Oh, haha! I will never think of you as old. There is way too much life left in you to be. And yes! A roaring fire on the beach! Oh, yes, please! If it is cold, I will take hot chocolate and if it is tropical, a cool ice tea.
Small groups are always nice. I can talk and so can they. A perfect match for fun.
Small groups are better for good discussion, mind you often I am more of a listener than a talker in groups ;)