The insistent knocking at the door meant only one thing. We were heading out somewhere.

I’d not been back long from a local Farmer’s Market. After thinking about markets and food the other day I decided I should improve my cooking in the week ahead and try to prepare some different food with new ingredients.

As I pushed crab, wild boar and fresh beef into the fridge I tried to reason with Joanne that if we were going to the seaside it would be a good idea to have her hair tied up and wear a jumper at least. After chasing her down the road to Mum we were all sitting in Martin’s new car and driving off to the sea.

Rather than being calm and sunny, as it was in March when we were last here, today was sunny and stormy. So stormy in fact that the coastguard were busy pulling a ship away from the beach.

We only made it half way down the beach before Joanne’s boots started rubbing her feet and we had to turn around, this time with her bootless and on someone’s shoulders.

After an ice cream and some kite flying we set off to eat. The plan was to surprise Fhai, who normally misses out on trips. We hadn’t counted on Joanne’s memory and as we turned up at the yacht haven she announced that this was “where I had that big poo” and indeed she was right. We’d been here in March and sat out in the early sun.

It was too cold and dark to sit out tonight so instead we sat in the conservatory with fish and chips and beer and coke and watched the boats and planned ice skating trips.

Summer may be ending but I think the Fall will be a good one.

More pictures here.