Sunset Paddle Boarders

After two lockdown birthdays, it’s wonderful to be able to celebrate without restrictions today. 

For the third year running, I have sunshine to celebrate, but today I’m also blessed by Daniel and Solveig joining us for the weekend, though sadly Simon and Lloyd have to remain in London. 

It’s a blissful day starting with coffee down on the beach, a brunch organised by our lovely neighbours, followed by an afternoon of present opening and relaxation. 

I turn down the offer of a fancy birthday meal, opting instead to go to West Shore to watch the sunset - accompanied by a celebratory bottle of champagne - before returning home for takeaway pizzas. Of course, despite the weather, there’s never any guarantee of spectacle. The tide’s in and clouds are in short supply, so this is a less dramatic sunset than many we have witnessed, but the golden glow and gentle lapping waves more than compensate - and of course the real magic comes from experiencing the moment together. Bliss.

The beach is far busier than it’s been for months, but somehow sunset brings a quiet calm, and I love the silhouettes formed against the golden sea. And magically, two paddle boarders manage to manoeuvre just into the setting sun’s reflection. Inevitably this becomes my main.

In extras there’s a shot of Solveig taken slightly earlier, a silhouette collage, and a birthday collage.