This must have been the most exciting Sunday I’ve had in the last 2 years. Not only did I get up early and go for a walk up by the church, but I also went to the beach .

Having lived a very quiet …though not at all boring….life for the last few years , then almost anything out of the ordinary is exciting.

After waking up about 5am it occurred to me that I could write my weekly email to my brother while sitting on a bench under the arches. I often have ideas like this , but today I actually did it.

What a beautiful morning it was. More easily described in pictures than words.

It was seeming like a long morning when I got an invite to go to the beach. I thought about saying no , then in a reckless moment ,I said “yes”.

I haven’t been in a swimsuit at the beach for at least 3 years. I am a bit vain and had decided to keep my peelywally wrinkly body covered up for the foreseeable future or until I got less vain.

So , slightly horrified at myself, I climbed up my ladder and searched for summer clothes and swimsuits in baskets and suitcases.

I found 2 suitable vintage type swimsuits. Not the victorian type : up to your neck, down to your ankles and then a nice cap for your hair, but more 50s style with ” proper coverage” . There was nothing I could do about my peelywallyness. (Pale skin.) I am yet to be convinced that wrinkles don’t look better a nice golden brown colour. And I was going to a beach full of bronzed Italians.

After much sighing and grimacing and texts to my daughter I was ready.

I had a lovely time with a Swedish friend who doesn’t have my hang ups.

I wasn’t going to go swimming ,but after lying about for an hour or so I was so relaxed that I thought I would try a bit of a paddle and one thing led to another.

I had forgotten how brilliant and refreshing it is to swim in the sea.

This summer is starting to feel quite scarily amazing.

After all that I am in need of a glass of wine.

Cheers🍷🍷