as they say, all good things come to and end, and I am sad to be saying goodbye to Sidmouth tomorrow (5th jan).

I went for a last look around during my break today and to take some more photos and a video of the sea.   The day is gorgeous, the sky is slate grey, the sea shimmering like mercury.  The horizon is barely discernable, the sea and sky blending in a distant haze.   I have no idea what the temperature is outdoors but my ears and nose were frozen by the time I returned.

I took a brisk walk along the promenade, diverting off along the path that takes you to Jacobs Ladder and the fabulous pebble beach beyond.   It has been one of the ‘things i want to do’, so I took a walk along the beach for as far as I could.  The sand beach was under water as the tide is in, so no chance of a stroll more like an obstacle course of pebbles that move and twist the unwary ankle.  Blimey, it is tough walking along a pile of pebbles.  For sure if you want to get fit and strengthen your ankles, have a walk along those pebbles every day.  I ventured as far as I could, all the while admiring the sea that is like a pane of frosted glass; the red jurassic cliffs towering above I wondered what would happen to me if the cliff came tumbling down like it did while ago.  Apparently at about 2.30 of an afternoon there was a loud rumbling noise and a massive part of the cliffs broke away from the main and tumbled down into the sea, sounding like a bomb.  One lucky man was witness to this spectacle.

However, they didn’t fall and I am still here (not that you would have guessed that .   I did spend some time sitting on a ridge of pebbles just enjoying the feel of the breeze snaking round inside my scarf and lifting my hair.   The air was crispy and cold, the pebbles icy and as usual I was under-dressed.  Us South Africans just don’t get it, the art of dressing for the cold.  Is it that we are hardy or stupid?  Whilst sitting there freezing my toosh I decided to skype a friend who lives in Austria (hi Liz) and catch up where we left off on our last conversation.  I was informed that it is -9 degrees and the world is snow white.  How marvellous.

I just love technology, to be sitting on a beach in Sidmouth UK and able to chat to a friend in Austria.   As the time draws nearer for my departure I once again feel quite melancholy.   It is quite hard packing bags every 2 weeks or so (4 weeks this time around) and much as I love travelling by train it gets a bit wearing when you get to do it so often.  Mind you I am not complaining, I get to see some beautiful countryside and fabulous areas, but it it unsettling to be on the move so often.

On my walk back I went to the opposite end of the promenade and walked up the part of the path that makes up the South West Coast Path, this is the longest National Trust path in the UK.  630 miles of continuous coast path from Minehead (Somerset) to Poole (Dorset) via Lands End.  70% of the path is within designated heritage coasts, areas of outstanding natural beauty or national parks.  95 miles of World Heritage site with Sidmouth along the route you have 30 miles of splendid clifftop walking from Exmouth to Lyme Regis with panoramic views from Portland Bill to Torbay.   According to the sign there is something for all interests: rich red cliffs, towering faces of chalk, land-slips, quiet combes, estuaries, wildflowers, birds of prey, nature reserves, fishing villages, coastal resorts, deserted beaches and routes for all abilities – from easy level strolls to challenging slopes.

I look foward to the time when I can get a place of my own again.  The only question is ‘where?’.   Currently I am loving Sidmouth as I mentioned before and would love to live here for a while.  On the other hand I adore London and really miss the vibe and energy and the events that take place there.  My daughter sent me a video message of a protest march in Central London today, which she found quite unsettling.

So by this time tomorrow I should just have left Exeter St Davids (where I get the train) and on my way back to London City.  I am reminded of the first time I travelled this far south.  About May of 2008 I travelled to a place called Newton Ferrers for a placement there.  We travelled via Exter St Davids to Plymouth and I remember how excited I got when I saw the sea again, the trainline snaked right along the waters edge and I wondered what it must be like during a storm. I am sure they would have to close the line.

At that time I thought “I have to visit this place for a longer stay” and now I have (Law of Attraction?).   So I shall concentrate fully on what I want to do and where I would like to be this year when I participate in the Goal Setting workshops with the ‘Inspiring Life Change’ workshops on 31 January: see http://www.inspiringlifechange.com

I will be downloading some photos in the near future and will keep you posted. Look out for part 2 & 3 of my Sidmouth stay, back to front I know but I started the newsletters before I started the blog.

au revoir