Precious times in our special place
An unusual thing has happened. You see, it’s half term but as my youngest is now 18 and trustworthy (I think!), it gave my wife Sarah and I the chance to go away for the week on our own. And to one of our favourite holiday places in Great Britain: Woolacombe Bay in Devon.
Not only does the bay have one of the best three miles of sandy beach that I can think of, it also has loads of holiday village charm, evoking great memories for both of us. And we’re creating new ones as I write.
I remember coming here when the children were very young, sandcastles and ice cream, then when they were a bit older, bodyboarding and wave catching, and again, to holiday with friends over New Year after my diagnosis. And now just with my wife, and the 10 mile stunning walk along the beach to Baggy Point then the village of Croyde and back. We love watching other people’s kids and dogs run around the wide beach with such joy – something we all should feel as often as we possibly can.
Every day has had a special start as first thing I have an obligatory 3.3 mile run on my own, often starting in the dark then seeing the sun magically rise behind me over the hills. That time gives Sarah and I a little space with our own thoughts.
Later on, we’ll take a walk, stopping for coffee and rocky road cake then a big pasty as a reward when finished. Visits to other villages, eating bags of chips, dodging showers and sometimes getting soaked on a trail are all part of the fun. The rain does not matter if your head is in the right place.
The best bit of all however was watching the sun going down on Valentine’s Day with someone so important to me. Another great memory.
I hope that you too found the opportunity this week to be with someone special, and if circumstances didn’t allow it, do what you can to put that right as soon as possible.