First foray at some wild beach vanping!!

This morning's waking thought was that tomorrow morning I wanted to wake up to the sun rising over the sea. I don't live particularly close to the sea but anything is possible right?The Lincolnshire coast is the closest to #Nottingham, so the deal was done. A quick search on Search for Sites established that there is not a huge supply of beachfront free camping areas in Lincolnshire. There were two viable options however; one being Theddlethorpe Saltfleet Dunes, which I had visited before during the day. This one is a tiny car park adjacent to a row of bungalows behind some Dunes near Theddlethorpe Saint Helen. I really wanted to be a bit closer to the sea than this and have that beautiful view as the sun rises on the horizon. Another option was about 10 minutes north of that at a place called #Saltfleet. Reviews were good but again not smack bang on the beach but at least a view of the sea. I spent the day, having parked at the #Theddlethorpe Dunes daytime parking area with my partner and his son and had a superb walk along the white sandy beach down into #Mablethorpe and back. I love the east coast beaches, wide expanses of sand and not a soul around. We parted ways at about 7 pm and I went in search of my overnight camping spot. Being the first time I've ever wild camped solo in Duggie I must admit I was a bit anxious about the location initally. The last thing I wanted to do was to be innocent prey in a well known dogging spot. Although, that's not gonna happen. I forgot my animal mask!

Thankfully as I approach Saltfleet, a wave of reassurance washed over me. Approaching the village, a clearly labelled Saltfleet Haven indicates a right turn onto a rough track road littered with potholes. No doggers or boy races would put themselves through this bone shaking ride. In the distance I could see another campervan and again whilst part of me was a little bit disappointed that I wouldn't be totally alone, admittedly felt a sense of reassurance. Total #isolation is perhaps something for another day. And so I sit here, the rear door of Duggie open, legs hanging out with the roar of the sea in the distance, the sound of gentle birds tweeting, a gentle breeze blowing and a huge sense of peace. This beautiful #inspiring view of the dusk sky changing colours framed by the shadows of clouds is the perfect spot to say goodbye to the day, the perfect spot to think, the perfect spot to be #creative. So what if I've got to be back for work in the morning. I can't think of a better way to start the day bright and early, watching the sun come up going for a run on the beach and possibly a swim brain reset and ready for #productivity.

The sun set at about 21:45 and that coincided with finishing as much as I could do work wise not having access to my laptop and managing as much as I could on my iPhone and iPad. As there is no electric hook up of course I was a bit hesitant about putting the lights on, so it was lights out for me, in time to try and get some sleep. Initially, I must admit I was a little nervous waiting for the advent of a gang of boy racers doing doughnuts around the van and smashing the window in a similar way to that that I experienced in the Australian outback back near Tennants Creek in 2000 (yes very close to where Peter Falconio went missing!). I think that experience while camping has stayed with me a little bit too much. As the night advanced I settled and slept really well; not a sound to be heard apart from the distant thunder of #waves crashing onto the shore. I noticed it getting light and didn’t want to miss sunrise. That was at 3:59. I dozed a little and woke again just after five. The alarm set was only 15 minutes later. An excited feeling stirred in my belly so I got up, put my trainers on and started running across the Dunes, across the wide sandy beach and out towards the shoreline. Not a soul in sight, just me and this abundance of #nature.

The day was cloudy so the full extent of the beauty of the #sunrise could not be seen, but it certainly could be appreciated. I could see the faint marks of horses' hooves in the sand and wondered whether they were fresh from this morning and felt a slight pang of jealousy. The lucky bugger! But I was experiencing just the same on my bare feet. I reach the waters' edge and stripped down to my togs and and ran in squealing like a child in delight. Boy, it was fresh, but absolutely #exhilarating. My skin turned pink as the blood rushed to the surface. I went back in a couple more times before bidding goodbye to the sea and starting my #run back to the van.

A coffee, croissant and some porridge before heading home. My last goodbye to this beautiful place and a promise to return. Now time to head home and start the working day.......