CHRIS, THE LIFEGUARD & NEWS OF ESTELLE

I'm now back at the coast for a few days on my own, before Mr HCB joins me early next week. Couldn't see a thing when I first got here because of the sea mist but eventualy it cleared and then we had bright sunshine, so a walk along the prom, after the shopping had been done, seemed a good thing to do.

I saw Chris, my favourite RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeguard washing down the all-terrain vehicle (quad) and stopped to have a quick chat with him. Apparently, this four-wheel-drive quad allows quick response to incidents across the softest of sand. With good manoeuvrability and all-round visibility, it can be used on the busiest of beaches and as they never know when they will need it, they have to keep it in tip-top condition.

I noticed that the RNLI cabin is now back down on the beach, having been on the prom for the winter, so the lifeguards are now ready for the influx of visitors, probably starting at Easter. They are great lads and it's no easy job being a lifeguard - they need to be fit, fast and strong – able to swim 200m in under 3½ minutes and run 200m on sand in under 40 seconds. If you're interested, you can read more about them here.

LATEST NEWS ON ESTELLE

I emailed Estelle's daughter last night to find out the latest news and she said she had spoken to her Dad yesterday, who told her that Estelle is doing really well - stringing a few words together and being very cheeky! She wanted to get on to her computer and although her Dad didn't have a clue, she was determined to get on there. She said that Estelle is very determined and strong-willed (this is why she's still alive) so she will, no doubt, come on in leaps and bounds with her recovery. She also wanted to thank everyone for their kind words, prayers, cards, good wishes and support.

You are a great bunch of blippers and I have no doubt myself that Estelle will soon be back with us, blipping away! Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

“And once the storm is over,
you won’t remember how you made it through,
how you managed to survive.
You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over.
But one thing is certain.
When you come out of the storm,
you won’t be the same person who walked in.
That’s what this storm’s all about.”
― Haruki Murakami