Do you feel a connection to the sea?

[Doc Lynam]

For the past couple of years i've lived away from Brighton and i always miss it most at this time of the year. The storms feels stronger and the smell of salt in the air. Do you think growing up in Brighton we have a deeper connection to the coast and sea?

BBC iPlayer - Storyville: 2012-2013: From the Sea to the Land Beyond: Britain's Coast on Film

 

[BLOCK F]

I don't live in Brighton,but further down the coast in West Sussex.
Have always felt a connection to the coast and sea and from our bedroom,I am lucky enough to see the sea really close by. It is a joy in the summer to lie in bed and often the only noise I can here in the early morning is the engines of the fishing boats as they pass by on the way to their either check or put out their lobster pots.
Roll on the Spring!

 

[trueblue]

Absolutely. I lived in one landlocked town for 3 years - the rest of my life I've always ended up by the coast. And all of my favourite cities worldwide are by the sea. I don't swim in it here or go out on boats but if there's no sea, there's something missing. In London for instance, all the places with little shops, good atmosphere, bars/restaurants etc will never match up simply because there isn't that stretch of seafront to escape to. Can't explain it properly but somehow I feel trapped with town on all sides - that view out to the horizon reminds me there's a whole world out there and keeps things in perspective. A walk along the front works wonders for stress.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

It's big rivers that do it for me. Decended from Tynesiders, born close to the Aire, brought up next to the Usk, with relatives near the Thames, and now living under the influence of the Ouse. So much more happens with rivers - especially tidal ones.

 

[Return of the Rev]

Born in Brighton,early years in Seaford then 5 to 20 in Haywards Heath and back to hove,i will always be drawn to see or at least the view of the sea,apart from footie trips/sking all holidays end up by the sea.
Had a friend who grew up in Swindon but moved to Hove and felt unable to breath when returning to Swindon.

 

[BadFish]

Lived away from the sea for 5 years and didn't like it at all. If you look out to sea there are no boundaries keeping you in, no claustrophobic building towering over you. You could potential follow that sea anywhere around the world, anywhere you want to go. The ocean for me now and always represents freedom.

 

[Woodchip]

Spent two weeks in Leicester for a previous job and I hated it. The air in the morning just smelt wrong and it felt heavier. I definitely think I'm stuck to living near the coast now.

 

[Return of the Rev]

spent two weeks in leicester for a previous job and i hated it. The air in the morning just smelt wrong and it felt heavier. I definitely think i'm stuck to living near the coast now.

sister lives up there and when they visit brighton they have to walk the prom

 

[nail-Z]

It's the only thing I truly miss since moving away from Sussex. I spent a lot of time on the beach as a kid as my dad was a fisherman. I always make a point of walking along the seafront with the dog whenever I visit.

I'm only about 6 miles from the beach here, but it's more like a muddy puddle. Pebble beaches are ace.

 

[house your seagull]

Yes! Up here in Manchester even the rivers are shite, so any chance to get to the coast I take.

This weekend I was at Tynemouth, now that is bracing!

A sociologist theorised that Scousers, compared to the miserable Manc neighbours, are a much happier tribe because their working class traditionally worked at the docks, in the open with fresh air and lots of diversity. Mancs on the other hand worked in dark, damp factories doing monotonous labour, and that has influenced their outlook even in these white collar days.

I would like to think that a Brightonian's links to the sea impacts on the way he thinks too.

We look to no-one, we came from the sea.

 

[Flex Your Head]

I lived on the coast, (Hove, Peacehaven, Telscombe Cliffs, Brighton from the age of 4 to 37). Having now lived in SE London for the past 7 years, the sea is the one thing I really miss. From the shimmering blueness in the summer, to the murky grey-green of a stormy winter’s day, the sea is thing of such living, natural beauty that there are days when I have a sense of loss being so far away from it.

Mind you, it was never a lot of fun swimming amongst the turds on Saltdean beach before the sewage situation got sorted!

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

It's big rivers that do it for me. Decended from Tynesiders, born close to the Aire, brought up next to the Usk, with relatives near the Thames, and now living under the influence of the Ouse. So much more happens with rivers - especially tidal ones.

I think the effect is similar. The sea provides a fantastic light and a sense of space. When we lived next to the (tidal) Thames - it had the same impact.

So yes - I would always miss the sea. But a big river would provide a certain comfort.

 

[Return of the Rev]

 

[8ace]

Can take it or leave it really

 

[Camicus]

I have lived by the sea most of my life Brighton,Selsey,Itchinor,RAF Valley. Now live in Bradford and its bloody miserable love the moors and the hills but its not right deep down I know theres no seaside. Still all is not lost Mrs C has caved and a trip to the coast house hunting beckons

 

[skipper734]

My family have made their living from the sea for generations past. Until the early 90's I had never lived in a house where I couldn't see the sea, I knew I would never leave Brighton.
Then along came a Siren who lured me onto the rocks here in Hampshire. Although a little bit of the Hamble River runs through my back garden, it is a six mile drive for me to get my sea fix, on what is really a poor excuse for the sea, they call it the Solent.
Only when I drive back to Brighton and emerge through the Tunnel ( secret bunker ) and get to the top of the hill and the view opens up and in the distance all of Brighton, Hove and the sea is before you. Annual camping visits to Devon with Jnr. Skipper remind me a bit of what I miss, there is sand and rock on those beaches so it's not really the same, the smell is the same which is good.

 

[Biscuit]

For the past couple of years i've lived away from Brighton and i always miss it most at this time of the year. The storms feels stronger and the smell of salt in the air. Do you think growing up in Brighton we have a deeper connection to the coast and sea?

BBC iPlayer - Storyville: 2012-2013: From the Sea to the Land Beyond: Britain's Coast on Film

I've moved away from Brighton and I always miss the sea. I get down as often as I can and just ride the bus along the seafront - I love it.

 

[Commander]

Absolutely. I lived in one landlocked town for 3 years - the rest of my life I've always ended up by the coast. And all of my favourite cities worldwide are by the sea. I don't swim in it here or go out on boats but if there's no sea, there's something missing. In London for instance, all the places with little shops, good atmosphere, bars/restaurants etc will never match up simply because there isn't that stretch of seafront to escape to. Can't explain it properly but somehow I feel trapped with town on all sides - that view out to the horizon reminds me there's a whole world out there and keeps things in perspective. A walk along the front works wonders for stress.

I know what you mean, although personally I much prefer London to Brighton. But I do miss the sea, it's the only thing London is missing. On those hot summer days going to have a few beers in the park is great, but it just isn't the same as doing the same thing on the beach. I really miss the sea.

It's big rivers that do it for me. Decended from Tynesiders, born close to the Aire, brought up next to the Usk, with relatives near the Thames, and now living under the influence of the Ouse. So much more happens with rivers - especially tidal ones.

I thought you were descended from Somali immigrants?

 

[Boys 9d]

I think any large body of water has that same effect. I spent a month visiting friends in Toronto (the fourth largest city in North America) but aways found that the shore of Lake Ontario gave the same feeling of peace as visiting the beaches here.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I love the sea and miss it when living elsewhere. I like to think that the air quality is better at the seaside.