Catherine Hill Bay

Looking out of the window and seeing all the dark clouds, it seems strange to think that about a month ago we were at the beach, again, with shorts on and smothered in sun tan cream talking about how hot it was.

Now we are in jeans, jumpers and moaning about how cold it is, the rain comes down in sheets and last night we suffered rain, wind, and thunder and lightening. Oh the joys of Autumn/Winter. It is as if someone has put on the tap at full blast and rain no longer comes in showers but full on, it stings your face and soaks you to the skin in less than a minute. Bring back the wall to wall sunshine.........On a brighter side we do get some wonderful rainbows

The first time we ever went to Catherine Hill Bay, the weather was pretty rotten and the water was being whipped up into a frothy mass, it was rainy, windy and jolly cold, we were the only ones there, except for a chap walking his dog on the beach.

This time it was a different tale, the sun was out, it was lovely and hot and people were in the crystal clear water taking advantage of being able to cool down. A few boats lolling about and the local life savers were testing their skills, a very quiet day at the beach.

We even managed to get the best seats in the house for our picnic, not a bad view when eating our lunch.

We decided on a picnic instead of a barbie, (thought it about time John had a rest from cooking when we go out) and those who shop, or have shopped at a certain perfumery may recognise the table cloth.

Even on a beautiful hot day the beach was pretty empty, plenty of space to stretch out, play games and pretend you are on an isolated beach.

There is only one road in and out, and this is it, not something you would want to walk up, coming down not a problem, going up.........not for me.

There are plenty of rock pools for kids to find fish and crabs, keeps them busy for hours, today not a soul, just swimmers and surfers.

Pretty good to walk on and very clean, not many small stones to bash your toes on, and being a wimp I hate walking on stones.

We decide to walk to the pier, in the distance there are ships waiting to pick up coal from Newcastle.

Along the way, some very pretty flowers.

Anyone win the pools or lottery? You will need to be rich to afford the prices here...
And that is even before you think of how much a home would cost to build.

The sea is quite dangerous here, as the sign indicates, unfortunately a couple of weeks ago, five people went rock angling and were swept away. RIP.

As much as I love the sea, I also have the greatest respect for it.