Treyarnon

I'm still aching from the unaccustomed effort of bodyboarding last weekend, down in Cornwall. A bunch of my cycling mates and their families stayed in the wonderful and friendly youth hostel in Treyarnon, and we had such a good time. The teenage lads hung around together, spending most of their time in the water, one way or another. Some of the men went road cycling while others of us, plus the three women, went for strolls in the morning and surfed in the afternoon.

For what seems like the first time this summer, the weather was friendly, with light breezes, warm sun and co-operative waves and tides.

The weather made everything seem relaxed and friendly. There was no forced togetherness, individuals and families either did their own thing or went out in small groups, coming together as and when we felt like it. Somehow the atmosphere was different from that of the other hostelling group that we go our with; perhaps it was because its origin was different, we were a bunch of blokes with our lads and (some) partners, rather than families, so there was less pressure to be together. I guess it could also be the nature of the men: we were there as a cycling group, all with a desire to be out there doing stuff, hence the groups who went off to cycle and the lads who headed out to surf real waves rather than the internet.

Saturday night we all ate together at the hostel, in the garden overlooking the sea. The sun set beyond us, we ate well, drank convivially, and went to bed tired and happy before ten o'clock.


The bodyboarding (boogie-boarding) was fun. I couldn't get to rips with it at first, until Jeff gave me a few tips, and then everything just flowed. I caught the breaking foamy surf and skimmed into the shore so many times, just enjoying myself with the mindless thrill of it all. Somehow it was more fun than cycling; perhaps because it's simpler, more elemental, and althought there is physical effort, so much is provided by nature.

And on both days' morning walks, we saw seals bobbing up from the surging seas, basking in the rare sunshine. It was wonderful to see them so clearly.


I want to go again soon.

:O)