Sandown calling

We have important papers to pick up from the post office, the one’s that once signed can seal the deal on our new home, the transfer document and contract etc. – exciting papers! This might just happen. It has taken a while, but Sandown is calling.

The post office is about a 2 minute walk to the beach, but you can only stop outside for an hour, so we decide to park further up the bay in Yaverland (it is all one big bay and to me all looks like Sandown, but I am sure at some point we will understand the distinction). It’s hot, sunny and we are parked right next to the beach. I’m going in! I have never stood naked in a car park before and it does feel odd! I may be in a van with the blinds closed, but I am naked in the car park.

When I left my job, some of the incredible members of the community that I am proud to now call friends, sent me a gift to say thank you and good luck. It was the height of lockdown, many were shielding and shops were shut. A voucher worked well, and I enjoyed my online shopping. Their love and generosity made me cry and I wanted my gift to be something joyous, that would be with me in happy times. Today I get to use some of the items I chose for the first time. I chose a new swimming costume, beach towel, sunny day tops and a beautiful blue woollen poncho for cooler evenings following sunny days.

To save arrest and future embarrassment, if we do end up living here, I don my cozzie, wrap myself in my towel and step out into the car park. The bay is huge, sparking in the sun and it is calm, but it is mighty cold! Bracing, flipping freezing, but I’m in and once I’m properly in it’s fine. I adore swimming in the sea; since I shattered my shoulder, I struggle to swim well, but there is a huge shallow sandy shelf going out a long way, so I can stand up if needs be. I’m safe and in my element. Imagine being able to do this every day if I wanted to; I do want to… I may not however swim every day, but I like the idea of being able to. Ian isn’t so keen on the cold salty water. He does love swimming, and the sea, but not today.

A quick dry off in Agy and we are ready to explore more. We walk past dinosaur isle, the crazy golf, the beach huts, and try out a cafe in the high street, Kate’s cottage. It’s nothing to look at, but the locals are here, not in the beach front cafes, so we head in. £6.50 later we are stuffed (Ian an all day breakfast and me a ploughmans), £6.50, how can that be, food and drinks for less than some people pay for a coffee in London. I love a local cafe, and I love this one, we will be back.

After a stroll on the pier we decide it’s time for a drink, so head to one of the bars on the front. Honestly, we could be on the Med. It’s hot, a huge sandy beach, the dark wood, ceiling fans and a sparking sea. This might just be our home. I feel we have won the lottery.