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Voices on the Page
| Title: | The Beach |
| Author: | Darran Gurr |
| Theme: | nature |
| Story: | On one long hot lazy day last summer I was walking along a remote coastal path whilst on holiday in Cornwall, when I discovered the most amazing deserted beach. Looking down from the path that was high on the cliffs, the beach seemed to sparkle in the afternoon sun. I noticed that there was a small path that wound its way down the steep face of the cliff and decided that I had to go and explore the beach. I started by going down to the shoreline to see what magical things I could find that had been washed up. I found a piece of driftwood and lots of seaweed, but amongst this there were a few treasures. I discovered a few large seedpods that must have made the adventurous journey from some mystic land across the ocean and found themselves washed up on a Cornish beach. Unfortunately I did not find a message in a bottle, which would have been exciting, although I did see a few plastic bottles dancing in the surf. I continued along the shoreline until I came to the end of the beach so I decided to walk back along the cliff face. Walking along the cliff face was very enjoyable. I managed to find a few shallow caverns and one very deep cave. I went as far into the cave that I dared, for it soon became too dark to see. I stood there in the dim light, as silent as an owl in flight, to see if I could hear anything, but apart from the soothing sound of the waves gently lapping the shoreline I could hear nothing else. I left the cave and continued along the cliff face. Further along the cliff, high above my head, there seemed to be a flurry of excitement. Seagulls were encouraging their young to make the first tentative attempts at flight. It was a pleasure to be there as the small birds took the suicidal leap off the clip, opened their wings and glided on the currents of air around the cliff, wonderful. It was only then, as I was looking up, that I saw all the wonderful plants and flowers that had made their home on the steep face of the cliff. I gazed at the colourful display for what seemed an age. I soon realised that I had been down on the beach for around three hours and my family would soon be wondering where I was. I made my way back to the steep path and looked up. I didn’t realise how steep the incline would be on the way back up. It was much easier on the way down that on the way back up, but after a great deal of effort I was standing back on the coastal path. I gazed once more at the beach, and it was still sparkling in the evening light, then I turned away from the beautiful view and made my way back to my accommodation. It was a wonderful day down on the beach and I vowed to take my family there the next day, so they could experience all the pleasure the beach had to offer. |
