35/52 The Last Day of Winter

A portrait of my family once a week, every week in 2013

Coco: Watching white seagulls on the last afternoon of Winter, 2013.

Today I pumped up the flat tyres on my vintage bicycle. Since we moved to our seaside home last November I have rarely pedalled the neglected little machine. I was saddened to notice specks of rust along the upper surface of the cream frame, evidence of the salty sea air. Thankfully the bike pump was a breeze to use today, usually I find myself mucking about with the connector, trapping my fingers between the spokes and generally getting a little ticked off.

After stretching my long limbs and opening the noisy garage door, I stood in the sunshine taking in the glow of the last morning of a warm winter. Within seconds, Coco was by my side and joined us as Byron and I pedalled along the street to the corner store to purchase coconut milk for Byron's delicious Malaysian curry. We reached the store, stood our bikes on their stands and Byron ducked inside to locate our missing ingredient.

Like all dogs that are accustomed to life indoors and not used to being told to stay outside, Coco strutted boldly inside, unaware of 'The Rules'. The little girl at the counter smiled at Coco as I clumsily raced inside to collect my confident pooch. She laughed as I scooped Coco into my arms before adding, 'Don't worry, you'd be surprised how many times it happens.' I left the store wondering whether she meant other dogs walk inside or perhaps our Coco is a regular customer.

After a delicious lunch (seriously, the curry... To Die For... Recipe to follow soon so check back here!), Byron napped on the leather lounge before heading to work. Coco and I walked to the beach where we explored the rocky edge of the headland, collected shells, stalked seagulls and eventually returned home as the sunset on a day that felt as warm as summer.

This week from The 52 Project, Sisilia has captivated me with portraits of a mischievous smile and big brown eyes (oh! Those cheeks!). Barbara has posted magical, dreamy images of her sweet boys in a beautiful forest and Jodi has again woven her magic with beautiful words and sweet images of her children, moments captured in time to be admired for years to come.

What did you do during the last week of Winter?

Bella xx

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31/52 Nothin' But Blue Skies, Baby

A portrait of my family once a week, every week in 2013

Coco: Intrepid little explorer, brave and curious as she carefully rock-hopped to the safety of my arms at low tide.
Bella: A moment of pure joy captured by my husband.

An unseasonably warm winter's day under a vivid blue sky. This is the scene that awaited us along the shores of our special beach. The morning we visited the sandy stretch of land coincided with one of the lowest tides I had witnessed and made for excellent conditions to explore the furthest reaches of the rocky point. The rock pools teamed with marine life. Exploring these aquatic pools has always been one of my favourite ways to lose myself for a few hours on a sunny day. As we carefully made our way towards the sea over sharp, jagged rocks that would soon be covered by metres of sea water we observed alien-like seaweed floating in the gentle surge of the sea pools. Tiny schools of fish darted away from Coco as she expertly navigated her way along the narrow rocks. Marine creatures you might expect to find in the deep ocean emerged from eerie shadows, beneath submerged rock ledges.

Eventually the sea began to return with the changing tides and so we made the decision to turn around and slowly, carefully climb back over the rocks the locals refer to as Witches Reef. Some rocks were extremely slippery in places and covered in shiny green seaweed. Those rocks are usually submerged for most of the year but not on this occasion, which did make for some unusual poses as we attempted to balance ourselves on the journey back to the shore. Coco, of course had no trouble and confidently trotted between the two of us, possibly amused by our lack of coordination.

We were careful not to disrupt the marine life. Sea shells, molluscs, sea urchins and starfish remained untouched where we found them. To alter the natural environment would have been a terrible shame. Instead we pointed, ohh-ed and ahh-ed, squinted under the bright blue sky and called to Coco when she bravely wandered too far.

On our return to the safety of the sand, we kicked off our footwear and splashed about in the tiny waves that lapped against the shore. Coco barked, ran in wide circles and returned to us as we walked the rest of the way home towards our seaside bungalow where a patient cat slept on a woven mat in the sunlight. With our fingers interlaced and our toes covered in salt and tiny specks of sand I felt a special kind of happiness that comes from spending precious time with my loved ones.

My favourite posts linking in with Jodie this week are of sweet little Sammy and this little family because they share my love for the sea.

If you have entered my giveaway yet for a chance to win one of these gorgeous books... Enter today. The winners will be announced this week, GOOD LUCK!

Happy weekend my friends. I hope your days are filled with laughter, outdoor fun, and all the joy that comes from enjoying the simple pleasures that life has to offer under a stunning blue sky.

Bella xx

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