Well... the dearth of Critters on my last walk was more than made up for yesterday!
Another absolutely glorious day, and a short but sweet run was undertaken before the heat set in.
Breakfast eaten... an al fresco picnic packed for the back pack... ice pack included... Check list for Mr OF... walking poles... painkiller taken as per consultant's instructions.. and off to one of our favourite walks and our secret beach!
A slow, leisurely walk along the coastal path...marveling at the view and the abundance of flower and foliage. The trail deserted and hard-baked underfoot, despite the torrential rain at the weekend. Easier to walk on the browning, but still cushion-springy tufts of grass...
After half an hour or so we turned and headed for our beach. We call it ours, since it was discovered many, many years ago... there is a small main beach, where folk trundle down the boat ramp, to sit and swim...but this one is hidden from view and slightly tricky to get down to.
Years ago, we got down with little trouble...younger, fitter, bendier and very dare-devil. In those days we were climbing regularly in the Llanberis Pass... walking the mountains of Snowdonia and even when our children were small, we used to go down to this beach, and they loved it too! Young limbs !
Now... age has had an impact.. the natural wear and tear, means more care needs taking. Mr OF has a crocked knee, ( years of rock-climbing) and knees jammed in tight places), and so, the descent is slower. Eventually after much laughter and general tomfoolery... we are ensconced in the place we have sat in for over 50 years... and only once seen one other person on that beach!
The sun is strong and I am ready to go into the sea, almost straight away...skinny dipping is always fun... and the water, clear as crystal, with, wonderfully, the kelp growing thickly again , was like a warm caress on the skin.. Poddling around and out again grabbing a big t shirt and hat.. I pootled all around the rock pools, collecting even more shells.. Mr OF finding the smallest ones he could for small runner in training..
Sitting on the very edge of some rocks, jutting out to the sea.. I remembered days when I sat here... I was on the IC waiting for MRI results on a knee injury...as an injury couch it was splendid!
Lots of photograph opportunities here.. sea anemones... deep scarlet- fronded jewels in the hidden pool treasure chests... limpet shelled and snail inhabited.... a world in a world...I took so many shots, until Mr OF mentioned lunch..
Few things rival the al fresco meal. Chilled and nutritious... we ate hungrily and heartily... I think if I lived here, I would put weight on faster … the air gives you a real appetite! Lunch eaten... we dozed a little... eyes half-closed under our wide brimmed hats... awake , yet not... aware but not attentive... until up again and another wander... I wonder how many steps I got in... Another quick dip a little later, then time to pack up and attempt the ascent.
It went well.. with a few stops for J to rest a tad, but we made the top and another leisurely stroll back to the car.
Days and walks like this, are ones for the memory jar... to be taken down from the shelf of the mind , on a cold winter's day. To be remembered and talked about; photographs to be studied and the warmth of the sunshine and the joy in our hearts, enough to thaw out, any winter blues.
Oldfloss x
PS
I resisted popping in any skinny dipping shots ! 
x
walkinng is addictive!
