Seaside Postcard - Sepia Saturday

People paddling in this week's prompt - 

reminded me of an old postcard sent around 100 years ago from Mabel to Mrs Baker.

Brighton Beach

The card was posted on January 3rd but we have to work out the year from its reverse side.

Mabel's message to Mrs B

"Dear Mrs Baker, Brighton is very windy. We went out this morning and nearly got blown away, This afternoon we went on the pier. 

Jan 3rd, Thank your for the litter (sic). Wishing you a happy New year.

With love from Mabel."

The George V red one penny stamp was in use from 1912 - 1924. So that's why I say the card is around 100 years old.

I can't find either Littledene on Victoria Road or a Mrs Baker in that street although there are many 'Bakers' in the neighbourhood.

I doubt that Mabel would have been paddling on Brighton Beach in January all those years ago. However the postcard shows that it was a popular pastime there at other times.

Brighton beach is made up of shingle and not the sort I would be happy paddling from. I prefer the sandy type that we have in the north-east.

Saltburn Beach and Hunt Cliff 2013

And on the other side of the pier on the same October day.

Saltburn Beach

Well at least the dogs were paddling if not the people.

Now you may paddle over to Sepia-Saturday-234 to see who else is getting their feet wet.

Beached - Sepia Saturday

I nave lost count on how many beaches I have admired, even the empty ones which stretch from the:

Shoreline of Lake Michigan

To the sands of Cornwall.

Empty sands at Crantock, Cornwall

And nearer home in North Yorkshire.

Whitby looking towards Sandsend

However beaches are meant to be played on like this one more that 50 years ago (that's the nearest I'm allowed to date it)

Amy (on the left) and her daughter (future mother-in-law and wife)

Some years later in the 1970s, I get in on the act. Note the flared trousers.

The Scotneys and Andrew, their younger son

A few years earlier it was a case of someone taking charge.

Sandsend again. (Bob, Adrian, Andrew, Rachel laying down the law)

Same beach on a different day, some years later.

Andrew and his children

Apart from empty beaches we can even find an unusually empty sea.

Cornish Surf

This brings me to the UK Pro Surf Tour's Rookie of the Year 2013, grandson Angus Scotney and - .

UK Pro Surf Tour's Beach Bum U16 Boys Champion 2013

If you wish to get more sand between your toes and other unmentionable places then catch a wave and surf over to Sepia-Saturday-202.

At Leisure On The Beach

It seems strange posting views on English beaches when I'm on holiday in Michigan but here's two I'll share.

The first was taken in 2008. You may say this is not an old photo, but as it was taken while we celebrated our golden wedding I think that makes it qualify.Doesn't my son look lonely paddling in the sea?

Beach on Tresco in the Scilly Isles

The second photo is of my late father-in-law and one of his daughters, we're not sure which but the photo must be approaching 70 years old.

For more beach scenes visit Alan Burnett's Sepia Saturday.79