There's just something about the sea, isn't there? I'd always taken it for granted when I lived in Dublin and could cycle there in five minutes. I didn't realise how much I'd miss it when we moved inland.
We do have a lake in the back garden...but it's just not the same.
My daughter and I looked for a house for two years. My husband didn't have the patience and good thing, because then we were able to get what we wanted. Always we wanted to live by the shore. She wanted a house on the beach, but the ones out of a flood zone were way out of our price bracket. This house is close enough. Just about any day of the week she'll come home and say, "I'm going to the beach with the dog." It's five minutes away.
No, a lake isn't the same, but it is lovely :)--especially if ducks come.