This morning, I woke to the birds singing and sunlight pouring into my bedroom. What a great day, I thought to connect with nature.

So I made a packed breakfast comprising peppermint tea and lots of fruit and set off to the West Beach Nature Reserve. I went past the busy main road, across the bridge over the river Arun, past the shabby industry units, past the B&B’s, went down the winding pathway past the boat graveyard, past some brave daffodils popping their head up, past the posh yacht club, past the golf club (which should be transformed back to a salt marsh!) until I reached my destination of peace and tranquillity.

As I sat on a large piece of driftwood, drinking my tea, and staring out to the sea, I thought, wow. The waves were lapping against the shore, the sea-gulls screeching their tune. The large spacious beach was empty, the sea vast and mighty. I felt small in comparison, but connected and peaceful. Nature is my muse, my healer, my guide.

Or, as William Wordsworth says in the poem ‘Few Miles above Tintern Abbey’:

“In nature and the language of the sense
The anchor of my purest thoughts, the nurse,
The guide, the guardian of my heart, and soul
Of all my moral being.”

Living close to nature is important to me as I have to be connected to the natural world. I try and have at least a brief walk on the beach every day. I must admit, that like John Masefield I have ‘Sea Fever’.

“I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.”

If like me, you love listening to nature, then promote it by treating yourself to one of our fabulous GGG “Listen to Nature” T-shirts. Wear it with pride.