What a year 2024 was – a real roller coaster!

I’m sure that’s often said, and I’m sure it’s often true.

Undoubtedly lots of lives in 2024 have been crammed with extreme highs, lows, triumphs and loses. That’s life!

Each of us will have a 2024 tale to tell.

Although there was more to it, two very painful bad back episodes, a tooth infection and a worrying period of dizzy spells played big roles in the year. Despite this, it has been a good year! Good with being balanced, thanks to welcome recoveries, surfing, and learning along the way.

Rather crudely and with an element of slapdash, I’m going to cut & shut some of this years efforts and blog posts together to round 2024 up.

BLOG POST NOVEMBER 15th:

SAND DUNE TO THE SHORELINE

A short journey south, down the east coast of the island was decided upon. A little trip to change things up from the previous two days of luxurious sun lounging on Grandes Playas de Corralejo, a stretch of sand we dubbed 'Euro Beach'. A place with fair priced sun-loungers & parasols, coffee and beer, toilets and beach showers. For a couple of sunny days we were planted there all day, through the tide coming in and going out. (From John Cooper Clark's book 'I Wanna Be Yours') "Luxury, pure unashamed luxury".

The final destination of this journey south was always going to end with more sun lounging, reading and swimming, but we got extra!

Further down the road from the beach we had baked on for the previous two days, was a disorganised assembly of parked cars on either side of the road. A few cars looked haphazardly abandoned, almost ditched off the edge of the tarmac and into the sand - as if a radio news bulletin had announced an impending sand storm or tsunami.

There were enough people milling around, taking selfies, unpacking car boots to suggest certain disaster was not looming, so we joined the line of vehicles, but kept all four tyres on the asphalt.

Sun hats on, we headed out in the direction of the sea – both sure the ocean was just over the gradual sand dune we had started to ascend. Reaching the crest of the dune revealed the panoramic view of more dunes, with the sea way off in the distance. This is what all the people had come to see! What a sight! The excitement had lead several cars to be strewn off the edge of the road and left without correction. The drivers and passengers all keen to see the sand dunes, reminiscent of the vast Sahara Desert, only a short distance away across the sea, almost visible on a clear day. The area of sand big enough to dilute the crowd. Maybe some never made it back!

We traversed the dunes to the shoreline and made camp for the day, using one of the many stone semi circle alcoves set up for privacy and wind break.

Another day of luxury, pure unashamed luxury.

EARLIER IN THE YEAR, BACK IN NEWQUAY

SURFBOARDS 2024

BLOG POST APRIL 19th:

SURFBOARD FACTORY

On the back of a couple of previous surfboard factory posts, here is one more!

At first, taking a few photos around the surfboard factory was just a way to kill a little time as paint dries; what with the slow start to the year n'all. Now, I find myself seeing snippets here and there and reaching for my camera. Maybe it will continue!

That said, yesterday's sunshine won my attention and we all sat outside. It's a 'win, win!' Sunshine and laughter outside, or remaining intrigued with hidden images to find, inside.

MEANWHILE IN NEWQUAY

BLOG POST APRIL 14th:

NEWQUAY - SHIFT UNDERWAY

It's been wet. Yep, spring 2024 has been wet, with plenty of wind at times.

This morning the studio window is open and the serenade of spring birds is filling the air. It is soothing and light. Encouraging an extra 10% of breathing in, welcoming further into the body the delayed change after winter.

There is a cosiness to being dry and safely indoors with the rain, rain & rain pelting the windows, but it makes sense to find joy in the four seasons – especially on this side of winter.

Despite the weather, there are more people around Newquay, it's possible to sense the swell of seasonal workers and visitors arriving; like scouts for the inevitable tsunami of people.

Below are what may well be the last shots from town, before the onslaught. The Gifts & Fishing shop, sure to be open next time out with my camera. The furry bucket hat, replaced by a sun cap; the umbrella substituted with a windbreak or parasol.

It has begun!