OK - it might not seem brave to you but believe me, this water was very chilly. Exceedingly.
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| Going under |
But my children - two of my children - are made of resilient stuff and spend the day on Saturday, defying the cold, braving the waves and having an absolutely whale of a time.
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| Breaking waves |
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| The less daring faction of the family... |
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| We didn't build these ourselves |
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| but we wish we had |
Our first summer day on the beach this year. We visited two beaches, both in Almuñecar. The first one was busy and wide, with the town at our backs. We were surrounded by incredibly noisy, boisterous and uninhibited local Spanish people - it is their beach, after all. The other, which we found later in the day, was at the furthest end of the town and we hadn't been there before but we loved it. There were three little bays backed by high cliffs. Designated a nudist beach, it seemed as though most of the town's people shunned it and it was wonderfully peaceful. There were a few naked bodies, which is fine by me, some quieter and more peaceful families and a few foreigners, reading books or just chilling - not yelling into mobile phones, having Fanta fights or shouting at their children...
I hope by the next time we go, the water will have warmed up just a tad...I went in but my, was it cold!
How are your summer plans shaping up - water, pool or somewhere else?
Hello Annie:
ReplyDeleteWe do not 'do' water at any temperature and so we are in absolute awe of your resilience in wading into the waves so early in the season. Yes, we should have been firmly left behind building the pebble sculptures, which do look rather splendid.
Krakow and Lucca for us this Summer and not a beach or water in sight.
Dear Jane and Lance, I know some people are irresistibly drawn to water - I'm one of them - and others are not! Eldest son did not like the first beach and refused to behave in a beachy manner, saying he preferred mountains. (He liked the quieter, second one we went to though, where there were rocks to explore.)
DeleteKrakow and Lucca sound excellent choices and I look forward to hearing more about your summer there. Axxx
It looks as if everyone had a good time despite the water temperature. I love the pebble sculptures....there is someone who teaches pebble sculpture ( I think it is actually advertised as pebble balancing ) in Hebden Bridge. They often create things in the beck just outside our house. I did think they were held together with glue the first time I saw them. Carry on enjoying your Spanish summer. I am revelling in my first whole French one. Jxxx
ReplyDeleteHi Janice, yes, it was a lovely day and my legs look a nicer colour now too. We often do pebble sculptures - never thought you could be taught how to do them; how very Hebden Bridge!
DeleteI was a bit surprised at how cold the water was. When we lived in Malaga, about 16 years ago, I used to swim as early as February...but nothing would have got me in up to my neck yesterday!
I'm sure you will have a wonderful French summer. Axxx
Not at all a beach person...and definitely not keen on entering cold water...I'm shivering at the thought of going in there!
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking, Fly, in the real sense of the word. I did venture in so can vouch for the incredible resistance of my children! Fortunately, the sun was lovely and warm and there was little or no shivering done at all during the day.
DeleteAxxx
I have a thing about sand - I hate it! As a consequence beaches aren't for me, but I love to watch the power of the water and waves.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of your summer which I'm sure will warm up, and the water temperature with it.
Inland France sounds perfect for you then, Gaynor! I must say, the sand did get everywhere, including into my rather tasty tuna pasta salad. I'd added some green pepper for crunch, so we didn't need any extra! The waves were an added bonus as the Med is often very calm.
DeleteAxxx
It's lovely the inhibition of youth - I remember mine emerging from a freezing Scottish loch with smiles wide across their faces.
ReplyDeleteThe stones are fascinating little towers - one looks like a Scottish cairn usually found on top of a hill.
Celia x
Note the contrast with teenage Mateo, Celia! He's not unhappy but he's SO adolescent at the moment. I know it will pass in time - can you believe I was the same; introverted, always uncomfortable, unsociable. He maintains a sense of humour, but cannot be encourage (and will not be provoked!) into spontaneity or uninhibited fun when we are out in public.
DeleteWhilst not at Scottish loch temperatures, I'm sure, the difference was the temperature out of the water, which was just perfect!
We are going to build pebble structures next time we go - they are somehow very calming and tranquil to look at. Did you see Janice's comment that you can learn 'pebble balancing' in Hebden Bridge! Axxx
That looks like great fun, Annie, despite the temperature of the water. I will never forget the expressions of shock on the faces of some of my classmates on a school trip to Provence in early May when I was 16. We went to the beach near Marseilles and they went rushing into the water, which was absolutely freezing because of the snow-melt from the Alps which comes down the Rhone to Marseilles. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the sea and beaches despite being a poor swimmer and look forward to taking our youngest grandson to the beach when he comes to stay with us in France next month.
I have to admit, when the little ones went in there was lots of screaming and shouting and I told them not to make so much noise (NOT that the Spaniards care)- and then I went in and made a helluva row when a wave broke over me and gave me such a shock! It was too cold to swim (in my opinion) but great to splash around for a couple of m..seconds! Hope the sea warms up a bit before you venture in.
DeleteAxxx
Well, it's hard to imagine the cold from looking at the pretty, summery pictures. Looks like it was a fun time! We are still waiting for summer weather here (Pacific NW). We call this time of year "Juneuary" ;)
ReplyDeleteI cannot stress enough just how chilly it was - despite the appearance to the contrary, Elizabeth. My children must be made of tough stuff. Juneuary sounds like an interesting month! Axxx
DeleteI actually quite like the sea when it's cold. Try taking a dip at Walberswick in Suffolk in May ... your kids would love it ;D
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of the beach at the far end of town, I'll happily avert my eyes from a few naked bodies in return for a quiet beach. Are dogs allowed there too?
Ah, Annie, I know Walberswick well - dipped many a toe in the water there and in Southwold and Aldeburgh. Just a toe, mind!
DeleteThe naked beach was lovely and we'll go again - and take Darwin as long as it's not too, too hot. He would prefer to stay in the campo with my friend and roam free for the day.
(I don't avert my eyes, I have a really good peer - I can't help it!)
Axxx