amusements

Even with it's brightly coloured sign, Geoff's Amusements doesn't look particularly enticing at the moment. The out of date posters and piles of junk are a clear sign of winter closure, and the sand-bags in front of the doors are a sign of the location.

The wind howls along the promenade in front and pedestrians walk quickly, hunched against the cold. Yet in a few short months, at Easter, Geoff's will open again for the trade from the Brynowen Caravan Park just behind, and for any early visitors. The population of Borth in winter is just 950, and only 1 in 3 houses are permanently lived in. In summer it both hustles and bustles, but summer seems a long way off at the moment.

Whatever the weather, last night was a night of great warmth and pleasure. Helen and I had a simply gorgeous meal at our local curry house just down the road, and then went to “Y Sesh” at the local pub. “Y Sesh” is a bit of Wenglish (I just made up that word!) - Sesiwn Fach (little session) would be correct Welsh. Basically, people took their musical instruments along and we had a good old jam session and sing along around a roaring fire. A couple of guitars, banjo, violin, accordion, harmonica, percussion and some fine singers. Every other person seems to be in a band here. I borrowed a guitar and did several songs and managed to not embarrass myself. It was just a great evening and has banished the winter chills nicely. The next one is in a month.

Cheers, Tom.