Boxing Day

All ten of us (parents, siblings, spouses, nieces) headed off on a Boxing Day walk along part of the Seven Sisters. When I came downstairs to leave, Margaret told me that people were loading into cars and I was catching a ride with Henry. When I walked outside I was more than a little excited about the opportunity to enjoy the sweet ride.

The incredible chalk cliffs.

It was bitterly cold so we were all bundled up, but the sun was shining and the sky was clear and blue - a beautiful day.

Back L-R: Esther, Henry, Jess, Ian
Front L-R: Me, Margaret, James, Becky, Richard, Rosie

After walking for a while on the path running along the top of the cliffs we arrived at Birling Gap, a little cluster of cottages and shops perched on the edge of a chalk cliff, and stopped at a shop for tea and a chance to warm up.

Jess sipping her hot chocolate slowly... enjoying every last drop.

Rosie bundled up against the cold with the comfort of her new "baby" snuggled in.

Ian, Jess and Rosie's dad, told me that Jess announced today that she plans to visit me in Canada when she's grown up, bring along her four children, and change her name to Katie. Jess got a winter scarf for Christmas so I decided to show her how to fling it over her shoulder like a diva. She's quite good at it and her dad told me later that she had since swiped his eyes with the end a couple of times but he wouldn't hold it against me. I was hoping to have kids around over Christmas so it's a fabulous treat to have two such adorable girls to play with.

Having grown up near the beach, I love everything about walking near the ocean. I've discovered that even being so far from my family, as soon as I get on a beach, I feel at home. Our walking was all along the cliff-tops but there was a staircase to reach the beach at Birling Gap so some of us ran down to take a quick walk before the family returned to the house. Henry and I continued on for a bit so I could get some shots of the cliffs from below.

I was fascinated by the distinct layers of chalk and flintstone.

After walking back to the car, Henry drove me along the winding roads to a beautiful spot overlooking a lighthouse and cliffs for a few more photos before heading home to warm up.


More Photos: Link Here