Family,Outings,Travel

Baby starfish and bodyboarding

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We’ve been lucky enough to get away for a second family holiday this year, as I am still on maternity leave for just a few more weeks and making the most of the rest of the summer school hols. I think seeing as we missed out on a summer break last year we kind of deserve it, and hey we only travelled a few hours from home this time so it really was a breeze compared to the day-long car journey down to Devon a few weeks ago!

We went on a whistle-stop tour, starting at a friend’s caravan near Abersoch on the Llyn Peninsula and ending in a cottage near Newborough on Anglesey. Abersoch holds a special place in my heart as not only was it the first place we holidayed with our first born when he was three months old, it was also the scene of so many of my own family holidays when I was a child. I know my sister and I have very fond memories of the Welsh rain beating down on our canvas roof, as our dad crept out of the tent at night, mallet in hand, hitting in the tent pegs again just to make sure the whole thing didn’t blow away! Those holidays also make me think of my mum’s collection of mohair cardigans, which, reserved for the coldness of camping, were knitted by my grandma, massively oversized and came in 80s hues of bright pink and blue.

Back to our mini break, and the highlight for me had to be getting in the sea on my son’s bodyboard when most sensible people were sitting on the beach behind windbreaks, in coats, nursing cups of tea. Walking down the hill to Whistling Sands (our favourite beach on the Llyn Peninsula), first born was wearing his wetsuit and clutching a brand new bodyboard. I must admit, the weather was forecast to be a hell of a lot better than it was and myself, his dad and baby gal were all dressed in shorts and t-shirts despite the wind blowing us halfway down the hill and spitting us out on the sand below. To cut a long story short, we couldn’t talk him out of bodyboarding, so I had to get into my swimsuit and join him in the sea. Sans wetsuit, I was cast more than a few sympathetic glances, but once in I was up for giving it a go. Even my son had second thoughts when he was the high waves, but after a few minutes’ paddling, I just thought what the hell grabbed the board and gave it a go. It was amazing! I hardly carried it off like a surf chick, but I was in, riding those waves and freezing my a**e off!

It was one of those times when I thought, do you know what, I need to show my son how to just give things a shot, even if I’m going to be rubbish at it and make a total fool of myself. He was pretty quiet afterwards, husband joked I’d shown him up by using his little board first, but I keep telling him, there’s still a few weeks of summer left for second thoughts…

Here are a few of our photos, cutest ever has to be the baby starfish found on Abersoch beach.

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15 Comments

  • Reply
    Victoria
    August 17, 2014 at 11:13 pm

    Baby starfish Is cute indeed, seems like you had a lovely break)

  • Reply
    Janet Houston
    August 18, 2014 at 8:49 pm

    Brings back happy memories of Abersoch! Must admit the oversized mohair cardies knitted by Grandma Eileen were a bit of a family joke but remember the bright pink one being a cosy favourite that was a much appreciated on cooler camping hols!
    Love the holiday pics by the way! We’ll done you for braving the waves on the bodyboard!!
    Love, Mum xx

  • Reply
    Paul Burnell
    August 19, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    Actually the coldest place to swim is the North Sea off Bamburgh Castle – thinkt hey filme dosme Harry Potter stuff nearby

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      August 20, 2014 at 1:33 pm

      Paul, I don’t think I could brave it up there unless there was a heat wave! last time I was on Bamburgh beach I had my rain mac on! X

  • Reply
    Becky Cowley
    August 19, 2014 at 10:52 pm

    Very Cute Starfish! Well done you for getting in there when it was cold, looks like you had a great time despite the wind #WHWH

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      August 20, 2014 at 1:32 pm

      Thanks Becky, it was lots of fun! X Julia

  • Reply
    Nortonmum
    August 22, 2014 at 8:51 am

    We’ve just got back from Snowdonia which was lovely but I want to go to Abersoch next, Anglesey is our most favourite place though. Looks like you had a fab time #LoveWales.

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      August 22, 2014 at 9:53 am

      So do I! You can’t go wrong if the weather is ok… And if it isn’t, you can just embrace its wild charm!!

  • Reply
    Colette B
    August 22, 2014 at 6:47 pm

    WOW the starfish is IMMENSE! I gasped at that photo! x

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      August 22, 2014 at 10:27 pm

      It’s cute isn’t it! Found in a rock pool. My son clearly hasn’t inherited my poor eyesight yet! X

  • Reply
    Pippa Ainsworth
    August 26, 2014 at 10:50 am

    Brrrr. Those photos máde me feel cold just looking at them! I love West Wales and Anglesey and have had some lovely holidays there over the years. Thanks for sharing yours with #WHWH

  • Reply
    ghostwritermummy
    August 27, 2014 at 7:41 am

    My preschooler can’t stop looking at the photo of the baby starfish! How adorable! Sounds like you had a lovely break, and I don’t blame you for making the most of your mat leave x x x x

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      August 27, 2014 at 8:22 am

      That’s so sweet! I have to say it was a good find! Xxx

  • Reply
    Cakesphotoslife (Angie)
    August 27, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    Love the photos and the memories are vivid also for me but in the Lakes x

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      August 27, 2014 at 8:45 pm

      Thank you! X

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