There was a positive aspect to missing our flight on Monday and arriving on holiday five hours later. We had planned to arrive, have a coffee, unpack, and wander round town, picking up a few supplies, before showering and changing for dinner. Instead we arrived in a town which had endured a five hour electric storm and heavy rain, only the second time it had rained since June. Some of the seafront restaurants had closed for the evening, their al fresco dining made uncomfortable or even unsafe. So we just grabbed some wine and pasta and commented on how muddy it was.
The main promenade is being dug up and relaid here. Reportedly, it was supposed to happen during the winter, and although it paused in August, it continued through the summer.
This is, of course, not good for the sea-front pavement cafés, especially in a recession. They have had to shut completely on certain days, and the dust, noise and lack of vehicular access/parking has made them less attractive to customers - although, frankly, I find the intermittent noise of roadworks preferable to the constant roar of traffic that blights so many sitting-and-eating areas. And the dust of sand and cement, especially so close to the beach, is less unpleasant than petrol/diesel fumes. But we have been deliberately avoiding bars/cafés when the digger or cement mixer is working directly outside.
There was a bit of excitement yesterday when some men came to drill holes n the newly laid paving stones. It turns out they have 'lost' the gas pipes which were laid just before the slabs. They couldn't find them; they might have to dig the slabs up again!
We are on a cul de sac just off the beach road, could hardly be nearer to the beach. That's nice: it means we can go for a swim without worrying about carrying valuables to the beach, without having to change out of swim wear on the beach. Although it does mean that for the first time in several years, and, indeed, probably ever, I have taken to walking through construction sites in a bikini. What is very sad is that the construction workers don't seem to notice.
On Tuesday the beach was very deserted; yesterday it got a lot busier, but the weather turned and those of a more wussy temperament scurried off. We decided to play 'last off the beach'. We nearly didn't make it, because a couple a few yards from us decided to play tennis to keep warm. We eventually outlasted them, and we got inside just as the rain came down. The rain brought a few kids out onto the beach, and I actually saw someone walk past in a Sou' Wester!
Today was hot and calm when we went to swim. After brunch, we went for a walk along the coast, out of the centre of town, round a headland or two to rockier, quieter beaches. It did feel windy; we assumed that it was because they were exposed, but when we returned to the central beach, no one but three teenage lads were in the sea (the red flag for danger was flying) and few were in the sea.
Still, the forecast is set to be clear, sunny, hot and dry!
