Skeggy

I've just spent the last few days with a friend and her two boys in Skegness.   This was a real "re-visit the past" moment for me, as my first 18 years' holidays were generally taken here (with the odd foray to Mablethorpe, Hunstanton, Ingoldmells, and mid-Wales).

Sadly not wild, but I couldn't resist
taking a snap or three (actually about 30
but with digital it's easy to delete . . 

The last time I returned was about 15 years ago, and it was a rather sad place - a typical seaside town badly in need of income and development.   This time I was delighted to see that they have gone full circle and it is now once again, a thriving "resort" which was not that dissimilar to my childhood memories.   The seafront has been developed and has bright new buildings housing the same amusement arcades and food outlets.   The main street is full of both national and local shops, and you could still find candy floss, rock and kiss me quick hats - so many happy memories were re-lived.

"our" Bunny

"Our" guest house is still there, but the pub garden where I remember hearing Lola played over and over again in the summer of 1970 has now been built on.

The beach is still a wide beautiful sandy area just made for football and other beach games.

Beachcombing along this coast is great, I still remember having the yearly challenge with Dad on who could find the smallest most perfectly formed shell - some of them are still in a dish at home.   This year we did wander along a nearby beach and collected shells and were amazed how many starfish had been stranded along the high tide line.

Gorgeous eyes

Our accommodation was a modern lodge caravan - quite an improvement on the 4 berth 'vans of old - on a purpose built park, and although on the face of it you wouldn't expect a great deal of wildlife here, we were greatly impressed.

Young rabbits came close enough for photos - encouraged by our feeding them carrots, celery and cucumber each day.   Skylark were displaying and appeared to be nesting in the long grass which has so far been left next to our plot, Starlings, Kesstrel and Mistle Thrushes were also a daily sighting here.

Barney

Between each of the "avenues" of caravans were small ponds with landscaped areas and waterfalls.   The rabbits hae claimed the waterfall foundation as a purpose built warren.   On the water we saw Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Moorhens - with at least 10 chicks, Mallard - with up to 7 chicks.

The boys loved the wildlife, and I had a nostalgic trip.