It's already here, the new year. Now the race of days has begun, less than 360 days until the new year after this new year... and so on, as long as we can carry on.
The first week of each year brings me another year to add to my age. It's both good and bad. It brings both joy but also sadness, nostalgia...I think this is more true for those who are my age and have their backs bent by the weight of the years gathered, but not only that. And an improper posture when I sat in the chair, starting with school. Everyone told me "Sit up straight, keep your back straight", but I didn't get it, and now... I look more to the ground than to the sky.
I have reached a rounded age that I set as a target but didn't think I would reach, without having much reason to doubt it.
Being a once-in-a-lifetime age (ha, ha...), my best friends treated me for a few days in a swanky hotel... by the sea! I love the sea dearly, a love so great that I've managed to crush my wife's love of the mountains, but I've never been in winter to see it. Perhaps our friends thought I was old enough now to support the sight...
I ended last year with a post in Weekend Experiences about the past year, I think it's only natural to start the new year with a post in the same community... for continuity!
"What weekend activities are you getting involved with this weekend and why?"
Thanks, 
I have to say at the outset that I don't have to go to work anymore, so the end of the New Year's holiday wasn't as awful as it used to be, kind of like Monday, but much harder.
It was a very pleasant start to the year, made especially so that I won't be able to forget it, just as I won't forget turning 70!
So, what activities did we have at the beginning of the year, this first weekend of the year?
It was an extraordinary and unexpected start to the year, in the sense of a surprise. It would be wonderful if the whole year was still like the beginning, but I know that this cannot be true. I'm glad for what I got and want to repeat the experience as soon as possible.
To start the weekend looking for the sunrise from the sea...
... and catch him!
To go back to my hotel...
...for a few hours at the pool, for swimming. Highly recommended by my doctor for my bad back.
Then walks by the sea.
Very long walks!
The very nice weather, with sunshine and 17 degrees Celsius, brought many people to the promenade and by the sea.
I've seen people happy to be able to sit in the sun, sunbathing in the January sun.
I saw the sea! I missed this autumn getting to the sea and now, with the help of dear friends, this has been fixed.
Everything was above expectations. Even the rather long drive home...
This is how I spent the first weekend of 2024. That's how I spent counting the 70 years...
I must not forget this weekend is so special for me. With all due apologies, I have to say that this post is made primarily for me and is meant to help me fight against forgetfulness!
It was nice and pleasant. I forgot all the problems that were also pressing on my curvy back. I feel ashamed that it was so good for me this time and maybe some of you had less pleasant days. These special moments have come as a great surprise and I am sure that even those less fortunate now will have their good moments when they least expect it.
I'm still amazed at what happened. Those four days at a good hotel in Bulgaria, Lighthouse Golf & Spa, were not that expensive and I could have bought them myself... but I didn't think so. My friends know my passion for the sea and they thought. I think that's great!