Sunday 26 March 2017

Going down in flames











It fell to the littlest boy to choose an outing this weekend. He had had a couple of weekends trailing round behind bigger brothers, so he was allowed to pick where we went. He chose the beach, one of his favourite places. He took his spade and dug holes and made friends with dogs and tried to stop the sea coming in and pleaded unsuccessfully for an ice-cream.

We got fish and chips instead and sat and watched the sunset. I always love to watch a sunset. I take big breaths and think deep thoughts about how we only get to watch a certain amount of sunsets. I like to fully appreciate each one that I get to watch.

The evening was enlivened a little by a dramatic fire on the seafront. Apparently someone set a shed on fire and it spread and a whole flat went up in flames. No injuries thankfully.

A few years ago the pier went up in spectacular fashion. The one in the pictures is the rebuild. Hopefully now with functioning alarm system.

When I haven't been strolling along promenades, eating chips and watching sunsets I've been pressing on with the whole writing thing. Writing articles here and there, and a little editing too last week. It's hard work breaking into the world of freelance writing, but slowly, slowly I'm, well, not getting there, but just doing little things from time to time.

It's hard to maintain momentum (or even hope) at times, but for now it's what I'm doing. We shall see how it goes. I don't have any unrealistic expectations, which is good. Just, you know, giving it a go.

Anyway, that's that. Did you all have a good weekend with a little spring sunshine? In fact, down at the beach there was a howling gale. Sand in my hair, my teeth, a layer of skin nicely exfoliated. Oh I do like to be beside the seaside. Wishing all a good week. CJ xx

PS. I'm over on Jo's blog, How to Hygge the British Way this week, if you'd like a look.

32 comments:

  1. I've had a lovely weekend: with Mother's Day, my Mum and Dad for tea today and a good break from routine, I am well set up for the next week! And I spent my free time reading your old posts. Lovely time all round!

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  2. That sounds lovely :) What a beautiful sunset too.

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  3. The weather was gorgeous here but oh so windy on Saturday. Still nice though. I absolutely love your photos here, there is just something about piers and that huge expanse of sea and sky that is so uplifting, and I agree with you about sunsets. They must be appreciated. Fish and chips sounds nice though (despite the wind) and I do hope you had a nice mother's day. x

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  4. Good weekend here thanks. The sky is beautiful above the water in your photos. Well done on the writing. Excellent! Hope you have a sand-free week xx

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  5. Good for the littlest boy getting a chance to pick his spot to visit. Good for you with the writing. The one thing I am not is a writer. I cringe sometimes when I read what I have written. Ah well. I can do other things and I can still make some sense on my blog so I will soldier on.

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  6. That last sunset shot is fabulous. Oh to see the sun at last, it's been a bit elusive around here recently. Not wanting to let a second of opportunity slip by I spent the weekend in the garden and as a result am now stiff as a board. Oh well.

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  7. Your photos are beautiful, CJ. I'm so glad your writing is starting to take off. It's not easy. I've done a little bit of freelance writing here and there, very much in fits and starts, over the past few years. I don't have enough time in my day without children around, given our schooling situation, but I would devote more time to it if I could. Maybe when they are older. I am sure you will be successful, you're an excellent writer.

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  8. Wonderful photos of your trip to the beach! I also love a sunset as you probably know from our trips to the beach. We have a weeklong trip in our caravan at the end of April from my birthday.. I can't wait. Good luck with your writing dreams.. hang in there and keep trying.. I don't have any advice as I never had that dream. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  9. Goodness the beach! I was a proper home bird this weekend bar dog walking in the woods...it was mighty draughty though so beautiful...I even sat outside wrapped in a blanket. x

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  10. Hey CJ,
    I often miss the sunsets, because they coincide with that busy time of day. But there are times when I look out of Olly's bedroom window, and am caught up in the beauty of a day ending. Fish and chips outside is one of my favourite and best, sand and all!
    Leanne xxx

    Oh and absolute respect for the freelance writing. I'm popping over to read your take on hygge directly xx

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  11. We hit the beach too this weekend - chips by the sea is one of life's great pleasures! Good luck with the writing. xx

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  12. Beautiful sunsets and good luck with your writing, Have you set up a Facebook page to advertise yourself?

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  13. Oh, how I miss fish and chips. Nobody does it better than the British. Glad you had a lovely time.

    Stay positive with your writing. I know it's hard - been there - still there - hoping to get out there soon :):)

    Take care CJ and remember the important things in life - family and fish and chips :)
    Have a lovely week.

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  14. I have a friend who is a freelance writer - here's a tip from her - if you are trying to sell/promote anything: contact people on a Tuesday morning at about 11am.
    It is the time of the working week when people are most receptive!

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  15. It was beautiful up here in Glasgow, no wind to be felt on our cheeks. We stayed at home, pottering. I hope you got all the sand out of your hair and teeth. Exfoliating by wind and sand sounds good actually. Cheap as chips.
    I have no experience with freelance work (I am too much of a scared chicken for that) but I do wish you all the best. Hang on in there my friend, I feel it in my guts that you will do well with your writing. xx

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  16. Wow CJ, when you've been talking about your writing course, I've always thought it was just for fun. Congrats for you for taking the plunge into the real writing world! Lovely photos. http://www.lifewiththecrew.typepad.com

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  17. The seaside and fish & chips sounds good to me. Happy writing. Flighty xx

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  19. Your littlest chose well. There have been some magnificent sunsets of late, even here in the north east (hopefully nothing to do with the surrounding chemical industries!). Well done on persevering with the writing. I think small steps in the right direction are sometimes better than one giant leap.

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  20. Beautiful photos! Sunset,beach and fish and chips, what a perfect combination. Good to hear about your writing. I always love the way you write on your blog :)

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  21. Wonderful pictures from your weekend! Your young son knows how to pick a nice spot. :-)

    I enjoyed reading your post over on Jo's blog. You are a wonderful writer, so please keep at it!

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  22. Hello, I discovered your blog after reading a comment you left on Maria's. I love the idea that your boys take it in turns to choose where to go and what wonderful photographs. Good luck with your writing. I'm on my fourth novel and even after positive critiques and being short-listed for two national competitions, it's still so difficult to find an agent/publisher. But if we love it, we do it anyway, don't we?
    Ange x

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  23. Great choice by your youngest for a sunny weekend, despite the wind and the sand. There is something very life affirming about sea, sky and a sunset. Wonderful photos. Good luck with the writing.

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  24. You have a lovely, effortless writing style, so I'm sure you'll get to where to want to be, keep at it, not many have that, people want to read the way you write...hope that makes sense?!?
    Always love hearing about your boys, especially the little guy! Here's to enjoying sunsets!xxx

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  25. What a beautiful sunset. Good luck with the writing, you have a style that is easy and enjoyable to read.

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  26. lovely pics, as always.

    i'm finding myself to be a bit stuck on the idea of fish and chips xoxo

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  27. Congratulations on pursuing your writing passions! What a gorgeous sunset, with a little drama from humanity mixed in.

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  28. I remember a post you did about the beach with the littlest boy a year or 2? back where it was soo cold and he was the happiest he could be. I love the pictures of this day out as well and it sounds like a wonderful day. I will only give you a bit of writing advice: Good job, keep going. Remember how good this feels, even when and after it's hardest. ;)

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  29. eating chips and watching sunsets - what can be better than that?

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  30. Such fabulous photos. We don't see the sunsets here as we face east but I do see the sunrises if I'm awake early enough! I had a look at the hygge post - nice idea and your answers are great. Wishing you the best of luck with the writing. Freelancing is not for the fainthearted and there's a fair amount of luck involved - being in the right place at the right time with the wind in the right direction! You have a lovely style, CJ, so believe in yourself, hang in there and carry on. Sam x

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  31. So sorry to have been away for so long! It is a pleasure to read your words again and to see those very beautiful pictures. Last weekend was delightful indeed. I love those skies and will definitely head over to Jo's blog to read your prose.

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  32. Gorgeous photos! the scenery is so beautiful x

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