Are We There
by Ian Curtress
Making sure
buckets and spades ready to pack. Dad said, that’s
the third time. Well it’s important, don’t
want to waste time having to buy them.
It’s no good saying go to sleep, early start
in the morning. We are thinking of all those
lovely rock pools.
All those castles to build. Some good ideas this
year. Will look great, if they stand up! It’s
the knocking them down that we really like anyway.
Dad pretends he’s annoyed, all part of the
fun.
Can see Mum now. Under the sunshade doing her
crossword.
We notice how relaxed she is and it makes us feel
good. Sis’ and I can be hard work sometimes.
.
Our bedrooms could be tidier and we could put our
clothes away properly. We do know. Will try
harder.
But for now thinking of that breakwater where we
collect mussels at low tide ready to tie on our
lengths of string and go crabbing by the harbour
wall.
So anxious to see the crab we pull up too quickly
and he drops off. Great challenges who is first,
who caught the biggest.
How am I expected to sleep!
Mum checking the house is all locked properly.
Dad’s already done it but “peace of
mind” as she says.
Journey is strange really. We love the drive, we
love the anticipation.
But we just want to smell the magic of the sea,
to hear the waves and seagulls. The laughter of
other children in their own magic world.
Why is it such fun to sleep in strange rooms and
strange beds.
Why is breakfast now a favourite meal. Why does
bacon not smell like that at home. Here we are.
Settled on the beach ready in swimwear and our
first dip.
Dads goes in first. We think that is how it has
to be.
As if checking it’s ok for us to have our
funny five minutes before really trying to swim.
Look back. Mum is watching and smiling. We call
it her seaside smile.
It’s as if someone else has taken all her
chores and cares in order for her to be herself.
Even if it is for just two weeks.
Wish we appreciated it more.
Take too much for granted and will understand
more when we go home. Am I growing up?!
Today it’s rock pools. Dads favourite. We
learn a lot rock pooling.
The excitement of not not knowing what we will
find as we gently move a large stone. Shrimps
dart about, small fish everywhere. Always crabs.
Pick them up carefully have a good look then put
them back. Found a small lobster one year
Why does time go much quicker rock-pooling. We
feel the clock is cheating us. But leave with a
smile. There’ll be tomorrow.
Mum and Dad have a very poor opinion of Amusement
Arcades but understand we should at least see the
attraction and understand the possible dangers of
gambling.
We were allowed one hours visit each week.
Given two pounds each which we could spend on any
machine. If by any chance we won any money it had
to be kept. Not reinvested!
Sis’ is bright, she went in the Arcades with
me but just watched, which meant she had four
pounds to add to her pocket money when we were
home
Dad says she’ll make a good accountant! I
should have charged her for watching.
Mum said I’d make a good entrepreneur. We
have great parents.
The sand castles we made were well thought out
this year and in fact produced a young audience
who sat watching. One little boy wanted to know
when we were going to knock it down.
We let him have first kick. Made his holiday.
So we are home. Was very hard to leave our magic
world but Dad said if we had that all the while
we would take it for granted.
Dad is nearly always right. But not too sure on
this occasion!
I feel sorry for my friend next door. Every year
they go to Spain or similar.
Doesn’t understand what people are saying.
Can’t go out most of the time because it’s
dangerously hot.
When you do go on the vast beaches he says it’s
like looking at rows of chickens roasting!
If there is any activity its young men with a
beach ball obviously showing off.
They are taken on boat trips he said. But hot and
noisy and to see more of the same. I feel
uncomfortable telling him what we have been doing.
There is no substitute for a child for an English
seaside holiday.
It is every child’s right to enjoy once a
year the magic, the shared experience, the
undistllled happiness and shear joy of such a
unique family occasion.
Memories are made which stay with them for life.
You will hear them when they are older, relating
unforgettable moments to their children when
planning their family seaside holidays.
We have a wonderful, varied coastline with
conditions to suit all tastes, ready to provide a
backdrop for out Childrens memories and possible
talents.
Don’t make our weather an excuse. We
experience very few bad days during the holiday
months. Make the most of them.
I remember having paints and a paint book to
paint the the sea on a day when it was too rough
to go out.
The result was so many laughs never forgotten and
also a talent discovered. Use your imagination
and think positively.
It’s when difficulties arise one is forced
to find answers, that’s how discoveries are
made. Think as a child. Can be the most wonderful
time and it passes all to quickly.
Give them their right.
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