... 'they' being Jeff, Tricia, Heather, Addie and Lauchy (in age descending order)... and for purposes of simplicity and brevity, I shall henceforth refer to the group as the 'J-gang' -- the only collective term I have come up with until a better moniker comes to mind.
Jeff is the second of my five children, four of whom live in Canada. Tricia (Trish) is his lovely wife and mother of their children: Heather (9), Adelaide (Addie 7), and Lauchlan (Lauchy 5).
On Thursday they arrived in Weston by train, and we met at the entrance to the pier. Still, it feels surreal to greet the J-gang on my home turf, but there they were, their take-away meals of fish and chips, hot dogs and chocolate crepes in hand.
Since the tide was out we headed for Marine Lake, an enclosed swimming area left full by the receding tide. The little beach was crowded and rather overwhelming for the children, but we found a spot to sit on the concrete steps from where they could jump into the shallow waters. I explained that although the water didn't look all that appetising, it was simply a result of the channel mud mixed with sea water.
'When you travel further afield,' I explained, 'to Devon or Cornwall, you will find the sea a lovely blue, even turquoise colour. They call the south Devon coast the English Riviera!'
The children enjoyed their cool dip, but Lauchy cried when the salty water irritated a cut on his finger. I suggested he wash it off with fresh water from his drinking bottle and then apply a band aid, but soon he forgot about his injury.
Next we spent a couple of hours on the pier, which I suspect is a lot larger, busier and noisier than they had expected it to be. They played on the two-penny slot machines, and when I challenged Lauchy to a game of air hockey, he beat me hands down!
When the children were played out and their tubs of tuppences almost empty, we regrouped outside on the pier's open deck, found seats in the shade and enjoyed the cool breeze and an ice cream. By then the tide was fully in, and again the children swam, this time in the open sea and gentle waves.
From there we took a ride on the Ferris wheel. Trish found the prospect of sitting in an open metal bucket high above the ground quite daunting and was somewhat relieved to find out that we six were allowed to ride together. And I would be fibbing if I said I didn't have some initial reservations about the safety of our group. Thankfully the children sat quite still as we teetered at the highest point of the ride while more passengers filled the other buckets. Around we circled five times, and then the ride was over.
On the walk to the train station, we detoured down a lane to see the tennis club at which I'm a member. I'll take the J-gang there on a subsequent visit for a bash; I have plenty of racquets stored in the Prince tennis bag Jeff used as a teenager.
Jeff is the second of my five children, four of whom live in Canada. Tricia (Trish) is his lovely wife and mother of their children: Heather (9), Adelaide (Addie 7), and Lauchlan (Lauchy 5).
On Thursday they arrived in Weston by train, and we met at the entrance to the pier. Still, it feels surreal to greet the J-gang on my home turf, but there they were, their take-away meals of fish and chips, hot dogs and chocolate crepes in hand.
Since the tide was out we headed for Marine Lake, an enclosed swimming area left full by the receding tide. The little beach was crowded and rather overwhelming for the children, but we found a spot to sit on the concrete steps from where they could jump into the shallow waters. I explained that although the water didn't look all that appetising, it was simply a result of the channel mud mixed with sea water.
'When you travel further afield,' I explained, 'to Devon or Cornwall, you will find the sea a lovely blue, even turquoise colour. They call the south Devon coast the English Riviera!'
The children enjoyed their cool dip, but Lauchy cried when the salty water irritated a cut on his finger. I suggested he wash it off with fresh water from his drinking bottle and then apply a band aid, but soon he forgot about his injury.
Next we spent a couple of hours on the pier, which I suspect is a lot larger, busier and noisier than they had expected it to be. They played on the two-penny slot machines, and when I challenged Lauchy to a game of air hockey, he beat me hands down!
When the children were played out and their tubs of tuppences almost empty, we regrouped outside on the pier's open deck, found seats in the shade and enjoyed the cool breeze and an ice cream. By then the tide was fully in, and again the children swam, this time in the open sea and gentle waves.
From there we took a ride on the Ferris wheel. Trish found the prospect of sitting in an open metal bucket high above the ground quite daunting and was somewhat relieved to find out that we six were allowed to ride together. And I would be fibbing if I said I didn't have some initial reservations about the safety of our group. Thankfully the children sat quite still as we teetered at the highest point of the ride while more passengers filled the other buckets. Around we circled five times, and then the ride was over.
On the walk to the train station, we detoured down a lane to see the tennis club at which I'm a member. I'll take the J-gang there on a subsequent visit for a bash; I have plenty of racquets stored in the Prince tennis bag Jeff used as a teenager.
Ah ha! So I wasn't the only nervous one!
ReplyDeleteWe look forward to going back again, maybe on a cloudy day when it is not as busy! But it was a wonderful day for all and lovely that the kids got to spend the day with grandma! :)
I, too, had my toes crossed the first time we crested the Ferris wheel. But it got easier, and the views were cool.
ReplyDeleteAnother fun -- if hot, and noisy -- day. Thanks mum!