It was one of those muggy, humid days with a resolutely grey sky at the height of a British summer. A light squall of raindrops was speckling the sand but it was nothing to worry about. The temperature was warm and the vista was tremendous.
I was taking a walk along the promenade at Prestatyn's Barkby Beach. It was an invigorating place to recharge with a balmy breeze blowing in off the sea. Despite the soothing surroundings I have to say, though, that the floral tributes to the departed which were tied to the railings did make for a somewhat macabre sight, but I suppose they are a sign that people loved and still love this place.
Read more: Ten Indian restaurants in North Wales on the shortlist of coveted Asian cuisine awards Read more: 'Best kept secret' Welsh village which shows you don't have to travel abroad for beautiful places There was a Mr Whippy ice cream van in the car park selling Screwballs and fruit sauced-topped Volcanos and on another day I might have bought one. I set off along the promenade by Barkley Beach. Perhaps because it was a Monday of mediocre weather, there were fewer people about - dog walkers, daytrippers and a family camping on the shore.
But the beach is expansive, pristine and litter free: There was not so much a fish and chip paper or discarded coffee cup in sight. Indeed I was soon impressed with how this whole area was looked after. Soon I was at the adjoining Prestatyn Central Beach and a sign warned of strong currents.
Lifeguards with a qu.