Jun
Of Sand and Sandwiches
As I enter the ballroom today, I make my habitual curtsy in Lady B’s direction. She immediately crosses the room, lifts her quizzing glass and peers at me.
Tessa: My goodness, Lady B. What is it? Have I grown a third eye?
Lady B: No, Miss Dare. You’ve freckled.
Tessa: I have? I mean, yes. I suppose I know I have.
Lady B: Have you been spending time in the sun without a bonnet?
Tessa: I must confess it’s true. Mr. Dare and I just returned from a holiday in Hawaii. And while there, I rarely wore a bonnet.
The view from our balcony. Would YOU wear a bonnet in such paradise?
Lady B: Hawaii? What is this place? And please, dear girl–do not tell me to Groogle it. I leave the InnerNetting to the authoresses.
Tessa: We Americans call it Hawaii now. But you know it as the Sandwich Islands, Lady B.
Lady B: Ah, yes. The Sandwich Islands. I’ve heard tell of them from the Earl of Sandwich himself.
Albert: Squawk! Archipelago!
Tessa: It’s a string of tropical islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Lush rainforests, dramatic volcanoes, beautiful beaches…
Albert: Squawk! Ahem.
Tessa: Quite right, Albert. Lots of parrots, too!
Lady B: Well, it sounds lovely.
Tessa, Courtney Milan, Carey Baldwin (the lovely bride!), and Leigh LaValle on Kapalua Beach, Maui
Tessa: Oh, it is. And the best part of our trip was that we went there for a wedding. My dear friend and fellow authoress Carey Baldwin got married to her dashing beau–on the beach, at sunset. It was lovely.
Lady B: What a radiant bride!
I blogged about this a few weeks ago, and it wasn't quite out yet - but it's on sale now! Huzzah!
Tessa: Wasn’t she? And it was so wonderful to have the four of us together – we’re the same group of friends who put together a new digital anthology for charity, Three Weddings and a Murder. I wrote a new novella for it, called “The Scandalous, Dissolute, No-Good Mr. Wright.” I tried to bring Harry and Eliza to a ball a few weeks ago, but they got rather…sidetracked in the parlor. Kissing.
Lady B, disapprovingly: Yes. I recall.
Tessa: Well, let’s just look at the wedding photos some more.
Lady B: A wedding, on the beach? In the Sandwich Islands? What sort of special license a couple needs to procure for that ceremony, I dare not guess.
Tessa: I don’t know about the paperwork required, but we didn’t even need shoes!
Lady B: Ah, sand betwixt the toes and a fresh, bracing salt breeze. You’re making me long for a holiday by the sea.
Tessa: Well, it is the time of year for it. In Spindle Cove, all the usual young ladies will be gathering for the summer holiday. Frequent Ballroom guest Amy joined us on Saturday after driving home from Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. I know several of the other authoresses have summer vacations planned, which may or may not include seashores.
What’s your favorite beach you’ve visited, or one you particularly long to visit? Feel free to post pictures for Lady B’s edification and our general entertainment. Some questions: Do you prefer rocky or sandy beaches? Atlantic or Pacific (or Mediterranean or…?) Cloudy or sunny days?
I always thought I preferred foggy, windbreaker days on rocky beaches, like the beautiful shores of the central and northern California coasts. But Maui turned me into a sand and sun worshipper!
Jun 18, 2012
7:41 am
Sounds like a marvelous trip, Tessa. What a fabulous place to hold a wedding! Congratulations to Carey (whom I follow on Twitter).
I’ve never enjoyed lying on the beach in the sun. I get hot and sandy and burn easily. I love walking on beaches, looking at the ocean, and exploring rocks, surface doesn’t matter, as long as it’s not hard going. I also enjoy swimming in the sea. I’ve uploaded a photo I look last year on the Greek island of Andros. The beach was right by our rented house, and the water was perfect for swimming. However, I decided to share a sunset picture so you can’t actually see the beach.
A word re. sharing photos at The Ballroom. As far as I can tell, commenters can’t upload photos directly from their computers. I made a new page on my website for miscellaneous photos, but not everyone has that easy option. If you find a photo on the web you’d like to share, just copy the URL from your browser and paste it into the box that comes up when you click on the link at the end of the comment box.
Jun 18, 2012
10:56 am
Beautiful, Miranda!
I am with you – I would far rather be walking along a beach than just lying on one. Those freckles Lady B noticed are still despite slathering on the 50 SPF. I burn SO easily.
Jun 18, 2012
7:52 am
I love the Atlantic Ocean beaches. Yes, it is home, being from the East Coast of the US, but I have been to the Pacific Ocean a couple of times and it IS a bit different. As for beaches – I would LOVE to go to the Caribbean (which is on my bucket list for before I die), but I haven’t been there. Mom says she LOVED it, especially St. Thomas. Give me the Jersey Shore, especially South Jersey. I love being able to sit on my balcony with a cup of coffee and watching the waves. I also like walking on the beach and watching the birds and children play – watching Hot Life Guards isn’t bad either. There is something so peaceful about it. I am lucky to be only 1 1/2 hrs from the shore.
Here is two pictures from my latest trip to Ocean City, NJ.
I call this shot, the reason we went in the first place -
The beach – I like artsy type shots –
Jun 18, 2012
10:59 am
Beautiful pictures, Jamie! That first one…oh, wow. Wish that was my writing studio.
The second is lovely, with the pickets and grasses and crashing waves. I also feel very lucky to live within easy driving distance of the ocean (the other ocean!). There’s something so good for the soul about standing on the beach and looking into the vastness.
Jun 18, 2012
9:33 am
That sounds like a ton of fun, Tessa. Our favorite beach is in San Destin, Florida. We just went in April. We’ve been going there for 20 years. The sand is snow white, and the water is clear and aqua. It is gorgeous! ( We drove from Chicago after RT which was a long way!) I don’t know how to post photos, but it is the prettiest beach I’ve ever seen.
Jun 18, 2012
11:01 am
I’ve been to Destin Beach! Those Gulf beaches are beautiful. The sand is like powdered sugar, so white and soft. I hope you had a great time there.
Jun 18, 2012
9:40 am
Sandy beaches! Since I have been on more beaches than you can imagine. A favorite of mine is called “Steel beach”. Picture this middle of Pacific ocean, no land in sight, calm water, top of an air craft carrier. No work today, just play. No hoots as I am on my phone.
Jun 18, 2012
11:03 am
Hah! I was just commenting to Jamie above that it would be nice to have a seaside office – I forgot that for you, the ocean WAS the office!
It makes me wonder… Did you ever get nostalgic for vistas of nothing but land?
“Steel beach” sounds like a fun day!
Jun 18, 2012
11:17 am
So cool, Lady Susan! A ‘steel beach’ – I LIKE that idea!! : )
Jun 18, 2012
2:25 pm
Yes,the best sight of land was when the Nimitz was traveling down the Puget Sound! Land on both sides was awesome, maybe because we were almost home after seven months.
Jun 18, 2012
10:04 am
I had the opportunity to live in Monterey, CA for a couple of years and they are best beaches I’ve been to so far. This of course is keeping in mind that I’ve never been to any tropical beaches. I thought the rocks and fog added a lot of personality to the crashing waters. I would post pictures but I’m at work!
Jun 18, 2012
11:06 am
Oh, I *love* Monterey and the coastline there. I agree — foggy days on the beach are great. For one thing, I worry less about burning, and for another – you’re right, there’s something mysterious and cozy and friendly about the fog in Northern California. I lived in the SF Bay area for a few years, and I never minded the fog. But then when the sun does come out – everything is so sparkling and blue! Just lovely.
Jun 18, 2012
11:14 am
Just noticed your pretty new avatar! Yay, it worked!
Jun 18, 2012
10:08 am
That is a lovely picture of you, Courtney, Leigh and Carey Tessa!
Y’all look fabulous and Carey is a beautiful bride!!!!
I definitely prefer sandy beaches to rocky. I’ve spent some time at the Jersey shore, but my favorite beach is the Barcelona beach-I loved the sand, surf, and warm water. I was lucky enough to visit Barcelona when I was in high school and absolutely fell in love with it and Spain. My only complaint was that it was the middle of July and muy caliente!!! I remember chugging a gallon bottle of water like nobody’s business! lol
Jun 18, 2012
11:12 am
Thanks for the compliments, Lisa! We had such a great time.
Barcelona beach looks GORGEOUS. And very posh. But yes – July must have been blistering heat! Good excuse to go cool off in the ocean, I guess.
Jun 18, 2012
10:23 am
Positively lovely, Tessa! I’m so glad you had a wonderful vacation. Congratulations to Carey on her nuptials, and congratulations on your beautiful anthology!
I never met a beach I didn’t love. I am most happy on a beach, more than any other place in the world. It’s why I write ship books! In fact, I’m currently scrolling through the dreamy Atlantic beaches of Aquitaine in southern France deciding where the hero and heroine of my next novel will come aground after a brief sea journey. Each day my research brings me another sandy gem. Today my favorite is Biarritz. Really, who can resist horseback riding in paradise?
Jun 18, 2012
11:11 am
Oh, wow – that shot is just amazing! And so breathlessly romantic.
I may need to write another ship book. Or if I can’t, I’ll at least live vicariously through yours.
Jun 18, 2012
11:14 am
WOW!! Love the colors! Hope you’re having a great time en France. : )
Jun 18, 2012
11:12 am
A wedding on a beach at sunset – how absolutely romantic! Tessa, you lucky girl to get invited to that wedding and congrats to Carey and her new dh!!
I swear I’m a beach lover from another life, I was even born on an island in NY harbor. I’m like Katharine, I haven’t met a beach I haven’t liked but I do so love the ones with sparkling white sand that is silky soft between your toes even though it can later feel like walking on coals after a few hours in the hot sun. I love the beach in winter, summer, autumn and spring. I love it with sun shining, rain falling and even in the snow (only place I love in the snow). As you mentioned, I just returned from a week in N. Myrtle Beach, SC. Our little hotel was nearly across the street from the Cherry Grove Pier and the window where I set up my backstabbing laptop looked straight out to the open ocean and the end of the pier – should have been the most inspiring view ever if my traitorous laptop hadn’t given me fits and kept me from writing as I’d hoped. I can only spend 2 hrs on the beach a day so I hoped to get in some writing. Red hair and fair skin can be a curse to someone who loves the beach. No tan here, just bright pink and loads of freckles! If I could just get them to all come together, I’d be a gorgeous nut brown. I’d like to visit every kind of beach from rocky to white sand to the lava sands. It’s the water that is the true attraction for me – I love the sound, the sweetness of the air and the sense of standing on the edge of a vast land mass. Thrilling! Only thing better – being on the water! : )
Jun 18, 2012
11:23 am
I found a picture of the beach at where I was with the sun rising early morning – Myrtle Beach actually faces south so the sun rises on one side of the beach and sets on the other rather rising on the ocean and setting over land like at other Atlantic Beaches. I hope this works – it’s gorgeous and I actually took one that was very similar but is still in my camera. : )
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http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&biw=1280&bih=605&tbm=isch&tbnid=-CgivjFngXxrjM:&imgrefurl=http://www.oceanfront-hotels.net/beaches/cherry-grove-beach.php&docid=9YMFixsgIn7IVM&imgurl=http://www.oceanfront-hotels.net/images/cherry-grove.jpg&w=500&h=375&ei=AkffT9eCFOH56QGm_tCoCw&zoom=1/img
Jun 18, 2012
11:24 am
Miranda, I did what you said to do … I give up, it just doesn’t want to work for me. If you click on the link it will show it to you. Sorry. : (
Jun 18, 2012
11:29 am
It’s beautiful, Amy! I am trying to post it for you – we’ll see if it works. When you try, do you use the link just below the comment box that says “You can add images by clicking here”?
Jun 18, 2012
12:30 pm
Yay!! You got it, Tessa, thank you. Yes, I put the URL in the box and click okay but it just comes up as a link. Maybe my settings are preventing it. [shrug]
My picture is much more pinks but very much like this one. We had only one bad day and the rest were gorgeous with pink sunsets on fluffy clouds and the sunrises were like this. : )
Jun 18, 2012
9:14 pm
That’s a gorgeous photo.
Jun 18, 2012
11:24 am
Your vacation sounds great, Amy! I am like you – I have a time limit when out in the direct sun, or I’ll burn to a crisp! Too bad your laptop didn’t cooperate, because its sounds like a lovely place to write.
There is something very thrilling and freeing about standing by the ocean, isn’t there?
Jun 18, 2012
11:17 am
Congrats to Carey, she was a beautiful Bride.. So happy you all had a good time..
I think the most beautiful beaches I have ever been on is in Ireland of f the coast of Donegal, near Kincalagh.Which is my father’s hometown, Either Mullaghderg Beah or Carrickfinn Beach.. Both are beautiful white sand beaches.. Ah now I want to go back there this summer…
Jun 18, 2012
11:26 am
Hi, Kathleen! The wedding was so beautiful and so romantic. I think we all had a tear in our eye.
I am so jealous of your Irish beaches! Ireland is one place Mr. Dare and I and just dying to visit. I confess, we hadn’t thought to go for the beaches! But it makes sense that an island country would have lovely ones.
Jun 18, 2012
11:26 am
One doesn’t usually think of Ireland and beaches but my father has been and he said there are beautiful beaches in Ireland … mountains, lakes, rivers and streams, too. I want sooooo much to go to Ireland some day. : )
Jun 18, 2012
12:09 pm
Wonderful pictures. Back in the mid-70′s I was stationed on Guam and visited Hawaii both going over and returning. My favorite beaches in the in south of France. So cultured. Even the Duchess would approve. Now I live on St. Thomas, about one mile from Magens Bay beach. I’d post picture, but don’t know how.
Jun 18, 2012
12:12 pm
You live on St. Thomas!! Oh, how lovely.
If you can find (or post) a picture on the internet, you can post it by clicking the link below Submit Comment (“You can add images to your comment by clicking here”) Enter the link for the photo in that box (the image itself, not the page it’s on), and it should theoretically show up!
Jun 18, 2012
12:09 pm
I’ll be offline for the middle of the day (writing!) – but please keep the beautiful beaches coming, and I’ll catch up later this afternoon.
Jun 18, 2012
12:15 pm
Lol! I’m with you, although not with the writing I sell jewelry. I’m cheating with my smart phone.
Jun 18, 2012
12:59 pm
I love the beach! As a kid I grew up visiting various different beaches along the English south coast; Bournemouth, Weymouth, Lyme Regis and Sandown on the Isle of Wight were particular family favourites.
Weymouth….
British beaches do have their charm but now I long to visit slightly more glamorous beach locations; Goa, Thailand and Barbados.
Jun 18, 2012
8:41 pm
Oooh, what a beautiful shot – and yes, a VERY British beach.
I never got that far west, but I loved exploring the parts of the southern coast that I was able to visit, from Brighton to Rye.
Jun 18, 2012
9:16 pm
Congrats to Carey!
My favorite beach that I’ve been too is probably in Tahiti, though I can’t remember which island we were on. I loved being able to walk out so far into the water.
Of course, living in LA, I’m pretty close to the beach all the time, but I very rarely go.
I also love Big Sur coastline. So gorgeous.
Jun 19, 2012
1:07 am
oh, so many beautiful beach pictures! and it looked like such a beautiful wedding!
Personally, I’m very lucky to live so near the beach in Southern California. I ride my bike along Venice and Santa Monica Beaches a few weekends a month. Yup, I’m spoiled.