...blue space therapy (Seahouses IV)

Last weekend I knitted my way through a skein of Lang Mille Colori Baby yarn, and made myself a rainbow-hued ear-warming headband to wear during another flying (three nights) visit to Seahouses. It's based on Martina Behm's Wolkig cowl pattern - I cast on the same number of stitches but just used smaller needles to get a closer fit. This yarn/pattern combo was so addictive, it practically knitted itself - the temptation to knit "just one more round" in those gorgeous shifting colours was far too strong!

Travelling to the beach at Seahouses is becoming increasingly like going on a pilgrimage to a sacred place for me - I always feel so happy and peaceful there. There might even be a scientific basis for this strong sense of well-being and contentment - it seems that being by water is good for body and mind, and I'm certain that this is true for me. Whether it's the wide open space, or the light, or the ever-changing landcape, or the white noise of the waves along the shore, there's something about this place that soothes my soul and makes me simply glad to be alive.

We arrived just after high tide on Monday afternoon, to find a fresh display of sculptural seaweed patterns on the sand...

...and then walked back along the lane to our holiday cottage as the sun went down across the fields.

The following morning we were back at the beach bright and early to take full advantage of the space at low tide. There really is nothing so breath-takingly beautiful as the perfect mirroring of that vast blue sky on the flat wet sand...

...unless its a having a perfect rainbow emerge through the clouds!

In the afternoon we had a stroll into Seahouses to pick up a few bits and pieces from the Co-op and sat for a while watching the comings and goings of boats in the harbour - whilst being expertly photo-bombed by the XXSCat dog.

The following morning found us back at the beach again, exploring sandscape forests...

...under soft, powder blue skies...

...and uncovering jewel-like treasures amongst the seaweed. 

Then we spent a cosy, relaxing afternoon, watching a DVD together while I knitted a small grey jumper for  a small grey rescued bear. 

The final morning was different again. With a pearly, cloud-filled sky overhead we had to look harder to find colour in the landscape...

...but this magical place never disappoints, and we found it in a wave-etched vista on this sandy, seaweed-strewn rock.

Although I'm happy to be home again after those few days away, I know that it will be only a matter of time before I'm headed North past Gormley's Angel for another healing dose of heavenly blue space and tranquility on that lovely beach.