A weekend stamp event on the Long Beach Peninsula, Washington.

We arrive late in Long Beach, Washington, under the cover of darkness and check in to The Breakers. It's not a plush as I remember, but it was 8 years ago since we were here. The room with the view only has a view if you go out onto the balcony and turn to the left, but it's pelting down with rain. Kerry sits on the bed, a spring gives way... This is no Bellagio bed; one thin blanket and a pair of poly cotton sheets will be our only comfort for tonight. No turndown service here! We meet the folks for dinner, I have a rather nice poached sole. Back to the room for a chilly on a lumpy matress. We're up early and meet the folks for breakfast. Out of season there is not a lot of choice in Long Beach, but we find the 'pick of the litter' in the 42nd Street Cafe. I have Cafe au Lait and beignets, and share half a bacon waffle with Rosy. Kerry and I take off for Nahcotta, leaving the family to stroll on the beach. We pass picturesque scenery, and a Cranberry museum - an homage to the local farming industry, to arrive in Nahcotta, which is beautiful! I love it the minute we arrive. Somewhere a rooster is crowing the morning alive, someone is burning wood and the smoky smell is wonderful. Stepping out of the car there is a fabulous view across the bay, I am conscious of crunching, not on driveway gravel, but on oyster shells. The tiny Post Office is exactly how I remember it in the picture, but the setting is so much more charming. Flowering crysantheums adorn the porch and a stove inside is welcome relief from the autumn chill. The 115th celebration of the community post office goes off swimmingly and the special commemorative stamp cancellation I helped design is a hit with everyone. The walls of the old post office and general store are lined with pictures and text on the rich local history of oysters and cranberries. While Kerry glad hands the local community and helps cancel stamps on special postcards, I meet the lady whose grandfather built the store and post office.
Whilst taking the few photos outside before we leave, I reflect on whether the locals really appreciate what they have. What they have is worth more than any cityscape in the world, and that's a die-hard city girl from London talking...

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