50 Comments

Pure beauty, all of it.

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This life you have, Prue is just other worldly - those dolphins! Touching their (I imagine) squeaky, vinyl-like heads and seeing their faces would be such a thrill and I loved hearing the slap of the water as well. You cite Arthur Ransome (I adore those old school kind of wishywashy illustrations!) and I was thinking Enid Blyton as well and deffo a 'Wind in the Willows' kind of lunch, but much BETTER - because there were no "potted tongue sandwiches" haha. Yours is, clearly, vastly superior! This was such a welcome post. You almost make me want to become a swimmer too (almost!) because I have never liked being IN the water, only beside it. Thanks for this cheering post, nonetheless and hugs as always to The Terrier xo

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Feb 23Liked by prue batten

Oh Prue you’ve done it again. Thank you.

My favourite part of this post is hearing the joy, awe and pleasure by those watching the dolphins.

I’ve always followed the don’t put it off theory, but it’s only been in later years I’ve realised I need to apply it to pleasure activities too.

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Feb 24Liked by prue batten

Watching that video made me smile. :).

And it's stunning where you and yours live.

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Thank you for sharing the lovely pictures - what a beautiful place you call home.

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Thank you, Prue, for sharing this magical place through words and pictures. Oh how it makes me long for summer...and space...and clarity. 💙🙏❄️

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Ohh, I agree with Mary B-Pure beauty, all of it!

I'm listening to your linked music as I type this and can feel my blood pressure dropping, my shoulders relaxing. I can almost feel the azure waters across my legs as I imagine lazily floating and paddling near your splendid beaches, as you describe them so well. I've had that thrill of being so close to dolphins several times and it never ceases to thrill unlike any other thrill. Maybe like that of seeing whales; they too take my breath away. Thanks for giving us another glimpse into your world. And do take care in the sun- I don't want to lose you and your perspectives too soon. ❤️

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Feb 24Liked by prue batten

Its sounds like a piece of Heaven Prue, just idyllic xxx

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Feb 24Liked by prue batten

What a life. We are so blessed. Happy, happy sigh. And yes, the older I get, the surer I am that we must Live every moment we can. For this too shall pass. Enjoy it while you can dear Prue. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. 🤗🤗😘😘☀️ 🌊

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Lovely place and delightful photos. Longing for warmer weather. But still appreciative of it all even minus 14 Celsius today.

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Another absolutely beautiful read, Prue - this post has taken me straight to your beautiful ocean. What a treat to see the dolphins! I'll never forget the time I saw dolphins in the wild - it was absolutely wonderful. Your picnic on deck looks right up my street - and hurrah for your enthusiasm (which I share!) for that wondrous creature, the pickled walnut! 🙌

I grew up hearing Swallows and Amazons - we'd be read a chapter every night in bed, and over the years we enjoyed the entire Ransome canon of books. My parents had both grown up sailing, and my grandparents lived in the Lake District, making Arthur Ransome's stories so relatable. Loved every word.

It's great to hear that the Terrier is back up to speed with his watery wading! I'm so sorry about your concerns with your skin, and am sending a 'virtual' Elastoplast of love Down Under. 😘

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This post touched something so deep within me that there were tears. Initially, I couldn't identify what the something was, but I knew the tears were not of sadness. I've been mulling it over for a few hours now and think it was, in fact, the very opposite. The sheer joy of it all, and the relative simplicity. Good food. Meaningful conversation. Openness. Blue water. The precision of the albatross's markings. The dolphins clearly felt it too, and they WERE communicating, though they speak another language. Just so magnificent and moving!

p.s. I wonder about long sleeve swimmers (like the little people wear). Maybe it's just too hot for those! Glad you're paying attention.

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Your prose is poetic. Gorgeous descriptions and the photos! And the video of the dolphins!! They are magical creatures.

“Maybe there is no tomorrow and what will I have missed?” ❤️❤️🙏🙏

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Oh, Prue! Thank you so much for this awe-inspiring feast for the senses. The video of the dolphins filled me with such joy and wonder…and more gratitude to you for sharing. I know I will watch the dolphins and listen to the music of the water, over and over, . Just like I will re-read this gorgeous essay!

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Feb 25Liked by prue batten

These posts about your homeland make me wistful...I wish I could gather up my entire family and come live on your wonderful island! I think you'd easily have a career writing travel brochures if you chose to. But, who needs more tourists, right?

I've dealt with skin cancer several times and have an appointment in April to have another spot checked. 🤞🏼 If I'd only known back then what I know today (and that goes for a lot of things besides sun exposure!)

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Oh, Prue, you’ve made me long for the sea. I love your foodie descriptions too!

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