Nadine Brown

a line of green against light brown. As you ride, the dunes rise up and down between the road and the waterfront. When you speed up, pushing the pedals faster, the terrain rolls by rhythmically, taking on a mesmerizing quality. In the spaces between the little hills, you get glimpses of sparkling blue waves beyond, like a game of peekaboo.

You come to a wood plank walkway that heads in the direction of the water. This is where you will pause. Popping off your bicycle, you remove your shoes and put them in the basket that hangs off the front. Then you begin walking the bicycle toward the surf. The planks are smooth underfoot and dusted lightly with gritty sand that reminds you of large sugar crystals.

You come to a wood plank walkway that heads in the direction of the water. This is where you will pause. Popping off your bicycle, you remove your shoes and put them in the basket that hangs off the front. Then you begin walking the bicycle toward the surf. The planks are smooth underfoot and dusted lightly with gritty sand that reminds you of large sugar crystals.

You come to a wood plank walkway that heads in the direction of the water. This is where you will pause. Popping off your bicycle, you remove your shoes and put them in the basket that hangs off the front. Then you begin walking the bicycle toward the surf. The planks are smooth underfoot and dusted lightly with gritty sand that reminds you of large sugar crystals.

You wonder if you are the only person for miles around. Hidden among the dunes, you are immersed in the rustling of the grasses. They wave by the thousands around you. Each individual blade joins with a thousand others in a subtle chorus. The gulls cry out as they soar through the sky above. Up ahead, you hear the relaxing sound of the sea crashing gently on the shore.

You wonder if you are the only person for miles around. Hidden among the dunes, you are immersed in the rustling of the grasses. They wave by the thousands around you. Each individual blade joins with a thousand others in a subtle chorus. The gulls cry out as they soar through the sky above. Up ahead, you hear the relaxing sound of the sea crashing gently on the shore.

You wonder if you are the only person for miles around. Hidden among the dunes, you are immersed in the rustling of the grasses. They wave by the thousands around you. Each individual blade joins with a thousand others in a subtle chorus. The gulls cry out as they soar through the sky above. Up ahead, you hear the relaxing sound of the sea crashing gently on the shore.

The boardwalk you are following gives the illusion of narrowing further on, where it emerges from the dunes and ends on the beach. The foamy surf gets closer and closer as you near that point. You lean your bike against a grassy little hill. It will be here for you when you return. The powdery sand is loose under your feet at first.

The boardwalk you are following gives the illusion of narrowing further on, where it emerges from the dunes and ends on the beach. The foamy surf gets closer and closer as you near that point. You lean your bike against a grassy little hill. It will be here for you when you return. The powdery sand is loose under your feet at first.

The boardwalk you are following gives the illusion of narrowing further on, where it emerges from the dunes and ends on the beach. The foamy surf gets closer and closer as you near that point. You lean your bike against a grassy little hill. It will be here for you when you return. The powdery sand is loose under your feet at first.

Its colour is very pale, ranging from almost white to shades of beige. Your toes sink into it, the ground moulding to their shape. As you get closer to the water's edge, the texture of the sand changes, becoming packed and damp. The temperature of it changes too, It retains the coolness of the water that has recently washed over it.

Its colour is very pale, ranging from almost white to shades of beige. Your toes sink into it, the ground moulding to their shape. As you get closer to the water's edge, the texture of the sand changes, becoming packed and damp. The temperature of it changes too, It retains the coolness of the water that has recently washed over it.

Its colour is very pale, ranging from almost white to shades of beige. Your toes sink into it, the ground moulding to their shape. As you get closer to the water's edge, the texture of the sand changes, becoming packed and damp. The temperature of it changes too, It retains the coolness of the water that has recently washed over it.

This part of the beach seems impervious to the warm rays of the sun. You look down while you walk, relishing the idea that you have left your mark on this stretch of pristine shoreline. But as you move, the footprints you made in the sand begin to fill with water. The sea doesn't seem to mind your visit, but it won't let you lay any claim to its shores. The tide is on its way out.

This part of the beach seems impervious to the warm rays of the sun. You look down while you walk, relishing the idea that you have left your mark on this stretch of pristine shoreline. But as you move, the footprints you made in the sand begin to fill with water. The sea doesn't seem to mind your visit, but it won't let you lay any claim to its shores. The tide is on its way out.

This part of the beach seems impervious to the warm rays of the sun. You look down while you walk, relishing the idea that you have left your mark on this stretch of pristine shoreline. But as you move, the footprints you made in the sand begin to fill with water. The sea doesn't seem to mind your visit, but it won't let you lay any claim to its shores. The tide is on its way out.

As you venture even closer, the water occasionally washes over your feet. The sensation is bracing and cold as the tiny waves briefly cover your toes and slide away as if inviting you to give chase. You are not completely alone as it turns out. The only other people you see are a couple who are lounging some distance away in striped chairs.

As you venture even closer, the water occasionally washes over your feet. The sensation is bracing and cold as the tiny waves briefly cover your toes and slide away as if inviting you to give chase. You are not completely alone as it turns out. The only other people you see are a couple who are lounging some distance away in striped chairs.

As you venture even closer, the water occasionally washes over your feet. The sensation is bracing and cold as the tiny waves briefly cover your toes and slide away as if inviting you to give chase. You are not completely alone as it turns out. The only other people you see are a couple who are lounging some distance away in striped chairs.

As you watch, they stand up and run down to the surf, splashing boldly into the cold water. They dive into the waves, determined to take the plunge. Then, shivering lightly, they stand up dripping and laughing together. Returning to their seats, they towel off and wrap themselves in thick, cosy hotel robes. Then they open a wicker picnic basket and begin to share some fruit and cheese.