Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

Well, this is a new venture for me - writing that is. Not that I've never written at all, written communication has always been part of my job and an ability I have a degree of pride in - but writing for public consumption? That's new!

Maybe it's just me, but I found myself debating my motives for doing this. Eventually I came to no particular conclusion, other than that I wanted to share some of the pleasures of one aspect of my life with a wider audience. The particular aspect I mean is that I do live beside the sea, quite literally a stone's throw from the beach, and I find it brings a dimension to day to day existence that's become very important to me.

Firstly, and obviously, there's the view. We have an unimpeded outlook over the North Sea, from the cliffs around Saltburn to the South East, round to Hartlepool and beyond to the North West. On a good day we can see the high-rise flats in Sunderland, 40 miles by road and I'd guess at least 30 miles as the crow flies. There is almost always shipping entering and leaving Teesport; many ships moor offshore whilst waiting for entry, and particularly on a night when their lights are lit it looks like a city in the sea. There is also the comings and goings of the Redcar fishing fleet to watch, with boats being launched and recovered from the beach directly opposite, not to mention the pleasure craft - yachts from Hartlepool Sailing Club making passage to Whitby, jet-skis, dinghys - we've even had a small home built hover craft.

There's an abundance of wild life too. Virtually all types of seagull, terns, herons, guillemots, oyster catchers, dunlin, sand martins, seals occasionally - and many more. Even a whale! When the tide is out there's a huge expanse of beach before us, full of life. The beach itself constantly changes, with rock pools, wind and tide engineered patterns reflecting the sun, and the ceaseless restless action of the sea itself.

All of the above can be enjoyed without even setting foot outside! We do of course go down to the beach, often, taking our two dogs who love it. Fresh air, exercise, a sense of room and freedom - what could be better?

I'll continue this in due course - I hope to write about specific events and times which typify and illustrate my fascination with life by the sea; and hopefully convey some of the impact it has on me.