This weekend I returned to a seaside town that will always hold a special place in my heart. Wells-next-the-Sea. A beautiful port on the north Norfolk coast and, more importantly to me, the home of the Wells-next-the-Sea Dojo.
There is a beautiful pine forest that runs along the coast and it is one of my favourite forests. It comes a very close second behind Sherwood Forest (of course!). I always try to make time to come here whenever I visit. I think there is just something about the sea air, the soft sandy soil and these beautiful trees that is just so uplifting.
After spending some time just wandering through the trees I headed out onto the soft sandy beach. I sat for a while and watched the tide coming in before taking off my shoes and walking barefoot through the sand to the waters edge. I even had a quick paddle in the sea. Something I’ve not done for many years!
I had a wonderful afternoon soaking up the seaside and a bit of sun on occasion too. It would soon be time for zazen so I shook off as much sand as I could, put my shoes back on and headed back into the town. After a brisk walk I stepped back into the Wells-next-the-Sea Dojo just in time for evening zazen. This is true joy!