Beaches at the break of day are special places.
Over the summers we spent in Denmark, we would often get up first thing, pack a breakfast picnic and head to the beach. It was great having it all to ourselves for a couple of hours before the hoards would start to arrive and the risk of sunburned baby skin grew higher. Of course getting up and out at that time of day was helped by the fact that the Small people were much smaller then, and not that fond of sleeping – but it was still blissful all the same…
To to be able to watch your children run for miles without losing them in a crowd, to be able to appreciate the sound of the waves against the shore, and that slight smugness that you are up and about enjoying life when others are still lazing in bed – nothing beats that empty beach feeling…
So I guess I really should really thank the Bournemouth hotel that didn’t get our booking quite right recently (they actually got it quite wrong! Having returned late after a family wedding, they initially couldn’t find our details despite us having “checked in” earlier (just a little too early to have a room designated)! After patiently waiting 20 minutes or so, the poor night porter found a key with our name on it leaving us to gratefully make our way to our room. As I unlocked the door, pushed it open, and switched on the lights, my first thoughts were that the bed was rather lumpy, then the two people occupying it sat bolt up right! After a long walk back to reception (made longer by frequent stifled laughter stops), my humour was then stretched somewhat to discover the hotel was full (it was Easter weekend after all) and the only room now available in the whole of Bournemouth it seemed was a tiny single room which meant Mr R slept on a camp bed!).
And waking up with the intention of seeking out the Manager is what lead to my being up at an ungodly hour, stomping off thereafter in the direction of the beach (mainly because I couldn’t get back in the room with Mr R on his camp bed blocking it anyway, it had taken me long enough to prize the door open without waking him!). Plus I had the grand idea of gate-crashing my Dad’s breakfast at their more organised nearby hotel, but it was too early to wake him! I won’t name the hotel in question (yet!), as they have profusely apologised and promised us a return trip to make it up to us at our convenience. I am not sure whether to be happy or slightly concerned by this prospect, but I will report back if and when we return…
And of course, thanks to this unfortunate series of events, I have them to thank for a couple of hours spent on a beautiful English beach completely devoid of people (apart from the odd yoga practitioner, a couple of dog walkers, a cyclist and this solitary dad out for a jog with his own early rising small person)… Not to mention the perfect flat light for photography, and the uninterrupted sound of waves crashing on the shore, which was more than calming and restorative.
Plus the breakfast at my Dad’s hotel turned out to be well worth gate crashing, fried bread and all…
Lisa from Lisa's Life says
Love your Bournemouth photos but your replacement room sounds a nightmare! Not sure I’d risk going back without a Plan B! :)
Emma says
I am not sure I will be going back either! Life’s too short for crap hotels! :D Thanks Lisa! :)
Brooke says
love the last photo of the sea shells, oh and the colorful beach cabanas are cute too.
Emma says
Thanks Brooke! :)
A Patchwork Life says
Gorgeous photos, bring back memories – my first proper job was in Bournemouth – not the best job ever, but walking along the beach most mornings was a joy. Kept me sane!
Emma says
There’s something incredibly restorative about it isn’t there? Thank you T! :) x
Sarah@TheViewFromtheTable says
I love your optimism! I’m not sure I would have been so gracious! How perfect to have the beach all to yourself though. Might set my alarm, I’m sold!
Emma says
It was a bit much, but I am all for keeping calm in these situations (even if they had also messed up my sister’s room earlier in the day!) :D Definitely recommend beach picnics, they are the best! :)
Trish says
I suppose things can go wrong and it’s how a company deals with it afterwards that makes the difference. But going back again wouldn’t necessarily be my ideal choice!
Nice huts! ;-)
Emma says
I have to be honest and say I think the same Trish. Haven’t written it off completely yet, but not really encouraged by our first experience!! :D Thank you! :) x
kelloggsville says
That was a lovely post to read, with perfect interspersed pictures. I really, really loved it. I’m sorry it wasn’t the best of experiences for you, it was great for me ;)
Emma says
You are too kind, thanks so much! It was definitely a pain at the time, but we are laughing about it now… My favourite part of the story which I thought might be difficult to add in, was at breakfast that morning (which I wasn’t a part of). My sister asked Mr R whether he recognised the couple in the restaurant, which he didn’t. Then my brother in law (ever the comedian) put his napkin up to his eyes and asked “how about now”… Stupid twit! :D xx
Cass@frugalfamily says
Such a shame about the hotel but you got some great photos on your trip – I’m loving the beach huts x x
Emma says
Thanks Cass. Gorgeous aren’t they? xx
Elizabeth says
That beach is lovely with the candy colored houses. I would have been so livid about the hotel though – glad to hear you stayed calm!
Emma says
Thanks Elizabeth! I wasn’t best pleased at the time! :D
diana says
I can’t imagine that happening, I hope your next trip there is a wonderful one!
Emma says
Neither could I! :D Thanks Diana! :)
Becky says
ooh you do make me giggle STUNNING photos and sorry about your room!!
Emma says
Thanks Becky! :D x
Michelle Twin Mum says
Ohh I adore Bournemouth, it s where I’d live given a choice. I love your idea of a beach breakfast picnic and we will eifnately be doing this. Such a shame about your disorganised hotel. Mich x
Emma says
Thanks Michelle! Bournemouth is great isn’t it? I highly recommend beach breakfasts, you miss all the traffic too! :) x
Liz Burton says
Silver linings eh?
Utterly gorgeous beach huts, I love the photo of the dad buggy jogging.
The hotel experience sounds hideous, I hope they make it up to you. Sounds very Fawlty Towers to me!
Emma says
Completely Fawlty Towers, but they promise me it was a one off, we shall see! :D Thanks ML! :) x
Jazzygal says
Oh, how disappointing about your disastrous hotel booking. Very funny about walking in on that couple though!
I love your photos, the shell one is quite lovely. And I just adore beaches… any time of day! x
Emma says
Thanks so much! You have some gorgeous beaches in your part of the world! :) x
Mammasaurus says
I love your photos Emma – those beach huts are awesome. Bournemouth is fab – such a shame that your hotel experience marred and otherwise great break.
#peepingtom
Emma says
Your comments always crack me up Annie. I just console myself with the fact that it could have been a lot lot worse!! :D
Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
Oh dear it sounds like that hotel got it very wring, I don’t what’s worse to be the ones woken by people in your room or the other way round!
I do love the different colours on the beach huts, they look wonderful stretching down the seafront.
Emma says
I made sure that the hotel apologised to the poor people who we barged in on too! :D Thank you! :)
Bianca @itsallbee says
I am sorry about your unfortunate experience but look on the bright side… you got a blog post out of huh :P
Hopefully your next visit will be better. Great pictures by the way.
Emma says
Thanks Bianca! I was planning on writing about an English Seaside anyway, but this just made it all a bit more eventful!! :D
Otilia says
Oh it sounds so beautiful! I would love to visit!
Emma says
Thanks Otilia! :)
Grace says
Sounds like the hotel did you and us a favour – we would not have had all these lovely photographs if you had a comfortable lie in! x
Emma says
Thanks Mum! Most likely! :D x
Anya from Older Single Mum and The Healer says
I’m sorry you were so put out – but, like you say, what a gift too! I grew up in Bournemouth. The beaches are fabulous and extra special early and as the sun goes down. There’s a film with Nicolas Cage in – where he plays an Angel on earth and it shows how all the Angels gather at the water’s edge every sun rise and sunet, which I always think of now!
Emma says
It’s so funny how you can take something like an English seaside for granted until you leave! Thanks Anya! Lovely comment! :)