Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2021 i Coast

The season is changing, leaves are falling from the trees and frost is patterning the grass in the mornings. As we move into winter, it’s time to hunker down and consolidate what we have learned and experienced during 2021 and prepare to renew and reinvigorate ourselves for 2022. In this issue of coast we travel to Gower in South Wales to meet a couple who are living their dream life by the sea (page 30). For recently retired teachers Anna Zoeftig and Jem Howe, their coastal location offers them a quality of life many people only dream of, full of outdoor activities that revolve around the sea. I hope that by reading their story, you too are inspired to make plans in the next year to bring you closer to…

FIND OF THE MONTH Whitby sculptor Emma Stothard has teamed up with the town’s famous jewellers, W Hamond, to launch the Silver Darlings collection. Herrings or ‘silver darlings’ have inspired Emma’s new range of necklaces, pendants, charms and earrings, prices from £99 (whamond.com).…

When sea-obsessed mum and teacher Claire Vowell began discovering more and more microplastics and nurdles on regular beach cleans in Dorset and during visits to family on the Welsh coast a few years ago, she decided to turn trash into treasure. As well as her resin earrings and necklaces filled with colourful ocean plastics, Claire has also written a series of children’s books starring ‘Nurdle’, which aim to help educate children on the dangers of plastic in our seas through fun and engaging storytelling. To browse Claire’s upcycled jewellery visit etsy.com/uk/shop/SeabornDesign or for more information on Nurdle, and other learning resources, visit nurdlenerd.co.uk.…

A Portuguese craft beer that donates all of its profits to global ocean conservation has finally reached the shores of Britain five years after launching – and it’s ready to keep making good. Led by master brewer Fernando Escribano, the award-winning range features Surfer IPA beer, Ocean Lager and an alcohol-free beer which are all vegan, ethically brewed and bottled using over 70% recycled glass, with 100% of the packaging being recyclable. Prices start from £79.50 for a case of 24 bottles, which can be ordered online at oceanbeer.com.…

Part of an army family, I grew up in lots of different places but my best childhood memories are of time spent on the beach at Brighton where Dad is from, surrounded by my cousins. I’ve always felt the sea is in my soul, it’s the place that I feel calmest, and my favourite poem is Sea Fever by John Masefield – I learnt it when I was at boarding school and it has never left me. I always knew I wanted to live by the sea and my husband is from Kent and wanted us to return to the countryside. Whitstable is the best of both, and we moved in October 2019. It’s an easy place to fall in love with – there are independent shops and cafés and…

Life is good in Gower. The Welsh peninsula’s sweeping sandy coastline and watersports are second to none, while unspoilt countryside offers great walking and cycling, and the community is welcoming. For recently retired teachers Anna Zoeftig and Jem Howe, living in the village of Middleton close to Rhossili Bay has given them the coastal life they love for three decades. On clear days they can see the North Devon coast from their bedroom window; on winter days they can hear waves breaking on the shore, three minutes’ walk away along cliff paths. After breakfast, Anna might do some admin for the small B&B and holiday let they have recently launched, or go for a run around the lanes or for a swim with a friend at the beach (she goes…

CORNISH PROPERTY FOR SALE A seaside fisherman’s cottage in Mousehole, Cornwall, with superb views over to St Michael’s Mount, is the perfect retreat for two. Downstairs, there’s an open-plan living zone and kitchen kept warm by a large wood-burner. Upstairs is the master bedroom, bathroom (with underfloor heating) and snug, all flooded by natural light that pours in from skylights. Outside, the stone terrace provides a place to sit out and enjoy the seaside panorama whenever the fancy takes. Saltponds is priced at £685,000 and on sale with themodernhouse.com. OCEAN BLUE HUE Looking for that perfect sea blue for a winter painting project? The London-based design studio Kitesgrove has teamed up with paint makers Farrow & Ball to create a new deep teal colour, using tones of green, blue and…

Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex is a sleepy sort of place. A neighbour of Frinton-on-Sea, the town’s small high street leads down to a pier and a pedestrian promenade. At low tide there’s a big expanse of sandy beach, which is washed clean again as the sea pours back in at high tide. There’s a bumper crop of terraced beach huts too – more than 1,000 – rising up from the beaches at Southcliff and Eastcliff. It’s here that Nina Chinsky, former fashion marketeer and owner of Ladybird Seascapes, has caused a local and national stir with the transformation of her beach hut Seahorse into a colourful canvas for Pop Art. Nina first got the beach hut bug in 2016 when she and her family – husband Jonathan and two daughters, Ursula…

We only had a few days on the Isles of Scilly because there was an unusually good wind forecast to take us across the English Channel and down the Bay of Biscay, and it would have been criminal to not make best use of it. However, on our final day in this amazing archipelago as I lay on the white sand overlooking the lagoons of St Martins while soaking up a rare brilliance of British sun, I couldn’t help but think this would be a perfect place to spend a summer holiday RuckRafting. The design of a RuckRaft is genius; you tow a manually inflatable raft that has a heavy-duty waterproof bag strapped to it, packed with your backpack and camping kit. The Isles of Scilly would be ideal for…

I’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS! Please email me with your ideas, feedback, creative projects and reports of your coastal adventures at coast.ed@kelsey.co.uk. Alex Fisher, Editor-in-Chief @alexfishermedia COAST IN THE CLOAKROOM As a passionate subscriber to coast, I thought you might like this photo of the new storage unit in our downstairs cloakroom. We usually manage to escape to the coast on a regular basis, but this is now a cheerful reminder when this is not possible! Sue Lusher SPECTACULAR SCOTLAND I wanted to share this photo I took at the beginning of August. Myself, my partner Amanda and daughter Jess paddled out for about 20 minutes or so onto a secluded beach in Morar Bay, Lochaber. The islands in the background are Rum on the right and Eigg on the…

JESSICA JOHNSON Jessica has worked on coast since 2013 and for the last five years has compiled our news and events pages, combing the British Isles for the campaigns, businesses and green initiatives making a positive difference to our seashores. Although this is her last issue as News Editor, she is still looking forward to contributing features and focussing on wider editorial projects from her home on the Lincolnshire coast. She’s found it both a joy and a privilege to connect with the coastal community and, in particular, to witness the tide turning in the fight against ocean plastic pollution. JAMES BALSTON James originally trained and worked as an interior designer, before switching to photography nearly 20 years ago. His portfolio includes all aspects of interior and architectural photography, from…

1 THIS CHOCOLATE Handcrafted in Dorset by sustainable chocolate maker Chococo, these charming penguins make the ultimate stocking filler – available in milk, dark and gold, caramelised white chocolate (£10, chococo.co.uk). 2 THIS MAGAZINE Dive into the kaleidoscopic world of artists and makers with coast Saltwater Living magazine. Packed with inspiring creative projects to try, it also makes the perfect gift for an art-loving friend (£6.99, shop.kelsey.co.uk). 3 THESE CARDS Have yourself a campervan Christmas with these cheery charity cards from the RNLI. Proceeds from each pack will help fund its lifesaving service to help the crews save lives at sea (£4.50/8 cards, shop.rnli.org). 4 THESE DECORATIONS Whether you’re by the coast or planning your next trip, these whitewashed wooden Christmas decorations, hung by brown string, will bring a rustic,…

Is there anything more alluring than an island? Writer Peter Naldrett doesn’t think so. His detailed and inspiring guide – covering over 200 of Britain’s most stunning and fascinating islands – builds the perfect case for getting out and exploring some of our most beloved, and lesser known pieces of sea-fringed lands. Highlighting must-see attractions, nature spots and sporting activities along with the best places to stay, eat and how to navigate between mainland with ease, there’s something for every aspiring traveller ready to create an island-hopping bucket list. Treasured Islands by Peter Naldrett (£18.99, paperback, Bloomsbury).…

For where to buy, see Stockists, page 116…

Got a friend or family member who loves the seaside? Subscribe to coast today for them! They can become part of our lovely coast community and discover the best places for amazing staycations, where to find deserted sandy beaches, excellent restaurants with sea views, and incredible wildlife encounters. Learn about the fascinating history and culture on our shores, and meet artists and makers who will share their craft tips, plus top chefs who share their recipes! As well as providing an immersive travel experience, we also seek out great coastal properties for sale by the sea every month. Those who are looking to move to the coast can learn about up-and-coming seaside locations, and find advice on decorating their home and making the most of a coastal life. Make someone…

1 Visit Little Valley Bakery at Parkmill near Three Cliffs Bay Beach. ‘It’s an artisan bakery that started off as a hobby and kept serving the community throughout lockdown. The cinnamon buns and sourdough breads are wonderful!’ (littlevalleybakery.com). 2 Book at the Britannia Inn in Llanmadoc. ‘This pub is lovely in winter, when the fire is roaring and people sing songs over Christmas. Try the local ales and order up a nice supper.’ (britanniagower.com). 3 Go for a walk on Llangennith Beach. ‘The three-mile-long beach joins onto Rhossili Bay and you can walk on a hill behind the beach for expansive views. There’s a Norwegian shipwreck to explore too, the Helvetia.’ 4 Discover the peninsula’s castles. ‘Gower is dotted with castles, including 12th-century Pennard Castle and 14th-century Weobley Castle, a…

JEWELS FROM THE COAST Gift a little bit of the coast with jewellery inspired by natural and beautiful forms – you’ll find pebbles, shells and even tiny gig boats. All handmade in solid silver on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. Prices start from £55. Go to chesiljewellery.co.uk or email crystal@chesiljewellery.co.uk. A CREAM CORNWALL CHRISTMAS! Known for distinctive coastal homewares, Cream Cornwall’s luxury hampers are the perfect choice for someone special who loves great coastal design. Designed and made in Britain, shop Cream’s gorgeous fragrances, iconic bone china, sweet treats and more at creamcornwall.co.uk. THE PERFECT, PRACTICAL GIFT Dogrobes’ drying coats really are the easy way to dry your dog. Exclusive, lightweight, super-absorbent fabric. Ties for the perfect fit. Nine sizes (Chihuahuas to Newfoundlands), from £21.95. Call 0800 1513188, email info@dogrobes.co.uk,…

1 PORTHPEAN, CORNWALL £2,000,000 Previous page: As well as a tiled façade, a zinc roof and lots of glazing on the seaward side, Seascape has four/five-bedrooms, a full-width infinity balcony and a garden leading to the South West Coast Path. Rohrs & Rowe (01872 306360, rohrsandrowe.co.uk). 2 WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA, NORFOLK £895,000 No 11 The Granary is a top-floor duplex apartment in a handsome Victorian building on the quayside. As well as wonderful harbour views, it has two bedrooms and comes with a garage/boat store. Bedfords (01328 730500, bedfords.co.uk). 3 DEAL, KENT £495,000 A few minutes’ walk from the station, town centre and market, No 76 West Street is a renovated late Georgian/early Victorian terraced house in the Conservation Area. It has two/three bedrooms and a rear garden with a studio/workshop. Bright…

We sailed past Lands End, set a course due west and headed towards the horizon. Somewhere out there, over a windswept sea speckled with the whitecaps of breaking waves, was the sanctuary of the Isles of Scilly. A rocky outcrop made up of more than 200 islands, the Isles of Scilly are a marine wonderland with Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status around 28 miles off the southwest coast of England and are home to a collection of stunning lagoons providing shelter from any wind direction. A lagoon is defined as ‘an area of calm sea water that is separated from the ocean by a line of rock or sand’. To be precise, you cannot truly escape the wind on Scilly, but you will always find a rocky shelf that…

WINNERS’ PRIZES Forthglade makes delicious natural pet food in the heart of Devon. Using high quality ingredients, the tasty range of meals and treats are free from any junk or fillers. First prize for coast Dog of the Year is £150 worth of Forthglade’s complete grain-free wet meals, second is £50 worth of Forthglade goodies, and third is a box of Forthglade grain-free hand-baked natural dog treats. For more information on the range, visit forthglade.com. Your beloved pet not here? Check out our online Dog of the Year 2021 gallery at coastmagazine.co.uk for lots more cute coastal canines.…

Brighton (pictured) is so important to me. I always refer to it as one of my best friends. It’s organic and human, artistic and bohemian, and I miss it when I’m away. I’ve lived here now for 18 years, four minutes from the beach, and I can see the sea from the end of my road. I find the ocean mesmerising, with a never-ending palette of colours. Most people associate Brighton with summer, but I love it in winter when it’s wild. The sea can be so angry, waves leaping high, or on cold, crisp days it’s as still as a millpond. It’s like a gift in winter. We walk our dog, Mr Groucho Barks, every day on the seafront and, in the summer, we might stop off at Marrocco’s…

A vital area of saltmarsh on the Blackwater Estuary under threat from rising sea levels is the focus of a significant conservation project by the National Trust. Work at Northey Island, Essex, began 30 years ago when progressive saltmarsh conservation techniques became the catalyst for 3,000 hectares of saltmarsh habitat creation in the UK. The current stage includes improving and extending the existing central clay bank to help provide an important water source for birds to drink and wash salt from their feathers (nationaltrust.org.uk/northey-island).…

Golden scallops with sprouts and nduja • 100g nduja• 400g Brussels sprouts• 1 garlic clove• 1 handful of mint, leaves only• 1-2 tbsp olive oil• Sea salt• Freshly ground pepper• 1 lemon• 6 scallops Method (Serves 2) 1. Chop the nduja sausage into small chunks. Trim the stalky bases off the Brussels sprouts and pick off any ragged outer leaves. Peel and thinly slice the garlic. Pick and thinly slice the mint leaves. 2. Pour 1 tbsp olive oil into a frying pan and warm it to a medium-high heat. Add the nduja and sprouts to the pan with a pinch of salt and pepper. Fry for 5-6 mins, stirring occasionally, until the sprouts are tender. Add the garlic and fry for 1 min. Grate in the lemon zest and…

This little house perched on the side of a hill in the village of Coverack on the south-east coast of Cornwall is the perfect space in which to pause and take stock. Not only does it look straight out to sea, but the elements inside are considered, simple and comfortable, making a restful home that’s ideal for contemplation and relaxation. The owner, Simon Francis, and his family rebuilt the house, called Ukiyo, with this ethos in mind. With help from Kathryn Tyler of Linea Studio, who designed and managed the project, and property renovation specialist Gekko Designs, the job was complete within two years. Simon and family bought the property in August 2018 and renovations were finished in July 2020. He describes his style as modern with a homely, laid-back…

CALM WATERS The greatest feature of lagoons is their calm waters; despite being so close to the open sea or ocean all it takes is a thin strip of rock or sand to absorb the energy of waves and keep the waters within lovely and calm. This makes them perfect for relaxing activities like swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding. ROUGH ENTRANCES The threshold between the lagoon and open sea can prove a challenging gauntlet. The main consideration is to avoid the ebb (falling) tide when water is flowing out to sea if there is an onshore wind or swell running. This is because the wind and/or swell will collide with the tidal currents to create steep breaking seas called ‘overfalls’. WIND The natural barriers that protect lagoons are often very low,…