My Coast: Ali Bastian

I’m a real Pisces and I love to go to the seaside whenever I can. I'm completely in love with the west coast of Ireland. I've got friends who live in Sligo, so I tend to go over there once or twice a year, and my boyfriend’s family have a home just outside Cork. It’s so beautiful and you can see why that area is used so much as a film location.

Strandhill Beach in Sligo is really special. It’s a surf spot, and has a laid-back feel. There’s a wonderful little beach café, called Shells Café, which is a family-run business and a great place to go for a coffee or for breakfast after a long walk. And in Cork, Barleycove is one of the best beaches. Every time we go, we wish we could take the dogs, Molly and Mable – they’d love it – but we usually fly. Molly’s always liked the beach, and I tried to get her to swim, but neither of them are swimmers – they won’t go in past their knees!

I love swimming in any kind of natural water. My family live in Salcombe, Devon, which is another place I tend to go every year and I love it down there. They’re very sporty and constantly kayaking and paddle-boarding – my cousin, Emma, teaches SUP yoga, which is yoga on a paddle board. We’re a family of water babies, definitely!

I was aware that Blackpool was a very special place for ballroom dancing, but nothing really prepares you for how beautiful the Tower Ballroom is. I did a Viennese waltz there on Strictly Come Dancing, and got out onto the ballroom floor, put my head back, looked at the ceiling and literally, it took my breath away. I was just turning and turning, in hold, taking in all the beautiful architecture.

I could definitely spend some more time in Cornwall. My family originate from there, so I’d like to explore that part of the world a bit more. I’m always drawn to the water. I find the seaside an excellent place to sit and think, or clear your mind.