BEACHCOMBING

On a sunny but windy day, Pauline and I went in search of driftwood on the beach and dunes of Aberlady Bay. Many's a time that Pauline has returned from our own nearby beaches, with tiny treasures of polished glass and pebbles, or shells, and re-purposed them into bits of art for her garden.

I've visited and blogged about Aberlady Bay many times, so as a wee change this week, to accompany my photos, is a poem by Angela Wybrow.

 

As the tide retreats, it leaves behind

Once hidden treasures, for folk to find.

Left revealed, is a long strip of shiny, wet sand,

Where treasures, now at their journey's end, will land

By the sea, small pieces of glass have been ground,

Leaving their once sharp edges, smooth and round.

There are a few fallen feathers from visiting gulls.

Smooth egg-shaped pebbles, both shiny and dull.

Shells of all shapes, such as cones, conches and scallops,

Are washed ashore by the powerful sea, as it gallops.

There are lions paws, kings crowns, tulips, angel wings

Slipper shells, jewel boxes, moon snails and other things

Sugar kelp, Bladderwrack and Dead Man's Fingers,

Are some of the seaweeds which, on the shore, linger

The sight of numerous pieces of discarded litter

Leaves behind a taste, in my mouth, that is bitter.

Pieces of driftwood, many with interesting shapes,

From the endlessly shifting sea, make their escape.

If, along a sandy beach, you take a relaxing wander,

There are many treasures on which you can ponder.

Folk can while away many an hour of pleasure,

Sifting amongst all the newly arrived treasure.
An hour or two spent exploring a sandy cove,

Can potentially reveal a whole treasure trove.