Phew, I really hope this weather keeps up. Our week's holiday at home experiment (or gamble) has been glorious so far. Last night was damp but warm and "the boys" spent the night in the small tent in the back garden. Little boy was so excited he could hardly contain himself. Daddy promised to wake him at midnight and then they'd both go out to the tent, have a midnight feast, read some stories and then hopefully catch some sleep. I don't even think he remembers being woken and once snug inside the tent he promptly fell fast asleep again. Didn't phase him one bit! Daddy was a little bit sore given the contorted starfish sleeping position he had to endure.
However, bright eyed and bushy tailed we all set off for the beach this afternoon.

A rustic old gate that I couldn't resist photographing and our first glimpse of the sea.
I remember trips to Lunan Bay during the school holidays, when Mum would pack up our psychedelic folding garden chairs and a string bag full of cheese sandwiches, apples, Golden Wonder crisps and bottles of diluted Kia-ora juice (it was always over-diluted and very warm). As long as she had her book and we had our buckets and spades, were were happy to spend the day, swimming and playing, occasionally running back to base for sustenance.

Spot my Cath Kidston/Tesco bags!

It really is a beautiful spot and uncrowded, even at this time of year. We indulged in a spot of dune sliding which involved throwing all maturity out the window and belting it down the sand dunes as fast as you could while trying to stay upright and minimising the amount of sand collected in your underwear on route! Great fun, felt like those old school holiday days again.
Hope you're enjoying the sun too, wherever you are. Before I go, a big thank you to Heidi who has passed on to me a "Brillante Weblog" award. I am so chuffed! You must go and read Heidi's blog - Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly. It is one of the most enthusiastic and imaginitive blogs out there. Thanks again! I am supposed to pass this onto 7 other deserving bloggers but it would take me forever to choose so I will dedicate it to all of my favourites in my sidebar. So ladies, best frocks on and speeches prepared, this one's for you...