LandLove Magazine – June 2018

Beach days are finally in sight, and with the unpredictable weather at the start of this year, the warm days are welcomed. So that means digging out the flip flops and heading to the coast. Everyone gets nostalgic when it comes to seaside holidays, reminiscing about sand castles, running down to the water, riding the donkeys, visiting the arcades and finishing the day with a big pile of chips – a true British holiday! But what used to be a popular part of our seaside escapes, picking the perfect postcard to send to family and friends back home, has sadly become a forgotten tradition. We all have fond memories of postcards and many will have been safely stowed away as a reminder of summer adventures gone by, but now, as technology makes sending snaps easier, the tradition has become less popular. On p.96 we discover the history of these quirky cards and explain how you can start receiving postcards from all over the world thanks to a new website, Postcrossing, which is helping to keep the custom alive. However, if sand between your toes is what you’re after, turn to p.104 where we discover Britain’s top spots for beach-combing. Visit popular treasure troves such as Scotland’s Ruby Bay in Elie, home to ‘Elie rubies’ – red-brown stones that when polished give off a blood-red shine – and Whitby Bay where you’ll find pieces of the famed Whitby jet and ammonite fossils. We’ve been inspired by the sea for our folklore series this issue too and dived into the water in search of Britain’s mermaids.