Harewick may be one of the places that people retire to when they want peace and quiet. Sandy Vale is where you go when you’ve had it up to here, and you need peace and quiet. Once a modest fishing settlement, the town has transformed itself into one of Alderwick's most fashionable seaside retreats, complete with elegant boarding houses, comfortable inns, and well-manicured gardens. There is also a promenade upon which the area’s wealthier visitors may parade their finest attire while pretending not to notice one another.

Much of Sandy Vale's reputation rests upon the supposedly restorative properties of its sea air and sea water. The veracity of this depends largely on who you speak to, although the proprietors of the local establishments will try to convince you that enough visits can cure practically any ailment. Sandy Vale is meant for leisurely walks, sea-bathing, or reclining beneath colourful parasols while contemplating the considerable expense of doing very little. The few remaining fishermen make a living supplying fresh seafood to the town's kitchens, and indulging the fantasies of patrons who wish to be a fisherman for a day.

Despite its popularity, Sandy Vale retains a certain peaceful elegance, particularly outside the holiday season when the visitors have departed and the residents can finally hear themselves think. Sunsets over the water are a melody of orange and pink, the beach is delightful for a morning dip, and there are few better places in Alderwick to escape the demands of everyday life. Look out for those early-morning runners though. Why anyone would roll out of bed at that hour just to make themselves sweat is beyond me.