Beach Volleyball – it’s the taking part that counts

Last week was our first experience of beach volleyball.  We left work a little early, we were down to the beach for 6pm and with no substitutes it was a full-on evening of games, laughs, dives….and learning the rules!

The league is run on a ladder system and depending on how successful you are you move ‘up’ or ‘down’ the nets the following week.  We’d initially been drawn on net 7 (of 8).  I’ve no idea if they realised how bad we were or it was random.  Anyway, we lost the first game 18-5, the second 18-6 (improvement!) and then, wait for it, we won a game!  We were chuffed as anything!  We were feeling confident for the next game but unfortunately the team left early and we missed the opportunity to play them….however that did mean we were listed as winning 18-0!!  Another team failed to show so we clocked a second 18-0!!  So technically we won 3 of 5 games – an impressive start!!

Today we found ourselves jumped straight up to net 3…really not where we deserve to be!  We’d also strengthened our ranks from 4 to 8 people.  There were three people from last week and we’d all really enjoyed playing…how would we feel being substituted?!  Actually, great!  This league is for socialising and we had such a laugh mixing it up, drinking beers (thanks Matthew) and cheering the team on.

Here we are in action;

The full team happily cheering on any game in front of them;

And finally Liz with her ‘Bermuda socks’ as we’ve named them following a lot of diving for balls;

This post is about ‘cheering on’…needless to say we won no games but as team coach for the night, I can honestly say I saw guts, determination and great improvement…I’m proud! 🙂  A resounding 0-5 defeat but I do feel we’ll be back down the beach next week and able to ‘build on our strengths’ and other similar things!

A Bermuda Stay-cation

What with sickness, holidays and unexpected work, last week turned into a CRAZY week, particularly for Toby.  He essentially just worked and slept with no time for anything else.  I did my best to keep him fed and watered, but as I saw how the week was shaping up I decided something else was needed.

My go-to, default answer is normally to go to the spa.  Unfortunately it wasn’t Heather I’d be going going with and when Toby had recovered from the “how much?” he reminded me for just a small amount more we could go to The Reefs for their ‘locals package’.  This involved us checking in at 3pm, having afternoon tea at 4pm, an evening meal, staying overnight and then breakfast in the morning.  In-between all that we could be using the facilities, making use of the private beach and generally relaxing.

And so it was, we booked our first Bermuda Stay-cation!

As you can see, Toby was pretty tired and a little confused.  This is the first thing he did!

Meanwhile, I was checking out the view;

It’s very strange having only driven 10miles from where we live to be pitching up for the night, but I have to say we stepped through the doors and relaxed.  We were on holiday!

First things first, a dip in the pool and a chill in the hot tub to get us in the mood;

It was then time for afternoon tea and to soak up the view.  It wasn’t great weather but we really didn’t care!  We pottered around, as you do when you’re on holiday.  There’s no chores to do or food to cook.  So much time!  And then we rocked up for dins at Royston’s.  It was so nice to be treated the way only top hotels do – “you’re on holiday and I’ll do everything I can to make your stay enjoyable.”  Great service and the best steeak Toby’s had in a while.  Nom nom nom!

Being backgammon fiends now, we were next off to the lounge for a cheeky cocktail and a game or two;

It was only about 11pm but we were tired and nicely sloshed so we headed back to relax on our balcony…..

…..that reminded us of the hot tub so the swimwear went back on and in we popped!  Why not – we were on holiday!  A group of 4 people in their late-50’s walked past and commented on “love’s young dream” or something similar.  They said their goodbyes to one another and the next thing we knew, 2 were back out in just their underwear and with towels round them.  Aparently it was the last day of their holiday and they thought ‘why not?!’  Their swimwear wouldn’t dry in time so underwear it was!  They were a lovely couple and we had a good chat and a laugh until it got to 12 midnight and the bubbles were turned off.  Home time.

Back to the room and into the huge, cloud-like bed.  Oh my, I haven’t slept that well in ages!  Breakfast then down to the beach to enjoy the last few hours of our holiday!