Give it a lash

IT has become standard practice to mark the arrival of a holiday weekend with all sorts of dire warnings about what might befall us.

We are told to drive safely, we are admonished to be careful on Ireland’s beautiful mountains and in our tinderbox forests.

Anyone contemplating a swim is warned to be careful and not put themselves or others in jeopardy. Anyone who suggests that they might surf one of the wonderful waves that can make our coast such an exciting place is nearly asked to sign a disclaimer in case anything should befall them.