Bank Holiday Waves

On Friday afternoon I dashed out the office at 3.15pm, ducking under the glass partition where my boss was having a meeting and escaping into the delightful surroundings of East Croydon. I dashed to the station to catch a non-stop train to Brighton.

Arriving home, Jo had bags, surf boards and various other Paraphernalia that we always seem to require on trips away, piled up in the hall. A quick change of clothes the car loaded and we were on the road. Surprisingly for a bank holiday weekend the roads were clear and we arrived at our destination, Woolacombe, North Devon at around 9.30pm.

We checked into the Narracott Hotel a 2 star affair in the centre of town and very close to the beach. We were very hungry and the only place serving food was the 'Rumblin Tum' burger van. One deep fried hot dog later we were heading into The Red Barn for a pint. We supped our Hoegarden's and chatted about the clientele and soon felt sleepy enough to head back to our room. We snuggled up for a good nights rest.

The morning bought sunshine and lovely waves, we headed down to the beach for an early morning run before breakfast which we arrived at looking rather sweaty! We were hoping for a 'help yourself' style breakfast so we could fill up for the day but instead had to make do with fairly meager portions. We lazed about after breakfast before looking around the shops of Woolacombe and having a spot of lunch. After a dip in the paint fumed hotel swimming pool, we headed down for some surf in the afternoon, the waves were coming in fast and it was hard work getting out beyond the breakers. All in all a very satisfying day was rounded up with the 'all inclusive boil in the bag' dinner at the hotel and a bottle of wine in front of the telly. Apparently our room neigbours snored like troopers keeping Jo awake at night but that red wine helped me sleep through the lot.

Next morning, I felt lazy, very lazy I didn't go for a run with Jo and after breakfast suggested we went to Braunton for a shopping trip. Braunton is a lovely town, the largest in England apparently, we pottered round the shops and also looked at properties in Estate Agent windows. Back in Woolacombe we surfed again the waves a little more gentle this time. After dinner we went to the amusement arcade with a bucket full of small change that has accumulated in the bottom of Jo's handbag we had lots of fun and after plying one of those 'grab a soft toy' machines with about a tenner we whooped with delight when we won a cheap Dennis the Menace.

Monday was our last day so after a beach run and a surf at Saunton sands we headed back to Brighton.