
Last Sunday it felt like Spring had finally arrived. The previous day had been a fog of illness that gripped three of us leaving us dozing and exhausted. On the Friday Oldest had been sent home from school ill and she clearly was very under the weather as she was shivering, despite having a fever and all she wanted to do was sleep. By the next day Mr C and I were feeling very similar and I mostly spent the day in bed sleeping, trying to shift the banging headache and feeling of nausea. The only one to escape the virus was Youngest who was most put out that she wasn’t ill and kept insisting, rather bizarrely, that she had a warty foot and spiders in her mouth.
But on Sunday morning the sun rose high in the sky and there wasn’t a rain cloud on the horizon and best of all we all felt well again. There was housework that needed doing, a washing machine that needed loading and homework that needed completing but we ignored it all and headed straight outdoors.
When the sun is shining there is really nowhere better than Jersey with its sweeping bays and clear, blue sea. We have had a lot of rain and rather miserable weather recently, as has most of the UK, and as such I have found myself pining for where we used to live in Yorkshire. We lived high up on top of the moors and when the wind blew it felt like the house was straining to stay rooted and sometimes it would feel like just one more gust and the house would be blown away. It is strange that it is during the winter months that I find myself missing Yorkshire and craving its beautifully wild landscape. You would think that if anything I would be grateful for living on Jersey with its milder climate. No longer does Mr C have to trudge out in the morning in below freezing temperatures to defrost the car for me; no longer do we wake up in the morning and bury ourselves deep into the duvet as it is so cold in the room and no longer do we have to worry about what we will do if it snows as it very rarely snows in Jersey. If it does snow then the whole island simply comes to a stand still which takes the pressure off trying to get into work.
I have come to the conclusion that the reason I miss Yorkshire in the winter is that in Jersey you don’t get a ‘proper’ winter. You don’t get that real coldness where your fingers go numb and your nose turns blue. I know it’s bizarre the things you miss and I realise that anybody reading this in Yorkshire will think I am crazy. But I miss feeling like you need to get cosy, like you want to wrap up warm and snuggle indoors. Perhaps I am feeling like this because we have just had the wettest January on record in Jersey and I am pretty sure what feels like never ending rain in February. I am so ready for spring because Jersey does do a good spring. The whole island seems to emerge from its hibernation. Fields of beautiful local Jersey flowers start to spring up, including whole fields of daffodils.
Fields are busy with tractors and the Jersey royals are uncovered from their plastic sheets. Some of the more popular beaches are busy again with tourists and locals alike, but you can also find your hidden gems. Little sheltered bays with glorious beaches that are nearly deserted.
In Spring the sun is shining again and it means that you can make the most of those mild temperatures by pottering on the beach, exploring rock pools or simply sitting back on the sand with a coffee. So last Sunday we took ourselves to one of our favourite beaches and we enjoyed the sun’s rays whilst watching the girls scavage for shells. Whilst admiring the stunning scenery I had to admit how lucky I am to be living in such a wonderful part of the world and whilst a part of my heart will always belong to Yorkshire an ever bigger part now belongs to Jersey. So Spring please hang around for a while as we quite like you on Jersey.
You are making me miss Jersey. Spent a lot of time there when I was younger. It really is a pretty island when the flowers are out. Hope you have a drier Spring. #CountryKids
You will have to come out and visit it again! It really is lovely when the sun is shining 🙂
What beautiful veiws from your beach, Jersey really does look like such a beautiful place to be able to sit back and relax. I can understand your thoughts on wanting the winters of Yorkshire, Cornwall is always so wet in winter with a lack of snow it’d be lovely to experience a “proper winter”. The girls look like they’re enjoying the fact that the sun was shining and they could enjoy the fresh sea air. Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
They love it when the weather allows them to be able to enjoy the beach. I hope Coombe Mill has survived the latest storm x
What beautiful picturs of the coast, I could sit and stare at a view like that all day. I live in Wales and I love the Winter time. Nothing better than going for a walk when your wrapped up warm and even better when you get home and can get cosy on the sofa.
Oh yes the getting home and putting the kettle on is lovely too 🙂
Ummm wow! The view in there is stunning! I do want snow as my son hadnt really experience one and I think that it is nice to play and create something from it. But alas no snow for us in SW as well. #countrykids
Thanks! We are very lucky where we live as there are a lot of stunning views round every corner 🙂
Lovely pictures! I used to live in Guernsey when I was younger and miss all the quirky bylaws! Used to get the ferry to Jersey. Lovely part of the world and hope to take my children one day #pointshoot
Oh yes those quirky bylaws. I think that I love and loathe them in equal measure 🙂 It is a lovely part of the world though!
Gosh, your photos look wonderful! Stunning beaches, and it must have made it all the more special to get outside after being stuck inside. I’m not a winter lover myself, although there is something special about the excitement of snow, isn’t there? I think I would miss that! #whatevertheweather
It is really nice to finally have a bit of sunshine! Jersey is still on my list of places I want to go but haven’t got to yet, really need to!
I really love the sunshine, everyone just seems to so much happier when the sun is out! 🙂
This is such a lovely post, I really enjoyed reading it. There’s nothing better than getting outside again after everyone has been ill, and you certainly have a beautiful outdoors to get back to. I love what you said about missing ‘proper’ winter. I am not a fan of the snow, but I have come to love the proper winters we get here in Boston. Somehow it makes spring and summer all the more welcome and special. And, I’ve even got used to the snow (almost!). #countrykids
Thank you lovely. Oh I am so jealous of your proper winters in Boston! 🙂
Beautiful photos, I am so glad the sun has started to shine and the kids can think about leaving their coats at home!
Yes, bring on Spring and more sunshine 🙂
What an absolutely stunning beach, I now realise I definitely need to plan a trip to Jersey. It looks gorgeous! #Whatevertheweather x
It is such a lovely beach, and the cafe that has just opened up there is AMAZING! x
I have never been to Jersey but it looks like a beautiful place. I was brought up by the sea and I think I really took it for granted, I really miss it now that I live in London.
#pointshoot
I am so jealous, what a wonderful place to live! So stunning! I am sorry you were ill, being ill with kids sucks. Sounds like a fab easter minus the bugs. Thanks for linking up to #PointShoot
We are all better now! I think the chocolate helped. Chocolate is always the answer 🙂 x
Such a stunning place to live. I can see why you’re looking forward to Spring. I bet the colour of the ocean next to those cliffs and the green fields, looks so beautiful. We haven’t had much of a winter in Cornwall this year either and I have missed it. I’ve missed wanting to get snuggly and having to wear gloves. It’s been very mild and mostly rainy. We’re the same here, everyone seems to come out of hibernation in Spring. There is such a lovely atmosphere. Thank you so much for sharing with #whatevertheweather xx
Yes, it is so lovely when the island wakes up after Spring! 🙂 x
Wow Jersey in spring looks amazing. It would be awesome to have you link up at #TreasuredMoments Easter special http://mscalling.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks for the invite, I will pop along next time 🙂 x
I’m sorry you’ve all been I’ll, but got to laugh at your littlest saying she has spiders in her mouth!! I think I would miss the proper cold Scottish weather if we moved too. Looks absolutely gorgeous in the sun too, hope you found lots of shells and enjoy the pretty spring season. Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
Haha, yes Youngest has a way with words and was very cute trying to convince us that she was ill too 🙂 x