Coast in Autumn -

AUTUMN SCENES FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST

Yes, I did dip my toes and the water was quite warm.

It was a fun time, peace and quiet before the Christmas rush!

Down to the sea. . . . . .

Arrival at the coast yesterday was somewhat rough. We eventually

 left the rain behind, dealt with very high winds, and had a wonderful

day and evening at our favorite places.

This morning, granddaughter Jasmin and I were up early taking

photos of the sunrise from our hotel balconies.

Now off to breakfast, a beach walk and a coastal drive in really

great late Autumn weather.

They never cease to grip me in their vast beauty. Oceans, this one the

 Atlantic . . . . . . and waking early to catch the perfect 

sunrise was so worthwhile.

Do you see it?

Do you see what I added to the last little photo?

Yes, us at the beach another time - in a different world.

 I really do wish we could be down at the North Carolina

 shore this coming weekend with the weather being so good.

This is what I really miss right now -

The crash of the Atlantic Ocean waves 

Waving 'across the pond' to family and friends in Europe (I always do!)

The fragrance of clean, pure sea air 

The calling of the hungry seabirds along the shoreline

The line of diving pelicans along an incoming wave

Watching surfers and fishing folk on the beach

Walking along the boardwalk, over the dunes, and along the sand

Meeting and chatting with beach walkers and their dogs 

Searching for a few perfect and pretty shells to tuck in my pocket

then -

Lazily swinging on a wooden porch swing on the boardwalk

Watching the evening fishing trawlers offshore

Washing my feet off under the ice cold water tap on the well-worn beach steps

Pulling my sandals back on

Meandering through the hotel lobby, across the street to Magic Beans for coffee

Catching up with old beach friends of several years

and later -

Showering and dressing casually for dinner out - oh to have a dinner out

and served to me, it has been so long. . . . . 

Breathing the salty evening air blending with fresh fish, shrimps, scallops

Sitting on a beachfront patio with a well-chilled glass of rosé

The orange sunset to the west

Smiling at the arrival of the seafood platter, always "too much" but always eaten!

Perhaps time - well there's always time at the beach - for a nightcap at

 our favorite (and one of America's best) dive bars, The Fat Pelican.

A great night's sleep with the balcony window wide open and the ocean sounds below.

It's so sad knowing our beach friends with businesses must be suffering, hotels too,

due to the restrictions brought by COVID-19.  We hope they will still be there 

when we return and we can support them again.

Please wait for me beautiful Atlantic shore - we'll be back some day, hopefully soon.

Meanwhile another 91F day here, and curfew continues tonight.

A peaceful protest late afternoon yesterday - no local rioting or looting in the 

night thankfully.

Carolina Beach Sunrise -

Saturday morning. . . . . . . and I'd set my alarm for 6:45 AM to be up for the sunrise.  

Not quite as beautiful as some other visits here over the years as clouds were
 expected for most of that day. 
Sunrise is always a special few minutes though, and looking out from the balcony
 across the ocean I was able to get some photos of Nature's early morning 
grandeur. . . . . .and the early people who walk dogs, run, or just stand along the
 shore in the morning sunlight.

 Shrimp boats were spotted both in the evening and again at dawn.

We could see their lights at night so guessing they fish all night.

Brown pelicans out in search of fish - and we were soon off to enjoy our breakfast!

Atlantic Ocean in November ---------

Beautiful afternoon on our arrival yesterday.

Cool but calm with lots of sunshine.

Carolina Beach was quite busy. . . . . . mostly walkers

 at this time of year!

Note the cloud bank on the horizon - hopefully my waves to my UK family and

friends were visible, or at least felt!

Pleasure Island Marina

A few brave surfers!

Later in the evening we enjoyed dinner, a walk, and the annual town Christmas

 tree lighting - a really good day here on the coast.

Thankful for so much ---------------

We're heading to the North Carolina coast for a couple of days after Thanksgiving.  

A great place to be after indulging at the groaning holiday table.

Beach walking, shell searching, maybe a quick dip, just toes to ankles, no higher!

The water will be cold. The air crisp and fresh. Our favorite time of year at the shore.

 Boardwalk strolling and sitting will follow while admiring the town Christmas tree

 and decorations. Christmas music will be playing. 

All will glow as darkness falls and the surf pounds the beach beyond the low dunes.  

 Carolina Beach - 2017
Last year we spent  the holiday with family in Arizona and missed the beach!

I'll do my usual wave to family and friends 'across the pond' as I stand on the Atlantic shore.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving celebration wherever you may be.

Sand in my flip flops. . . . . . . . . . .

As always, Bob and I really enjoyed our little break at the beach.

This year we thought the weather might disappoint, however the meteorologists
 were wrong - doesn't that seem to happen a lot!  It was just about perfect. 

Sunny days made it into the 60's with barely a wind, skies were mostly clear and 

'Carolina blue', and the water was quite warm allowing the little kids and surfers

 to enjoy the waves. . . . . . . . .even the sand felt warm when I kicked off my flip flops.

We enjoyed the usual Christmas tree and board walk lighting festivities, chatted 
with old 'beach friends' at our favorite coffee shop, sat on the balcony with an
 evening glass of wine watching the pelicans and gulls follow the shrimp 
boats home before sunset, and took leisurely beach walks in the fresh air. . . . . 
. . . . . . . . . .and, as always, I blew a kiss and sent it across the Atlantic to family
 and friends on the opposite shore! 

Time now for other things - namely Christmas preparations!

 I've yet to start outdoor decorating - outside work is still slowly coming

 along as the back deck and gazebo are renovated and refinished - he's

 doing a nice job but it's taking so long!

Inside, all I've done is move the Christmas storage boxes from the attic 

into the office. . . . . . and it's a horrible mess!

This morning's stiff breeze is bringing down the leaves non-stop - 

somehow we need to get out there and rake, blow, and move

them. It's mild and sunny so off I go, then perhaps I can start 

on my Christmas decorating.

I'm way behind on comments, forgive me and I will do my best 

to stop by soon and catch up.

Carolina sunrise. . . . . . . . . . .

With two mornings to awake to scenery such as the sunrise brings, 

I was up to greet the sun from the balcony ten floors above the 

quiet beach. 

Pelicans were already flying in their usual long lines across the pewter sea.

Shore birds were waiting on the beach, seeming to know exactly

 where to stand in the pathway of the golden rays.

Waves rolled in and then foamed onto the sand making really

beautiful designs in colors of molten gold, bronze and steel.

There is nothing quite as inspiring as drawing back the curtains, 

looking due east, and meeting the new day as the sun

 rises on the horizon at the ocean.

Enjoy each day - and these busy weeks ahead as we prepare for Christmas!