Pebble dash

The sun beats hazily down
Distant children's voices shout
The green sea laps the sandy beach
In lazy waves that climb the bay.

We clamber down the bank
Lugging bags and wind-break
Judiciously we choose a spot of sand
Far from prying neighbours' eyes.

The baked beach is laid out in bands
Sand and pebbles, crackling dry seaweed
A distant radio floats music on air
While we secretly undress.

And dash across the hot pebbles
To splash into the sea.