The pebble beach at Dunwich Heath is a favourite retreat of mine. I love the cliffs and the panoramic views across the sea and Minsmere Bird Reserve. I’ve always had an affinity with the sea and feel a wonderful sense of calm whenever I visit the coast.

We’d been planning this trip for a week or so. The gorgeous weather was making me keen to spend a nice day in the sun, so we chose our destination and purchased a beach tent. Of course, it then proceeded to cloud over the next day and I was gutted at the prospect of weeks passing before we were blessed with clear skies again. This morning the forecast looked hopeful, so Sprogzilla went down early for his nap at 11am and we got everything ready and packed. This in itself is quite an achievement for us as both Sprogdaddy and I are terribly disorganised.

It was beginning to feel like we were not meant to go because the boy decided to sleep for three hours instead of his usual one hour and twenty minutes. By now, sheer stubbornness had determined that we were going to the beach today, so we no longer cared that it would be halfway through the afternoon before we arrived.

The journey was fairly dull and it didn’t help having a whiny child in the back, but at last we were there. It was a bit windy, but the sun was shining and it turns out we had the beach to ourselves! We pitched our tent in front of a little sand dune and laid out our blankets and picnic.

Sprogzilla was fascinated with the pebbles and industriously collected them in his bucket. He even helped us fill the sandbags in the tent to weigh it down. Whilst I lounged in the shade, he paddled around in the sea with his Daddy and got himself thoroughly soaked. We stayed for a couple of hours and it was a lovely afternoon.

As well as taking photos of the boy, I couldn’t resist snapping some of the scenery and the view across Minsmere to the nuclear power station at Sizewell. To the north, you can just make out the lighthouse at Southwold. Had we more time, it would have been nice to nip up to Walberswick or perhaps walk around the bird reserve.

I’ve linked up this post over at Coombe Mill’s Country Kids, so do pop over and look at the other lovely entries.

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