The tide's out!

April seems to be coming to an end with plenty of rain.  Not little short showers but a good downpour all day.  We're back to standing water in the gardens again; the ground is still saturated from all the winter rain.  

A gallop on Appley Sands; yachts on the Solent and Portsmouth in the background

This afternoon, however, cleared bright and sunny, though still a bit chilly and breezy, but I was in need of a good walk so I took myself off along the esplanade towards Seaview.  It's always a popular walk on a Sunday afternoon, and there were lots of people about.

Seaview in the distance. 

The tide was out - way, way out.  From a distance, the pier looked as if it had been left high and dry, and the hovercraft was making it's approach to the slipway across a vast expanse of wet sand. 

The white wading bird at the water's edge is an egret; one of the Solent forts looming in the background.

 I walked along the sea wall as far as Seaview, but walked all the way back along the beach.  The huge shingle bank that was thrown up during the storms a few months ago is still there, but it is gradually flattening out.

 

Appley Tower

I thoroughly enjoyed my walk; if nothing else it blows the cobwebs away and gives me a good dose of healthy sea air.

I'm still working on the wedding cushion and really enjoying the hand stitching.  Hopefully it should be finished this week.  Then I need to give some thought to a dress for the wedding.  And do I wear a hat?