Terry Prone: We’re frazzled and dazzled after our day by the sea

From smallies hurtling towards the water the instant they arrive, to a couple embracing at dusk — it really has been a perfect day

On an Irish beach, some things never change — from parents lugging a whole living room of kit to the strand, to the pure unbridled joy of children discovering the seaside for the first time. File picture

No red sky in morning threat as dawn breaks. Rather, the quiet promise of grey light on flat sea. Sounds of swimmers calling to each other, even that early.

No wetsuits because it is already warm. They struggle with the big red balloons to which they’re tethered and laugh. No cold waves to rise above, this morning, in that ritual dance of avoidance until nothing will do but to meet a wave and get every bit of themselves wet.