I spent the past weekend with my life long friends Mick and Gail at their lovely home in Kent, not too far from where we grew up.
Gail, Mick and I went to school together when we were little children….i.e. five years old! Although I left the UK in 1966 for the States and didn’t return until 1993, our friendship endured.
Interestingly we are all artists. Mick a photographer/musician and Gail, writer, historian and musician. There must have been something in the water at the school we attended.
This visit was super special because I got to meet Cosmo, their first grandchild….and he is an angel……
Cosmo in the garden…..such a joy. 
Mick – watercolour
Gail – watercolour
On Saturday we drove to Viking Bay Broadstairs to reminisce. It turned out to be a perfect day in every way including the weather.
Given that Mick and Gail live in the middle of the countryside we drove…..and immediately found a parking place just a minute from the Bay. Good start…..
Broadstairs is a place where we spent a lot of our childhood….and so I am really happy to report that Viking Bay is relatively unchanged other than some new amusements for children at one end of the beach. The pier is still the same and many of the cafes and shops overlooking the beach are still there…including Morelli’s ice cream and coffee which was our first port of call……and oh my it was good. 
Overlooking this part of the beach is the old band stand….a place I always enjoyed as a child. I have special memories of when my Grandmother would take me to Broadstairs for the week….just the two of us. She would allow me to do all sorts of things including enter the talent competitions held on the band stand. Such happy memories:)
On the bandstand this Saturday – no competition this time……
Sixty three years, before when I was ten years old….close to the pier. Time is such an illusion. 
As we walked along the promenade we happened upon this lovely woman with her even lovelier cat:). Apparently the cat walked with her every day to the beach. When we came across her, I had just been saying how much I look forward to having another cat of my own. A good omen I think…..
We then walked to the pier where we had the most delicious fish and chips….watched over by this very healthy looking seagull who I am glad to report behaved him/herself. 
All the while, we talked about our childhood memories….It was such a gentle, lovely day….and again another reminder of the importance of making the most of every single moment.
As we sat there enjoying the views, sounds, and smells and of course our fish and chips, I was reminded of this quote by Alan Watts
‘I have realised that the past and future are real illusions, that they exist in the present, which is what there is and all there is…….’
The hummingbirds are weaving their magic…… watercolour
This magical hummingbird is drinking from the sweet nectar of life…………………
A Bientôt
