Oh I do like to be besides the seaside

I am glad the summer is here (even though it's been a little flighty - promising sunshine then flirting with rain). It means I have no excuse not to go out and enjoy the great British seaside.

Of course, growing up on the coast did mean I took it for granted. After all, if the beach is always there, why make a fuss about visiting it? In fact, the only time I went down to the sea was if I was with friends who didn't live near the sea. Now, having lived away from it for so many years, I see it with a fresh and more mature eye. It isn't all about ice-cream and freshly fried doughnuts (my mouth is watering just thinking about them) but about enjoying the ambiance, watching the people and then eating the ice-cream or doughnut.

Today my cousin V and I walked her dog Milo from Dumpton Gap to Broadstairs harbour, a distance of "I-don't-know-how-far" and then I helped my dad walk my brother's dogs. I was out at about midday and didn't get home until at least 6pm - my legs ache!

However, in compensation, I have been catching up on the tv I missed whilst abroad thanks to my family's DVD collection and the wonders of "watch-again-on-the-internet". The most recent total immersion experience was The Big Bang Theory. Mostly gentle humour with some extremely funny moments. A set of stereotypes turned into real people through great acting and excellent writing. I'd recommend it - especially if you have a soft spot for nerds.