Hotties on the Beach

You know what I like most about the beach? It's the fact that it's unashamedly relaxing. There is no pretense on the beach, and unlike the mountains, you have to really work at it to be the oldest/fattest/least fit. I like that, because where the mountains are so demanding, the beach is all about relaxation and fun. I'm not saying that being in the mountains isn't fun - but I've just spent a whole afternoon on the beach, without feeling that I had to do anything at all. Sure, I can slip into the sea and brave the surf, crashing in from the Atlantic, but this is a 5 minute (or longer, if I fancy) commitment. Anything I want to do in the mountains is such a time consuming task. And there's no shortage of excercise, either, Tilting at the waves as they pile in from the Bay of Biscay is no mean task - the waves will try to crush you like a bug, while the undertow will attempt to deposit you in Biarritz. I can't remember the last time I got such a good workout, and had such fun at the same time. Probably the last time I was battered by the surf!

Emma assures me that there were many hotties on the beach, but, perhaps perversely, I was looking at the freak shows! There was a chap who managed to amuse us for quite a lot of the day by starting with a number of intriguing calisthenics, and continuing on at the frites hut with some fascinating gyrations. I loved watching the body-boarders, as they dive under the waves, only to resurface a moment later, still swimming strongly for the west. Then they turn, wait for the most exciting looking wave, and tumble back in again. This is truly a pasttime I can view and think "I can do that!"