Una Hughes, the winner of our Surfing Reunion competition in Strandhill, Co Sligo set off to enjoy her prize with her three friends' earlier this month. The competition, in association with surfholidays.com, asked you to submit 300 words on why you and a group of friends would value a reunion.
While we received lots of entries, Hughes’s memories of a “crazy, frenetic time” working as a teacher in Bahrain in the 1990s with her friends, caught the imaginations of the judges. It was a tale of bombings and refugees, hostages and incredible experiences, and firm friendships forged.
Una, Anne, Jean and Noreen were delighted to set off on their trip, and to spend time together. Hughes describes how they "took the scenic route down to Standhill and laughing and chatting in the car. Upon arrival at Strandhill Lodge and Suites we felt like royalty. Prince Charles, who we missed by one day, didn't even get a look in compared to the way we were treated. The hotel was pristine and tranquil. Everyone in the whole town was so lovely, we felt like celebrities straight away."
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As well as simply enjoying time together, the four women had an array of activities to take part in as part of their prize. First off they visited Voya Seaweed Baths. Hughes says the treatment made the four friends feel 20 years younger and helped them relax into the weekend. This was followed by lunch at Shells Cafe which Hughes says was "Just divine. And we even got a free cookbook."
Dinner that evening was at the Strand Bar, which they say is "Exquisite. The quality of the food was just wonderful." The following evening the four friends had dinner in The Venue Bar and were equally pleased with the food and service, with Hughes describing it as "scrumptious".
The most adventurous aspect of the weekend for the friends was the surf lessons with Strandhill Surf School. "We we terrified beforehand, especially because I'm short sighted. But we headed off in our wetsuits and little boots over the sand dunes. The waves looked enormous, like the ones from the Guinness ad, but in we hopped nonetheless. It was so exhilarating and I am so glad we did it. The funniest bit was walking through the town in our wetsuits in the rain, I told Anne the townspeople probably thought we were professionals. Would I do it again? Yes!"
Most importantly the four friends spent the weekend laughing and reminiscing. "We spent hours over meals and glasses of wine, just chatting. We caught up on each person’s life; the ups and the downs; the joys and the sorrows. Just spending time together, is something that rarely happens in our busy lives."
