive evening out to the coast, with fish & chips and stunning views plus the sea air - Mum would have wholeheartedly approved ! We did her memory proud at the funeral service and then remembered her again in a totally appropriate way on our evening out. Plus the photo above was taken with the new camera that she treated me to just a few short weeks before her passing. I get to remember her affectionately every time I use that camera, lasting memories .......
Rest In Peace, Mum XXX
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