Every now and then someone says to me, "You're really lucky to live near the beach". It's like a prod, a sudden reminder that I do
Esplanande & Beach Rd, Sandringham
indeed - and that I see it about once a month - in a good month! Why? Because it's easy to take whatever's in your own backyard for granted. So, here are some simple ideas to inspire those (including me) lucky enough to live by the bay to make the most of it. Free fun here we come.
- Get your
daily exercise. Walk, ride, rollerblade or whatever along a section of the
Bayside Trail. Setting up a routine with a Bay Buddy will stop you baling out.
Love reading? Well, why not pick your favourite spot and do it with the sea gently lapping the shore as the backdrop? Summer, spring and autumn offer plenty of weather-appropriate days, while reading in the car with an expansive sea-blue view in winter is neat. If you're looking for some new reading material, this
Best 100 Novels list should give you some food for thought.
- Or simply forget the book and drive down with someone you love and simply sit and watch the water and
Bayside's wildlife. You might even have the most meaningful conversation you've had in a while. It sure beats watching TV.
Take Rover for a run. Check out the
leash-free areas first. If you're not in a leash-free area, be ready to run as fast as your four-legged furry friend.
Bring the frisbee. I played frisbee last year for the first time in,
mmm, let's say, er, 20 years. Still, I did, and I still remember it for how much fun we had and how that silly frisbee looks like it's moving one way - and then moves in a completely different direction. The breeze at the bay will certainly have you keeping fit while chasing a plastic ring with a mind of its own around. If you get quite good at it, you might like to try a few
frisbee games.
Watch the sunset. Did you know there are three types of sunsets? Or
three types of twilight to be precise: civil, nautical and astronomical. I learned something new today. That's phenomenal!
Pack a picnic and enjoy by the sea shore, but please, please, please,
don't feed the wildlife. While a picnic's technically not free, you still have to eat, right, whether at home or by the sea. It's amazing how much some simple fresh air and serene sights soothe the mind.
Making the most of the bay is really up to your own imagination. If you'd like a few more ideas, check out these
frugal beach activities. Making sand angles sounds like super fun.
