We awoke to grey skies and intermittent mizzle.
The KHT made a rather startling announcement over breakfast.
"I think I need to buy a new swimsuit."
"You have a perfectly good swimsuit, you never wear it!"
"No I want one that goes down to my knees."
"Oh! A surf suit!"
In reality, there have been many occasions when she has been offered a replacement for the one she outgrew several years ago, but has always declined the offer.
"Where shall we go today?" enquired DH, looking at the leaden, leaking skies.
"Well, I thought we might go to the castle at Berry Pomeroy, and then on to a beach to the east, as the weather is much better in the direction."
This seemed like a most excellent plan, as the KHT loves a bit of history.
We searched our wallets and realised we both had membership cards for English Heritage. The trouble was they expired in 2016. Somewhere at home are the ones for 2017 and 2018...
We moved swiftly on to the second phase of the plan, and as we drove eastward, the descending dampness dried up as blue sky began to appear. We chose our destination on the basis that it is sheltered, and you can usually park for free! True to form, we found a parking spot, albeit behind a lamp post. Result.
 |
| It is far too big!!! |
We picked our spot on the beach, and sat watching the tide, trying to work out if high tide had been or was still to come. For over an hour the waves seemed to reach the same place, then gradually the tide began to go out.
At lunchtime the sun made a serious breakthrough and our sheltered spot turned into a sweltering spot. Then I had a dawning realisation...
"My beach shoes are still in the car!"
"That's clever" responded DH.
After a while, the lure of the sea was too much. I decided to go and paddle, but the beach is rather stony. DH was happily reading
I borrowed his beach shoes
"I look like a clown!" I said, looking down at my size 6 feet in size 11 shoes. Toes clearly not reaching the end of the shoe. This never happened to Cinderella, but then again, these are not glass slippers.
DH glanced at my feet and carried on reading.
The sea was oh so refreshingly cool, delightfully cool.
After a bit, DH appeared.
"We forgot my beach shoes."
"NO, these are your beach shoes - you can have them if you want, they are yours."
DH looked at my feet incredulously
"Those are my shoes?" he said doubtfully.
I confirmed that they were.
He stood bravely on a small patch of sand. DH does not like stony beaches.
"No, it's fine."
After a bit I walked back up the beach, sloshing seawater as I went. Each foot had its own mini sea pool. I took off the beach shoes and tipped the water out onto the beach, and watched it drain away out of sight, into the sand.
Beaches are great places for people watching. These are a few of the folk I observed today.
Immaculate Matriarch
Head held high. Gracefully executing breaststroke, without disturbing or dampening her lacquered locks. Probably over 80, and swims every day...
The Walrus
Grey haired - adopts a style where the head is much closer to the water. Accompanies the Immaculate Matriarch, but lacks her grace and speed.
Senior Swimmers
Appear usually in twos. Have a quick swim. Exit.
The Unprepared
A small family unit in Sunday best on a Saturday, who looked like they had taken a wrong turning and ended up on the beach by accident. They then went in the sea - him in shorts and her in her posh togs with handbag over her shoulder...
Divers
Local families with children, who know from experience exactly where it is safe to jump in the sea from the slipway at high tide, and do so at regular intervals.
Jellyfish Terrorist
Another local, who carries a small jellyfish up and down the beach, offering it to innocent beachgoers...
Probationer Paddleboarders
Have recently purchased a blowup paddleboard, but have yet to master their craft. The circumspect remain seated or kneeling. The foolhardy stand up too soon and fall in.
Nervousness may come from watching Jaws films.
Perpendicular Paddleboarders
Readers
Settle down with a good book, and let the waves wash by
Youf
Locals enjoying their beach, as they should. What a wonderful place to grow up!
Jet Skiers
Perform noisy, extrovert manoevers to entertain any passing seagull.
Rock Throwers - Adult
Able to lob significant rocks an impressive distance, resulting in a very satisfying spladoooosh!
Rock Throwers - Juvenile
Indiscriminate aim. Senior Swimmers keep a careful eye on them, as they pass by.
Long-distance Loner
Suddenly appears from over the horizon. No-one knows how far he has swum, but he has a good technique and isn't out of breath.
Glass Hunters
Wander aimlessly along the beach, unobservant of whom they pass by. They are looking for treasure... Guilty as charged :)
We debated going to see if we could find a fish and chip restaurant that could comply with DH's dietary requirements. Decided it would be quicker and simpler to cook our own tea. We walked into Sainsbury's and the KHT's face lit up at the sight of a well-stocked rack of surf suits. She also bought another CD...
As we left Sainsbury's the security man's face lit up, when the surf suit activated the alarm.
"I have paid for it!" The KHT informed him. He checked her receipt. The suit was duly detagged and handed back...
The Walrus
Grey haired - adopts a style where the head is much closer to the water. Accompanies the Immaculate Matriarch, but lacks her grace and speed.
Senior Swimmers
Appear usually in twos. Have a quick swim. Exit.
The Unprepared
A small family unit in Sunday best on a Saturday, who looked like they had taken a wrong turning and ended up on the beach by accident. They then went in the sea - him in shorts and her in her posh togs with handbag over her shoulder...
Divers
Local families with children, who know from experience exactly where it is safe to jump in the sea from the slipway at high tide, and do so at regular intervals.
Jellyfish Terrorist
Another local, who carries a small jellyfish up and down the beach, offering it to innocent beachgoers...
Probationer Paddleboarders
Have recently purchased a blowup paddleboard, but have yet to master their craft. The circumspect remain seated or kneeling. The foolhardy stand up too soon and fall in.
Nervousness may come from watching Jaws films.
Perpendicular Paddleboarders
Effortless style, skimming over the waves, whilst remaining perfectly upright. If they have watched Jaws films, they would know the technique to take out a shark, without altering their stroke.
Readers
Settle down with a good book, and let the waves wash by
Youf
Locals enjoying their beach, as they should. What a wonderful place to grow up!
Jet Skiers
Perform noisy, extrovert manoevers to entertain any passing seagull.
Rock Throwers - Adult
Able to lob significant rocks an impressive distance, resulting in a very satisfying spladoooosh!
Rock Throwers - Juvenile
Indiscriminate aim. Senior Swimmers keep a careful eye on them, as they pass by.
Long-distance Loner
Suddenly appears from over the horizon. No-one knows how far he has swum, but he has a good technique and isn't out of breath.
 |
| It fits! |
Wander aimlessly along the beach, unobservant of whom they pass by. They are looking for treasure... Guilty as charged :)
We debated going to see if we could find a fish and chip restaurant that could comply with DH's dietary requirements. Decided it would be quicker and simpler to cook our own tea. We walked into Sainsbury's and the KHT's face lit up at the sight of a well-stocked rack of surf suits. She also bought another CD...
As we left Sainsbury's the security man's face lit up, when the surf suit activated the alarm.
"I have paid for it!" The KHT informed him. He checked her receipt. The suit was duly detagged and handed back...
No comments:
Post a Comment