Monday 15 October 2007

Memories are made of this...

Today I feel a little happier...when the chips are down a little bit of beach life always cheers me up. So on Friday night I sat on the computer and surfed for hours looking for some place to say, one hotel booked later and up early on Saturday off we went in the rain, armed with some knitting, yarn, crochet hook and magazine for Mom with spade and wellies for the children... You have to laugh at life sometimes, this was my big plan, blow the expense, we need some quality time together...on the way the camper van front window got hit by a stone...big crack! window now needs replacing, we missed our usual stop to buy a little fabric (that would have cheered me up no end) and a park for the children to run off some of that energy from sitting in the camper for a couple of hours...no we ended up at, dare I say it...a not very pleasant fast food joint!!! I guess the kids thought it great...personally YUK YUK YUK!!! On arrival at the the hotel instead of luxury we were greeted by a dodgy receptionist who literally threw us in to our room, well apartment, it had three bedrooms...sounds great...not when it was mouldy and damp with a boiler that I would not trust the children sleeping in the same room as...So we resorted to yet more fast food...pizza, wrapped up in duvets to keep warm and watched a film, I personally with a painful tum from all that junk.
However the next day we awoke to beautiful sunshine, one thing about the hotel is you could not fault the location, stunning, pleased to report that the breakfast was great and on meeting the rather eccentric owners it became clear that the rather roughness to the place was a result of pure eccentricity, which I guess had its charms. OK the good weather made everything feel much better and with some decent food to sustain us we set off to the beach...
The weather was amazing the beach empty and the water was clear...As the boys frolicked in the gentle waves I set up camp, blanket, something to nibble on, a flask of hot chocolate and the essential (for the children you understand) marshmallows...I got out the crochet hook and flicked through a new magazine I had picked up on the way. Can you imagine my glee when I turned the page to see the beautiful, cheeky characters that our very own Little Cotton Rabbits makes. Even my youngest got excited as he recognised the rabbit to being like Mommy's bunny (that he is not allowed to play with because it is MOMMY's) and he giggles at the little Monkey and shouted 'I want one PLEEEEESE! How exciting, Julie you must be very pleased its a great write up on you and you look lovely!
What more can I say, a day at the beach just grounds me, I feel re-energised and uplifted, what is it about this feeling? Its like a drug and I just can not get enough of it, the day was just so special. The boys had such a good time, we all got rather wet and in the end despite the autumnal chill in the air the boys still managed to strip off and throw themselves into the water...
A change of clothes later and a little food was required so we sat out in a restaurant, again despite the chill, just to enjoy those last moments of 'beach time' and we ate a great freshly cooked meal with loads of salad and a warming mug of tea as we watched the brightness turn to grey as the evening started to draw in. Home again and Monday morning, the rush of getting the kids to school, packed lunches and homework bags, the chores getting done and the weekly shop planned for this afternoon...it feels like a long time ago now, but a mere twenty four hours ago I lay on the sand cuddling my boys, we jumped the waves and beach combed for pebbles and shells, the last warm rays of the suns brought a tint to our cheeks and the love and giggles will remain in my heart. Ah memories are made of this...

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Don't forget Suzie - it will soon be half term and you'll have a whole week to do trips out then :o)

Anonymous said...

If I went to the beach now, I'd freeze! I'm glad you had a lovely time, despite the initial troubles.

Toni said...

Your weekend sounds lovely, aside from the fast food that upset your tum! The ocean in those pictures looks so incredibly serene. Very unlike the ocean I live next to!

Monkee Maker said...

Glad that after the somewhat disappointing start you had a great weekend :)

The pictures are, as always, lovely.

Locket Pocket said...

Your weekend seems to have been lovely for all the right reasons - even if parts of it were "difficult"! Glad you had a good time! Lucy x

(Angie) Norththreads: said...

Looks like a great time anyways!!!!

dottycookie said...

It all looks lovely! Sorry about the various mishaps but it sounds like the beach time made up for at least some of them ...

Anonymous said...

Oh what a fab thing to do on the spur of the moment. so glad that it made things so much better for you....

Carol said...

A really lovely read today.
thank you.
Carol x

Ruth said...

Your weekend sounds wonderful and I am so glad you were lucky with the weather!

pinkgreen said...

I'm looking at the rain out of my window and I am wishing I could have a weekend at the beach in the sunshine. Glad you had a good time, despite the dodgy start.
Cathy X

Mrs Moog said...

There's nothing quite like the beach for recharging your batteries is there? The smell of the sea air and the sound of the waves really feeds the soul. Lovely photos xxx

julie said...

Sounds like a wonderful time on the beach Suzie. I'm really glad I was there too although I'd much rather have been there in person sharing your blanket and hot choc, enjoying the view and the sound of the sea and giggles! Glad it gave you a boost to be able to get away. I hope this week is a good one and that you and your boys have a great half term.

Sarah said...

Oh I agree so much that the beach is a grounding, wonderful place - great choice.

Tracy x said...

what a weekend!
great pics as always x
tracy x

Anonymous said...

I was happy to read that your weekend turned out to be enjoyable after all! Your photos are lovely!

julia said...

He's (or is it she??) arrived!! What a little cutie and the fabric is absolutely delicious. Thank-you so much!
Thanks for your lovely comments on my last post and I'm glad you had such a great time at the beach.
You can be assured that I'll be keeping up with all your news, you have a fond place in my blogging heart beacsue you were the first person to leave a comment!
See you soon
Julia x

weirdbunny said...

This is a wonderful time of year to go to the beach. The weather is still good with the help of wollie jumpers and blankets, along with flasks of hot drinks. Best of all there's no crowds of people, and with just enough breeze to make you feel fit and health with sea air, lucky you !

Soo said...

sounds like a wonderful weekend....your pictures are just beautiful!!!

French Knots said...

The sea is so healing, the smell, sound of the waves and peace all make me feel better too.
Glad you made some happy memories.x
French Knots