Salty

We've been waiting for a weekend when the tide is out at a suitable time for us to take Merlin to the beach.  Today it was due to be low tide at lunchtime so after his usual morning walk, we took him to the beach at Hayling Island.  

The light was bright and in the shelter of the groynes the air was warm enough to sit and bask in the sunshine.  The sea was rougher than we had anticipated.  Big waves were crashing to the shore sending the water rolling far up the beach.  So we decided not to let Merlin off the lead as we weren't sure if he would try to run into the water.  Also, being his first trip to a big beach we didn't know how far he would run.  He seemed to enjoy himself, sniffing the sea air, digging in the sand and trying to eat the seaweed!

At first the beach was backed by houses, but as we walked we reached a heathland nature reserve and RNLI lifeboat station where the lifeboat people were washing down one of the inshore rescue boats.  There was also plenty going on out in the water as there is a sailing club near by - which Andy belonged to many years ago.  He was delighted when one of the types of boat he used to sail - a Fireball - came past with its spinnaker out - a salute to all the times he raced out in the bay there.

We plan to return to the beach hopefully when the sea is a little calmer so we can let Merlin off for a run.