Beach Life ....

It has to be one of the best things about living in Brighton. Actually no, it is the best thing about living in Brighton. The beach. Ok it's pebble (apparently 614 billion of them) and not white sand, but then you can't have everything and the pebbles don't seem to matter so much when you have that vast, open scenery that is the ocean. To me, a beach is not just about the colour and material of the shore, it's all about losing yourself, and your mind, into the big blue and the sky that meets it and the clouds that hover above it. Where else do you see and feel that imposing creation of nature? In the mountains, but the closest we have to those on our doorstep are the Downs (and there's another great thing about living in Brighton). If the pebbles really bother you, wait till low tide where you can find long stretches of sand, which is great fun for children and paddling, or move down the coast way in to Hove and beyond where the pebbles are more shingle and comfortable. And at the edge of a busy and very colourful city, the beach is right there ... just literally turn your back on the craziness and be somewhere else. Beach life in Brighton is alive, fun and happening with many sports - go to Yellowave, for some hot Volleyball action or Hove Lagoon for a whole host of water sports and sailing activities. The beach has some great cafes (check out the new Bandstand cafe (alfresco style) for a real taste of 'being on holiday') and restaurants (Due South is special). But above all of this, what I love most about living by the beach is that after a day at work I can swim in the sea, wash all my troubles away (it's amazing for hangovers!), feel truly alive and be ready to take on the world. It's a special feeling.