Simply gently wonderful

 We looked at each other over the empty breakfast bowls and half drunk mugs of tea and almost simultaneously said ... shall we go out in the van?  In what felt like record time, we'd packed and were trundling off towards our nearest coastal patch where Moss has a favourite dog loop (well lets face it she has lots of favourite dog loops but this one must top them all!)

Are we nearly there yet?

We arrived by lunch and within moments of stopping we threw the doors open and had the kettle on. On the horizon the clouds tumbled and turned black and looked incredible. We sat drinking mugs of tea and savoured our lunch as we watched a fantastic storm out at sea. There were a few splots near us but we must have just been on the fringe of the storm so we could smell the rain and feel the warm and blustery wind - it was elating!

Lunch as we wait for the rain to arrive

After lunch we set off with Moss leading the way - she knew where she wanted to go and we let her take us. She dragged us down at double quick time into the village of Glasson via the docks then over the swing bridge down to the Lune estuary edge. Once there we let her off the lead and we wandered in brilliant sunshine - it was so warm and the scent from the dog roses was intoxicating. There were so many butterflies about and we stopped several times to try and take photos but they flittered from flower to flower so joyously that we could not keep up. We watched the common terns hunt for fish, first hovering then plunging into the riverine edges then flying off to their nests with beaks filled with silvery snacks. As she sunbathed, Moss grinned from her tail to her chops.

Aw com'on peeps less bird watchin' and more dog walkin' says Moss

Our path continued along the disused railway line where we turned off and worked our way along the lanes to Condor Mill and then onto the canal tow path. Moss inspected every possible entry point so she could slip into the tepid water for a swim. 

Momma swan proudly watching over her brood

The swan family we'd noticed nesting a couple of months ago now have a family of cygnets on the water and I managed to snap a photo quickly before the adults became cross. At the marina basin Moss swam for a little while until we had to call her out and head back to the van - we could see the clouds building up again and we wanted to make sure we were not caught out in any rain.

The hugest cloud in the sky dwarfing Sunderland Point as it hurled rain down on the sea

Back at the van, dog towelled dry, fed, dozing and drying in the warm sunlight, we had a brew and watched another summer storm roll by along the horizon. As the sun dropped we were treated to an amazingly colourful sky. Moss slept through it all - she is a funny ol' thing - as soon as we return to the van from a jolly out she wants to sit in the cab on her bed and have a post-walk-nap!

Moss dozing in the sun on her mattress, warm and full of food - happy dog!

After we'd eaten we went back out for an evening dog loop (Moss was besides herself with wuffety happiness) returning to the van to sit and watch the sky darken as the sun slipped under the sea as we sipped tea. We sat there and felt absolutely at peace and gently happy.

Simple pleasures, simply gently wonderful. We all need more days like these.