The smell of the sea

This morning after doing some boring domestic chores, I decided to cycle to Hastings to the Summertime curiosity bazaar in the glorious sunshine and summer coastal breeze.

It was low tide and despite the day starting with some clouds, it was warm and I could smell that sea salt smell in the humid air. A smell that is so familiar to me, a childhood and summer holiday smell. A comforting family camping and my Dad fishing in the sea smell. It only conjures up images and happy memories for me. I love it so.

There were people dotted about the beach and along the cycle walk way from Bexhill-on-Sea to St.Leonards -on-sea and Hastings. Dog walkers and pushchairs with summer time umbrellas, people with cooler clothing on, all looking lighter and less heavy from the grey winter we had.

Stopping to admire all the beach huts and seaside plants and fishermen's rope. All a sensory delight.

Stopping and admiring some iconic buildings like Marine Court built in the mid 1930's and the poor Hastings Pier which burnt down some years ago now and is trying to be restored by Hastings Pier Charity

I eventually got to the Bazaar which was good fun, unfortunately I was not allowed to take any photos to show you, but you will have to believe me when I say it was full of remade, vintage and beautiful crafty goodies.

I was rather pleased to meet Jo from Lime green jelly yarn. I have purchased some of her yarn in the past from another Christmas fair, but have never met her. It was so lovely perusing her beautiful hand dyed yarns which she makes with Elaine, another knitter friend whom I met and chatted away to. Their little display of yarn is called Insane jelly, a collaboration of their talents and of course I had to purchase some from them.

Jo spins her own yarn which is divine and Elaine (aka Insane Elaine) was telling me all about her gorgeous 5 week(!) knitting holiday to Shetland where she learnt to shear a sheep, spin and dye yarn as well as make lace amongst hundreds of other divine woolly things. Oh, my it sounds like my kind of holiday heaven.

After a delicious felalel, salad and frites meal I cycled my way back home. Happy and satisfied with my purchases and once again that comforting smell of sea air...a little interjected with bbq fish which smelt delicious too.

Always stopping to admire the flora and colours on the way home and then I had an idea...why not show you my yarn "on seaside location"!

Is it not just gorgeous, I think I know where I got my inspiration from for choosing these delicious colours!

Nothing better than smelling the sea air and seeing the sea side colours to inspire me. I'm planning to knit myself a shawl with this 4 ply sock yarn and can't wait to get knitting. I am hoping to find a shawl pattern on Ravelry with a little lace in it to step up my confidence and skills and challenge myself again xox Happy weekend to you all, I hope you are enjoying the fresh air wherever you are x