Beach Photography

Yesterday our blogging friend Jill Weatherholt posted about EtchASketch. She asked what toys from our childhoods gave us nostalgic memories. Responding to my comment she prompted me to feature the birthday present I gave Jackie on 1st June this year. She happened to mention her father’s Christmas Santa gifts which were designed

something like this kaleidoscope. Twisting the lens would produce different rose windows viewed from the opposite end of the telescopic device. I, too, cherished childhood memories of such objects. This prompted me, with help from Elizabeth, to research the internet for a genuine antique, as opposed to retro, example.

By turning the tiny handle the lucky children of 1870 were able to produce their own variations.

My short walk on this hot and humid afternoon was

along the clifftop at Barton on Sea, where it looks very much as if there has been more soil erosion since I last tramped there. This pair of readers kept a sensible distance.

Another couple carried their dripping ice creams

to the nearest bench where

taking a large bite was in order.

A number of people brought their own seats. Perhaps the lone woman’s companion had gone in search of ice creams,

perhaps from Marshfield Farm on sale at the Beachcomber café. Someone has lost their bobble hat; the child through the fence has retained his cap.

As always, a number of mobile phones were being put to use.

Mallow and grasses border the footpath;

Photographers shared a crow’s eye view of the Isle of Wight.

Various groups gathered on the beach or in the water; paddling, building sand castles, launching balls for dogs, carrying equipment, or swimming.

Others indulged in photoshoots.

This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy and aromatic chicken jalfrezi; her turmeric pilau rice, fresh onion salad; and paratha from the little shop in New Milton. The Culinary Queen drank Blue Moon, while I drank more of the New Zealand Merlot.

73 comments

  3. That’s a pretty impressive antique version of the old kaleidoscope Derrick. Hours of fun. I never had one but I do recall being allowed to look through a friends – the version like your first photo – and being mesmerized by the changing shapes and colours. I can still recall the feeling of pure delight!

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  4. Oh, I loved kaleidoscopes when I was young and forgot to say so to Jill! Such simple but beautiful toys. We in Austria did not have such a hot and humid day as you; I hope you both manage to cool down enough to sleep tonight. The seaside pictures are so evocative; I could almost hear the sound of the waves and the children calling to each other!

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  5. Those antique kaleidoscopes are something. I didn’t know there were such things. I’m craving an ice cream cone now (and Indian food), but I really like the photo of the bird (crow?) in the grass.

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  9. I enjoyed seeing the kaleidoscope, and taking in all of the beach front activities in evidence on such a beautiful day. But the picture I liked most was of the mallow plant overlooking the sea—what gorgeous colors!

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  11. Photo’s of people at the beach enjoying themselves always bring a smile to my face…. no matter what age, shape, colour, or creed…. they are all enjoying themselves, as community of togetherness….. the beach is societies level playing field…..

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  12. Wow very lovely day
    I hope this isn’t a crazy question, but is that the ground or a big rock in the two photos the couple sitting and the photo next to it with the sign?

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  13. The best pleasures are the ones that don’t require electricity. But I’m glad we have some electronics so we can see your wonderful photos!

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  15. That toy needs to be put up in a museum. It symbolises the simplicity and uncomplicated pleasures of the folks of bygone centuries. That is an alluring walk on the cliff top by the sea. Had I been a child, I’d have been tempted to play cricket on that path through the grass. Ice cream certainly seems to be the most cherished commodity there. I always feel happy watching people use real cameras for photography. Mobile cams seem to debase the very spirit of the art by making it a second class function, if not a tertiary itch.

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    1. Thank you very much, Uma. It is amazing that the toy has survived intact after almost 150 years. Given the drop to the shore, little Uma would have frightened the life out of me. I don’t even know how to use my mobile cam.

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  16. Sorry I’ve missed you recently, Derrick. WordPress stopped sending me emails of some blogs that I follow so I didn’t realise that there was anything there to read. It looks a lovely place, and I loved that evocative mention of the dripping ice creams.

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  17. OH!!!! I love the antique kaleidoscope photos! I’ve always loved kaleidoscopes!
    What a wonderful treasure to find and own!

    My hubby has an old stereoscope that belonged to one of his grandmothers. Her husband, my hubby’s grandfather was a photographer and took some of the “photos” that go in the stereoscope. We’ve bought other “photos” in antique stores through the years and everyone enjoys looking at them. 🙂

    Good to see everyone out and about and having fun! Ice cream would the way to go…and there is fun in keeping up with the drips! 😉 I laughed at the man having a large bite! Cute! 😛

    Hope all were safe in the hot and humid!
    Cool-HUGS!!! 😀

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  18. “Photographer’s shared a crow’s-eye view….” Very Good! 😉

    Looks like Summer has well and truly arrived… at least in the South! Great samples of social scenes, although i do find the rural flora and fauna more enjoyable! 😉

    I can still remember being fascinated with my tube kaleidescope in the 60’s and the always changing patterns, never the same image twice! 🙂

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  19. What a lovely walk you had. Still a little iffy up here, a couple of hours of sun here and there and a few showers.

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  20. I’ve been toying with doing a blog post on my recent activity – selling the die-cast model cars that my brother bequeathed to me. I’ve had some real beauties go to people who will appreciate them. Dinkys, Corgis, Matchbox et al. They were “toys” at one stage. Toys I wasn’t allowed to get my grubby hands on when I was a child. I have some fabulous photos of them.

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  22. The cliff erosion picture made me wonder how far back a sensible distance would have to be. I like the grass in the picture of the people sitting down to eat and ice cream, but you’ve made me want an ice cream! Nostalgic toys for me? Jumbo (an elephant I carried around by the trunk); Endy, a horse on a walking frame; and a dalek that flashed sparks when you scuffed its wheels on the ground.

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  27. Was the one lady in a wheel chair? A very busy spot. And, yes, that was a HUUUUUUGE bite that gent was taking. I bet he’s like me, puts his mouth over it and takes just the alive off the top. I do that with a spoon, in and out, and my wife can’t stand it…so I do it more, naturally. Hit and humid here, too. Hovering in the 80s and 99s F this coming week. Crank up the A/C.

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  29. oh, a kaleidoscope, I remember having one as a child; that it was a magnificent toy at the time.
    I think that now if a child received this toy he would pout and sulk …
    The sea air of your walk had to do good (what I would like to see again the sea)

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