Hello, Dearest Daydreamer, welcome to the Isle of Neverwas. The light has returned to the island, and the days are beginning to grow longer. It is springtime, and the fairy folk are enjoying the changing of the season after a long, cold winter. There is still a chill in the air, but the islanders are spending more time outdoors together as the island begins to shake off its winter slumber.

Today, daydreamer, we are going for a walk along Bubble Beach. Follow the winding road from Slumber-on-Sea, past the sailor’s cottages, and meet me at the harbour wall. This is where we will start our walk together.

We are standing at the top of the worn stone steps that will take us from the harbour down onto the beach. Bubble Beach is the largest stretch of soft, golden sand on the coastline of the Isle of Neverwas. Let’s pause for a moment. It’s quiet today; the sky is a bit overcast, but a warm breeze blows from the southwest. Seagulls are flying overhead, swooping, diving, and circling back, gliding on invisible currents of air.

The stone steps are wide, worn smooth over time. Let’s head down to the beach now. There is a black metal handrail to your left if you would like to use it. The islanders have woven old fishing nets between the handrail posts. The panels of the fishing net are decorated with pieces of driftwood, sea glass, and shells. The fairy folk pick up shells or a stone from the beach, and as they climb back up the steps, they will add their treasures to the patchwork. As the wind blows, the trinkets are reclaimed by the beach, making this an organic, living piece of ever-changing artwork.

Let’s keep going; we have almost reached the sand. The breeze has a hint of warmth, a promise of warmer weather to come. Bubble Beach curves away from the sea, the limestone cliffs sheltering visitors from the strongest winds. The beach is wide, and the tide is low, so there is a long stretch of golden sand for us to walk along. Are you feeling brave? Do you want to pause for a moment and remove your socks and shoes? Good choice, don’t forget to roll your trouser legs up just a little. As you step onto the sand, it is soft and dry, and your feet sink a little. Don’t forget to give your toes a wiggle.

The waves are rolling away from the beach. Their clamorous sound slips further away, carried off on the wind. The seagulls are still squalling overhead. If we pause for a moment, you might notice the grains of sand dancing across the beach. Take a deep breath. Fill your lungs with salty sea air, then breathe out slowly. Let go of all the tension you’ve been holding onto. A trip to the beach is the best place to visit to clear the winter cobwebs away. As you take another deep breath, you might notice just the hint of something else. Amongst the smell of seaweed that is scattered about here and there, is the smell of Rosemary. It grows around the island, fragrancing the warming spring air.

Let’s keep walking. The beach here is scattered with large chunks of rock; limestone boulders that have eroded and fallen from the cliffs, crashing to the ground and smashing into smaller fragments. If you are feeling brave, we could take a closer look at the caves. You may want to put your shoes on for the next part of the walk.

The entrances to the caves are clustered together, 3 large holes worn away by years of the sea crashing against them. The fallen rocks curve around and stretch into the sea. The rocks have formed little islands along the beach. Where the fallen stones meet, they have formed rock pools. Living in the rock pools nestled safely in the puddles of salty seawater is the best place to encounter some of the other inhabitants of the Isle of Neverwas. As the tide crashes back to the shore, the rock pools are filled with fresh water, and the stones disappear below the bubble of foamy waves. This is why the beach is called Bubble Beach. The incoming tide makes a distinctive gurgle as the sea filters through the rocks and the tide rolls back out across the sand.

Let’s take a closer look at the rock pools. There are plenty of sandy spaces between the rocks, and the stones are mostly smooth. Seaweed is scattered here and there. The pools are all different sizes; they are full of life, home to limpets and winkles, sea anemones and crabs. The rock pools are vibrant ecosystems. Can you see the starfish? You might need to take a closer look; it’s sheltering under some seaweed. Just beyond this stretch of rock, the beach narrows and disappears, so if you are finished exploring the rock pools, let’s turn around and walk back along the beach. The tide is starting to come in. 

There is an interesting shell just over there. Do you want to pick it up and add it to the treasure net when you head back up the steps? There is no rush if you want to sit on the soft sand for a while and watch the waves roll in. You could head back up to the harbour and treat yourself to some fish and chips or ice cream. The rest of the day is yours. Take your time and rest a while. Thank you so much for joining me on this walk.

For my daydreamers, mischief-makers, and restless souls, welcome to the Isle of Neverwas. You are home.