Last night I got a text from a friend asking if I fancied joining him for an early morning surf. I hadn’t really considered going out again so soon, given the time of year. My wetsuit and rash vest was still dripping wet, so that made me even less inclined, but the forecast was looking good and with the surf in North Wales, you’ve got to get it while it’s there..

The pain of wriggling into damp kit in the back of a cold van was soon outweighed by some excellent long, mellow waves. There was just Luke and I surfing so we had the whole place to ourselves. This time I also had my hood, not Clare’s so was warmer as well.

To add to the ambiance, a low flying ‘V’ of ducks flew past just a metre or so above the water, then while waiting for the next set of waves, we watched a pod of porpoise go past further out to sea, with black fins arching gracefully as they passed us by.

Our friend Chris got in as I got out. He was on a stand up ‘foil’ board that moved fast around the bay. I watched from the van while brewing a fresh coffee.

With no wind and a temperature in the double figures for the first time in a while, it felt blissful looking out to sea with a coffee in hand. A great start to a day.

Back at The Cottage, I met Clare as she finished her online work and we walked to the village in the hazy sunshine that felt like Spring might be on its way…