The appeal of the sea
 

I'm not your normal Brit as I'm not really interested in the sea. Ok, some time on the coast can be pleasant, but I prefer coastal walks or hiking to lying on the beach. But even I have to admit there is something special about seeing waves break against a rugged coast. Why is this?

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

I don't know but I totally agree with you, I have always lived right by the sea

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

Because the sea is a living thing?

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

I spent most of my years dreaming of living next to the sea, but after having done it for ten years or so, the novelty wore off to a certain extent and now I slightly favour living out in the sticks again.
As bil says the sea is virtually a living thing, with as many moods as a temperamental female.
Having sampled its sometimes unpredictable behaviour on occasions to numerous to mention, I now tend to treat it with the greatest of respect.

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

I was born near the sea and have always lived near the sea, although I’m stretching it a bit for my 30 years in London, counting the Thames as the sea.

At one stage I found myself living inland with the sea a thousand miles away in all directions. Panic is not the word for it, sheer terror is more appropriate.

I live some five miles away from the sea now, but I know it’s there, and at least twice a month I drive down to sit next to it. Or, better yet, walk along it with my thoughts. I’ve sailed on it too, across the fierce North Sea in winter, and I’ve fished all around the UK coast, in freezing weather, threading bleeding lug worm on to slippery hooks.

Bliss.

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

We chose to live inland in Spain, about 1 hour 20 mins from the sea. I wouldn't change our Pueblo for the world.... But I do miss the sea. I love the sound of crashing waves and smell of fresh wet sea-weedy air.
There must be something in our genes!!

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

The novelty does wear off. When I first moved from the Midlands to Scotland I had a house right on the sea front, in a fishing village. I was told you often got dolphins in the bay there but in the years I lived there I never saw them because I didn't look at the sea that much. I still like to go for a walk along a beach now and again but it's not something I particularly miss when I'm away from the coast. I think the sea does have a calming effect though. Being near something huge and untamed like that can help to get ones own trivial concerns into perspective. Fortunately, the east of Scotland is not much of a tourist area, so the fishing villages are proper Scottish communities rather than resorts created by property developers. If I moved to Spain I would look for somewhere inland for fear that the coast was tainted by commercialism.

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

I was born inland... but have lived within 5 miles of the sea since I was about 5. We're lucky here in that within a 20 minute walk I can see white sand beaches... or frothy waves crashing against dramatic black rocks.

I think I'd be ok if we moved inland... but it would have to be partway up a mountain or hill so I can still see the water.

Elle xx

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

I once lived in an atico in Denia, with a large terrace. If I sat on the left-hand side of the atico I had a view of the majestic Montgo mountain and the orange groves in front of it. If I sat on the other side I could see the Yacht club and sea.

My favourite chair was on the right-hand side, and although I walked up the mountain a few times, I walked the beaches on most days. My dog felt the same way, he wasn’t interested in mountain scenery, but once we got near to the beach his tail didn’t stop wagging. I didn’t let him on the sand, of course.

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

I believe you, thousands wouldn't. ;)

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

Well, one has to try! I did used to walk around with a little plastic bag and paper handkerchiefs when I walked the little dog in town, because the green wardens used to follow me around.

When I walk the Doberman now, I take him to some waste ground that’s full of waste and nothing else. He’s very obedient and when I tell him to shit, he does.

If he did it in the wrong place, I would need a shovel, and if the green wardens caught me I would probably be banged up.

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

We always used cardboard squares. When they went into the pre crap rumba, you slide the card under, and then pop card and all into the bag.

The only hazard was the risk of getting a 'Warm Thumb'.

Funniest of all was when the dog would then turn round to check what he had dropped. There would be one puzzled expression, and you could see him thinking 'I could have sworn I dropped it right here...'

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

We have a huge expanse of waste ground behind our home... so great for one of our two beasties to go "do his stuff". The weather here means that everything dries out very quickly too. I do always take a couple of nappy sacks when we walk them in the direction of town or near beaches... but haven't had to use them yet.

I swear my two have OCD - the older one will only go on one particular area of waste ground... and the younger one will only go on the picon in our garden.

Elle xx

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

The other funny was the 'where to crap dance' one of ours would spend ages going from pillar to post, and when he finally selected the spot, by the time he turned around, I'd be tying up the bag with the dog then trying to solve the 'disappearing turd' mystery.

Re: The appeal of the sea
 

Its because we are descended from Dolphins and lizards. FACT.