Mad Day at the Beach

We have a tendency in our house to have mad moments and just doing something, anything on a whim. Due to hubby not being well we don't plan anything specific so when he's feeling up to it we just go with the flow and see where the day takes us. Except yesterday was a definite mad moment. Kids on school holidays, eldest out with her boyfriend and the youngest 'bored' already, so hubby decided lets take the dogs for a walk on the beach at Mappleton over on the East Coast. We visited Mappleton last year and it was beautiful, lovely huge beach, you could walk for miles.

I thought it was a good idea so suggested that he check the weather for the area and times of the tide. It is approximately 80 miles from where we live and I was thinking it's a tad too far if the tide is in. I was assured that we were up for light showers and the tide was not an issue, so of we go. Car packed, Daughter in the back with a long face because we are dragging her away from her iPad which she is on FaceTime all day with her best friend and off we go. On route we decided fish and chips for lunch from Hornsea then on to Mappleton for the beach. Well I'm sure you won't be surprised if I told you that as we approached Hornsea the so called light showers were persistent rain. We parked up, found a fish and chip shop then sat soaked in the car while we ate them. Car completely steamed up and I suggested lets turn around and go home. It had taken us 2 hours to get to Hornsea. Hubby said we are already wet so why not just pop to the beach and see what it's like. So 6 miles down the road later we park up and yes you guessed it the tide was well and truly in. I had to ask myself what weather and tide information had hubby looked at because it was or he was wrong on all counts. Still there was a small patch of beach that we were able to get on and it stopped raining. Down to the beach we go, the dogs loved chasing the pebbles and getting their feet wet. Youngest though was not impressed.

Even though it was wet and the tide was in we and the dogs did enjoy ourselves. Daughter maybe not so much. A four hour round trip for a bag of chips and 30 minutes on the beach is a bit mad but thats who we are. Next time though I think will check the weather and tide reports.

Enjoying a rare but welcome child free week this week, so we put the dogs in the car and headed to our new favourite spot on the East Coast. Mappleton Sands is a tiny village right next door to Hornsea.

There is a small FREE car park and clean toilets located at the top of a small hill but my hubby made it and he's not well. When you first get down to the beach there is quiet a few pebbles and rocks but if you keep to the let its easier to access. Finding the car park was very easy there is an ice cream parlour and sign post saying viewing point and your there.

The dogs were allowed to go on the beach with no restrictions other than you must clean up after them but thats it. I have been going to the East Coast since I was a little girl and have never come across this hidden gem.

There is no shops so you need a picnic or you can eat in Hornsea village. The nice surprise was the beach is so long and you could spend many an happy hour there. There was lots of families on the beach but being so big you hardly noticed anyone.

The dogs and us had a fab time and are hoping to return with the girls in a couple of weeks time.

Penny waiting expectantly for another pebble to be thrown, wouldn't mind but she doesn't even pick them up and bring them back

Lacey looking like she owns the beach, she be small but she thinks she's a great dane