Spring really came to Shoreham-by-Sea, yesterday. I took advantage of the lockdown easing to have a bonus lunchtime walk.

A boat floating in the Adur.St Mary de Haura’s east elevation in Shoreham-by-SeaLooking towards East Street from the churchyard of St Mary de Haura.Trees and daffodils in the churchyard of St Mary de Haura.


The very old and the very new in a port town.

Shoreham by Sea seen from the south bank of the Adur

New boats in the Adur.

Boats moored in the river Adur.

Sea chains.

A chain in the Adur at low tide.A chain in the Adur at low tide.A chain covered in seaweed in the Adur at low tide.


I think we were making him nervous.

A seagull taking wing on the Adur.

When you head towards the beach, it’s easy to forget that Shoreham is still very much a working harbour. But a walk up the riverside quickly reminds you that it is. Yesterday, we saw one of the fishing boats bringing in a catch.

A fishing boat in the Adur bringing in a catch.

Low tide adventures.

Two girls walking in the Adur at low tide.

Low tide on the Adur.

The Adur, at low tide, looking towards the Adur Ferry Bridge.


Low tide on a rainy afternoon is not the most photogenic time in the Quay.

Emerald Quay at low tide in the rain.


So, lockdown it is, from tonight. I’m very lucky to be living very near to these places. It’s going to be much easier for us than so many others.

Boats on the river Adur. The churchyard of St Mary de Haura.


Shaping up to be a nice Autumn day down by the river.

The River Adur from Emerald Quay

In praise of the cloudy summer's day

Fishing boats moored in the Adur

After a week of glorious sunshine and sweltering sunshine, it’s a relief to see clouds overhead again. Oh, it’s still warm, but it’s the lack of sunshine that’s the point. It’s freeing. We’ve been to the beach, and over the river to town. My eldest and I cycled, without becoming sweaty messes. It’s been a lovely day.

Our bikes in the church bike rack

I know this is heretical in a sun-worshipping age, but you can do so much more outside on days like this than in the relentless heat of a sunny day. You can stay out longer, you don’t need to avoid the middle of the day and, most of all, we’re not inundated by half-dressed visitors.

Oh, I know this is very much a first world problem, but our beach gets absolutely bombed when the sun comes out. It’s been far worse this year, as people who are — quite understandably — choosing not to go abroad this year head to the local beach instead. We don’t go to the beach much on sunny days. We’re happy to cede that to others, because we get to use it for the rest of the year. We can swim when there aren’t people messing around in powerboats and jet skis where they shouldn’t be, and can enjoy an autumn or springtime picnic on the beach.

The sun’s gone in. The vistors have stayed at home. And the beach and the river are ours again.

Bliss.


Buoyant bird.

A seagull on s bouy in the river Adur

Down by the Adur.


Watching the boats on the Adur rise as high tide approaches.


Laterns above the Adur

The Shoreham Light Parade

Took a riverside walk today. It’s a good reminder that Shoreham-by-Sea is still very much a working port.

Fishing boats moored in the Adur.

Sunset on the Adur.


Lovely morning down by the Adur.


Adur sunset

Sunset viewed from the Adur Ferry Bridge

Lovely morning down by the Adur as I walked home this morning.


Boats on the Adur

Boats moored in the River Adur between Shoreham-by-Sea and Shoreham Beach

Nice view as I crossed the bridge this evening.

View towards New Shoreham and the South Downs from the Adur Ferry Bridge.

Stunning evening down by the Adur.

Evening light on boats in the river Adur

Fog is making the Adur impressionistic today.