Retracing my steps back under the bridge I continued along the Belgian Promenade (so called because it was built by Flemish refugees during the first world war) to Church Island which is reached by a causeway across a quiet corner of the straits. There's nothing on the island other than the small 15th century St. Tysilio's chapel and the churchyard with a large war memorial on top of the central hill - it was a bit of a steep climb up the steps and paths but worth it for the view when I got up there.
It was while I was walking back along the causeway that I saw a sudden movement in the water a distance away, but whatever it was had gone again in an instant. I kept looking though and a few minutes later it appeared again - it was the head and upper body of a grey seal, though even with my zoom lens I couldn't get a really good shot of it. It stayed for several minutes before finally disappearing and as hard as I looked I didn't see it again. Back on the Belgian Promenade I went down onto the sand and walked along at the water's edge until I got back to my starting point, then with one final shot taken I made my way back to the van.
It was almost 5pm by then and time to think about sorting out my evening meal so instead of going somewhere else I drove back to the camp site to spend the rest of my time chilling out and thinking about my day. I'd had a lovely time out, the weather had been fantastic, the Hidden Gardens were beautiful, I'd got some great photos and I'd even seen a seal - I don't think life could have got any better just then.
