We welcome a new Blogger ‘Seaside Singleton’ this year who will treat us to their experiences of living by the coast.  If you have any questions for Seaside Singleton, we will be happy to forward them on. Simply send an email to info@runawaycoast.com

January blog – A New Life by the Sea

By Seaside Singleton

So here we are – 2012, a new year and a new start for me in Aldeburgh.
Its my first January here and although I’ve been here plenty of times in the summer as a visitor, living here in the winter is a totally new concept to me.

January can be a depressing time of the year and I’m entering into this month with a feeling of intrepidation. I mean – who visits a seaside town like Adeburgh in January?  Yes, in the last few years its become popular for non-residents to spend Christmas here, but after New Years is out of the way who will be left?  Will there be scenes of tumbleweed rolling along the empty streets?  Will I go for days without seeing another person? Ok, so those last comments were a bit extreme….  But as any resident of a seaside town that relies heavily on the tourist trade knows, January is a feared month.

I remember visiting in August before I moved here and my friend saying, ‘’I expect its strange living here in the winter”. Oh how his words are ringing in my ears now!
So, ‘what is a 28 year old single woman like me doing here?’ Well, in September, when the man-du-jour decided he wasn’t interested after all, and after a bit too much red wine, I decided that it was time to take control of my life and follow my own dreams. Yes, most sane people in this situation find themselves having a new haircut or drinking too much wine with their girlfriends; but then again, I’ve never really followed the norm.  A new life on the other side of the country writing a book seemed like a great idea. So I sold my business and took a leap of faith leaving my friends and life in Swansea behind to write a book. Only time will tell if this really was the most sensible move to make….

Although I moved here from another seaside town, Aldeburgh couldn’t be more different.  I always think that the people make a place, and the people of Swansea have an abundance of differences to the people you find here.  The women you are likely to meet on a Saturday night in Swansea are usually smothered in fake tan, wearing little more than their undies, and are very friendly, down to earth and Welsh.   The men are generally also wearing fake tan, pumped with steroids and usually saying things like ‘boyo’ and ‘tidy’.  Yes, this is a massive generalisation, as not all Swansea-ites are like this, but it is not an unfounded observation. I’ve yet to see anyone wearing more than the slightest bit of fake tan here.

People here fall into two categories: the permanent residents and temporary residents. The uniform here for temporary residents seems to be Jack Wills branded clothing or corduroy trousers and cashmere sweaters (depending on age). The more permanent residents (I like to call them the hardcore residents) own at least one dog and ride an old clapped out bicycle; though I think the characters in Aldeburgh are more diverse and eccentric than those found in Swansea.  I wonder how long it will take for me to adapt?! Im already wearing less fake tan and thinking about getting a dog, so watch this space!

Suffolk has a very different unique appeal and despite the cold weather, Aldeburgh doesn’t lose any of its beauty at this time of year.  The light is different – the sky takes on a different shade and there have been some incredible sunny crisp winter mornings on the beach with not a sole around.  Yes, the sea wall looks a bit empty at the weekends without the usual children walking on it, and the couples eating fish and chips, but its strangely peaceful. I wonder if the novelty will wear off; will keep you posted.