our sunrise swim

Me and Sarah went to the beach, super early, to greet the sunrise and swim.

Cool, soft sand underfoot, the sea reflecting the soft light of the sky and so much excitement in our bellies.

There was so much beauty to absorb.

The grasses and plants making stunning silhouettes.

and everything bathed in that soft and gentle light.

We watched and waited.

And at the moment that the sun began to peep over the horizon we squealed! Whilst excitedly jumping up and down I said, 'Oh my goodness Sarah, I don't know whether to photograph it or to just get in it'. 

I will never forget Sarah just shouting 'GET IN!' as she ran down the beach and straight into the sea. 

I ran after her. I got in! We jumped and splashed and laughed and swam and became absorbed in this beautiful moment. We were no longer looking at this the sunrise over the sea, we were part of it.

And after, the light was pure gold,

the shadows were long

and our little faces were as lit up as the plants and flowers in the dunes!

I'm so grateful for this impromptu, sun filled, weekend in Northumberland and grateful for friends who know how to find the magic. We don't get to the sea very often so we have to soak it up and bring it home as memories, feelings and photographs (and the inevitable sand in the shoes of course). This set of pictures will forever soothe me and the experience of swimming with my dear friend and the rising sun, ranks very high in the 'magical life affirming moments top ten' which one can always call upon if the going gets tough!

It's also nice to know that just looking at pictures of the sea and of nature can soothe our nervous system - you might not get the full benefits you would of bare feet in the sand and sea air in your lungs but just imagining these things, like the sound of the waves, or looking out onto the horizon, can have measurable effect on our brains and bodies. 

Thanks for coming to the beach with us. I hope these photos soothe you as much as they do me x