hiking – Moving on to Bembridge

When you live near the coast it is easy to take it for granted , especially when the weather has been wet and windy , but walking at a slow pace and taking in what is around you is so important for our mental health ..If no Beach is near any green and open space or woodland is just as important.

Especially at the moment when spring is nearly here and the wildlife around is beginning to emerge more from the winter and arriving back to our shores from sunny places.

When we are feeling overwhelmed or sad it is much more beneficial than sat indoors watching daytime TV or just not being mobile. I know it is not an easy thing to do if there are health problems but get a walking frame or an electric mobility scooter . I had a knee replaced and before that happened I could not easily walk and the best thing I brought was a scooter . I thought my pride would stop me but it was either be in doors and feeling sorry for myself or get out there.

my knee is now replaced and healed and I can walk almost anywhere although I wobble over some rough ground .

When you go for this short slow walk… take your camera or phone .It is amazing how different things look through a lens with memories to look back on .your phone is so much more than for making a phone call or sending a message.

The weather here on the Isle of Wight since beginning of January has been really unusually wet (if that is possible )

Yesterday the 9th of February was better , blue sky and no rain so a good opportunity so get out and take a slow walk along the beach at the Duver St Helens . it was just what I needed strolling a long , picking up shells ,sitting on a rock just listening to the sound of the Solent and seeing the waves hit the rocks around me .

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All photos are by me unless otherwise stated

Ducie Beach , Bembridge.

Ducie Beach is less than ten minutes walk from my cottage , It has only been in the last few weeks that I have been able to go there for any length of time due to my knee replacement operation a year ago.

I feel confident now going on my own going up and down steps , over pebbles , and over rocks ( only small rocks )

The start of my walk is down a stony lane which leads to the beach . Walking down the lane to the beach is so relaxing as I have trees , flowers and wildlife to observe….Including at the beginning of the stony lane is this Edward Vll postbox which is still emptied every day.

This post box has been here since 1901 when Edward became King of United Kingdom . Edward was the second son of Queen Victoria .

I am now well on the way to the beach after passing a beautiful line of lavender .

Lavender has so many wonderful medicinal properties and has wonderful aromatic qualities.. .The flower heads can be used in essential oils , scented candles and soaps but is often used for stress relief , helping to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.

Lavender oil can also be used to treat skin conditions like eczema and acne..It may also help with headaches ,nervous disorders and exhaustion. It can be used also as a natural insect repellent when placed around the home or in sachets.

I am now nearing the beach where there are about twenty steps down to the beach , by the steps is a lovely bench if I could not make the steps . I can sit here look at the solent and watch the world go by.

It is now the steps which I am just able to the do since my operation and I am at the most wonderful beach which is so beautiful and peaceful , I could be any where in the world .