"Goa jogging'

It’s definitely ‘joggers delight’ on my beach this morning. I regularly see the ‘odd’ jogger but today there was the full spectrum, from the true dedicated ‘jogged everyday for 20 years’ individual, to those that look as if they might not even reach the end of the beach and only reach their room via the paramedics. So why the sudden influx, no idea, not really bothered….. But the array was awesome:

Focused, hair swept back in a metronome ponytail with perfect pace and expensive trainers, as sleek as a racehorse and the epitome of grace, health and fitness, a rarity really unlike her companion who had obviously thought it was a good idea when it was discussed in the bar the previous evening. You can see it now, ‘Oh I run every morning without fail, it’s what keeps me slim and fit and full of energy’. The new chum thinks……Mmmmm….I can do that…  “So do I. Would not miss it for the world!’. “Come tomorrow then, it will be fun”. The chum thinks …oh shit…So there she was this morning, hair tied back, running a few paces back and wishing she was back in her room. Glowing slightly more than she should and checking out the two silhouettes on the sand and realizing the evidence was plain to see who may have been exaggerating…..

Two overweight mid-fifties men came next, Speedos (of course…it’s a generation thing) and running  to make it look as if they do it every day, they probably did in the 80’s but in 2012 it’s not really a good idea, presumably they checked if the lifeguards were on duty

Then there was the Eastern European in black designer swimsuit, turban, full make up and bare footed to show silver toe nails. Pace did not matter for our jogging Isadora Duncan, what mattered was to be seen….run to fast and people will not see you, run to slow and the ‘look’ does not work .

‘Miss Sharpei’ was very interesting to watch, yes, when people jog, ‘things’ tend to bob up and down, my son when he was younger called them ‘breastages’, but it wasn’t the breastages that you noticed, it was the jowls. Not a flattering look, a scarf under the chin and tied at the top of the head may be an option if she wants to continue and not get sand in her cheeks. 

Just a few of many sights this morning, but I have saved my favourite until last, when she ran her feet did not appear to leave the sand, her legs were def moving but it was unbelievable. Her arms were in full swing, two swings of the arm to one stride with a look of sheer determination. Putting it like this it sounds as if she was running at quite a pace, in fact she just gave the appearance of speed , people were actually passing her at a leisurely walk.   

………………..I know I should not criticize, I don’t jog I don’t do any exercise at all, but perhaps there should be a health warning on all of the beaches: don’t do anything you don’t usually do! The only problem is that it would spoil my entertainment!     

…………………will try and get video proof!

hoorah for being a wrinklie and saving money!

Well I finally got to a place I have wanted to be for a long time….at an age where I can take long holidays in the sun and not have to worry about going back to work or the British winter!

I always wanted to join the ‘Wrinklies’, nothing to do with age of course, more a case of too much sun! I had a passion for sunbathing from the time of the Beach Boys, now, I am a fully paid up member…on every count.

I retired to Goa but didn’t give up work completely, I now work had at getting a tan that will put the locals to shame but not to get too much of a good thing I restrict this to daylight hours only, (actually afternoons and weekends….of course).To keep me busy and at least have something to talk about at the dinner table, I started a website and blog, basically on where to go, where to eat and where to sleep in Goa, this landed me with an invitation for lunch at a small Boutique Hotel near Panjim….and where I suppose this blog really starts……..

A few minutes drive from Panjim (a great place to wander and wonder and small enough not to get lost……) I arrived in front of this beautifully restored Goan house. It has eight rooms, all ensuite and two cottages in the one acre garden. It’s owned by a Brit expat from ‘Up North’ and his Indian wife, (unfortunately I have been out of the UK for many years and not knowing whether the accent was left or right of the Pennines, decided simply not to ask). They describe the accommodation as simple but that’s probably not the word I would use, the rooms are clean, comfortable, and cosy and each has a very smart bathroom bouncy mattress and flat screen TV! The owners know they have a good property, what they don’t understand this is a beautiful ‘escape’ in a peaceful, quiet and idyllic location with beautiful interiors and quality fittings….a rarity in most Hotels here in India. Actually a  Hotel that feels like home, a concept let alone reality that most people would find hard to believe exists just 15km from the hustle and bustle or is it the hassle and bustle of the Baga Beach area.

The house has an eclectic range of antiques and art from all over the world, a very sweet German Shepherd, (don’t worry it’s a dog, not a real German Shepherd), wonderful ‘sit out’ areas and a crystal clear swimming pool…..perfect. It could be anywhere in the world, where it’s sunny of course and has coconut trees and sunshine etc etc…,

We sat in the small open air dining area overlooking the pool and chatted about the house, our  live ‘pre Goa’ and of course the UK and how we are never going back there….

Sorry, getting sidetracked…….happens more and more….

Anyway we were talking about the British winters and I was asked whether people would be interested in staying at this wonderful home for three months at a stretch for just 45000 rupees (that’s just over 500 GBP) per month per room, this  includes breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. I think it’s perfect and with the small bar selling drinks at ‘local bar’ prices, (so a beer is about 70 pence and a large brandy or whiskey for about 50 pence!) could it get more perfect?  

 

For me this represents tremendous value, the owners care about their hotel/home and the comfort and well being of their guests…remember he’s from ‘Up North’ . The idea is that you have a ‘home from home’, escape the British Winter and share quality time with friends in a wonderful atmosphere.

….. and Goa is the perfect introduction to India, it’s a half way house and ideal for those not sure whether they could handle India full on.