Catching up with Christmas

Son No. 2, who previously worked in Afghanistan, now works in Syria and came home to Cornwall for 3 weeks R & R; he and his wife booked a house in Crantock for the first week where we  (myself, son, daughter-in-law and teenage grandson) all spent a wonderfully relaxing holiday in the week leading up to Christmas.  

The house was very spacious and comfortable and had a lovely decorated Christmas tree in the lounge at the side of that most essential of holiday comforts - the log-burner. 

Best of all it had the most wonderful view from the front windows; it was mesmerising to sit looking out over Crantock Bay to watch the ever-changing sea.

In the evenings, we took Benji down to Crantock beach to enjoy a chase around before settling down for the evening.  We wrapped up well because it was quite nippy, only to be expected in the week before Christmas, but very enjoyable.

The biggest surprise was how steep the sand dunes were, compared to last summer, when it was a relatively easy climb from the car park with all the beach paraphernalia and a scramble down the other side.  Not any more - grappling hooks are needed!!! 

I was most relieved to find, a few hundred yards along the beach, another exit, completely flat, which leads directly into the car park.  My choice of access on future visits, methinks.

Across the River Gannel, the lights of the houses built on the hillside of Pentire Point East.  Lovely houses with lots of glass, but we agreed that we would prefer to be facing out to sea rather than overlooking the beach! 

 We couldn't resist a wander around Crantock village as it seemed that every building had Christmas decorations; not just businesses but private houses as well - and trees, fences, everything!  Those lights put many a town centre to shame.

One memorable evening we trundled down to one of the village pubs where it seemed that all the locals (and their dogs) congregated in one small room. We bought our drinks and found ourselves sitting in the adjoining room, a bit like spare things at a wedding. My grandson was glancing at a pool table; nobody near it, so he asked his Dad if he fancied a game.  He did -  so we moved across to watch the fun.  Somehow, I was coaxed into playing the winner - HA!!!!  Never been on a pool table in my life, but Hey Ho . . . 

Well, it was warm work, and I think I partook of the white wine rather a lot - but the more I drank, the more my game improved - or so it seemed to me.  I was thoroughly enjoying myself and the wine kept flowing.  Oh what fun! I'm pretty sure I invented some rare but excellent ways of supporting the cue but my son, daughter-in-law and grandson were trying to teach me the 'proper' methods.  There's no fun in 'proper', is there?

Anyway, my memory fades a bit after the pool games and I don't remember much about heading back to our holiday home - or even going to bed.  But I do remember it was a Good Evening!