A small but select(!) group met at Leysdown Esplanade on Tuesdy 14 April on a sunny and breezy morning. We enjoyed seeing fishermen on the beach (some digging for soft-shelled crabs as bait for catching skate), and others walking dogs and generally relaxing.

On our return we saw, just past Shell Ness, several nudists enjoying some sunbathing among the dunes in their designated "nudist beach" area - their o

wn particular way of relaxing! We passed quaint cabins which had been much modified over the years where people could enjoy their time by the sea, and were fascinated by the small hamlet of Shell Ness itself, a gated community with its own private access to part of the beach too.

The beach here is "what it says on the tin" - almost entirely composed of broken shells. We then headed off towards Harty Ferry, and were immediately assailed by a chorus of strange sounds which we couldn't at first identify, but thought must be nesting ducks. On closer examination we saw, and heard!, dozens of beautiful green frogs calling to each other in a water-filled ditch.

On returning to Leysdown we enjoyed a lovely fish and chip lunch sitting out in the sunshine!