So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye.

Gathered together for a week in our house our granddaughters have gone to Austria. There is a plan for them to dance and pose on the Sound of Music Field, where the hills will be alive with an assortment of music. Chinese traditional tunes about mothers and the tunes from Frozen and Moana are more likely than The Hills being Alive.

With their departure there was, of course, increased domestic admin and a crack on with some postponed domestic paperwork. Domestic admin started early and was all on the washing line early. Grown up domestic admin of the paperwork variety had been allotted an hour but took nearer 3! We rewarded ourselves with a post high tide swim.

It occurred to me today that I never photograph our most used sea entry steps from the sea direction. Today the rocks were still wet and glistening from the lowering tide. Many shades of red, yellow and orange rock which beautifully demonstrate how Firestone Bay got its name.

Despite it being the first week of August the bay was quiet and we got a small sloping beach to ourselves for a half hour of sun worship. Then a quick swim back to these steps to dry off before walking home.

When I didn’t live by the coast there was always a poignant last visit to a favourite beach on any holiday.

This small bay is on my daily dog walk rota and I swim here most days in the summer and at least every week all year. I never have to think of any visit that it will be my last. Inevitably one visit, some time in the future a last visit will come

But after a week of small people in my bed the only last of the day is this.

No more small feet in my bed, until the next time.