Yesterday we went on our annual trip to Sandilands. Not quite the usual numbers as Helen had to take Glen for a hospital appointment, Jake and Josh are busy with harvest, and Becky's children are respectively at school and work at home in Lancashire. (They grow up so fast!) Still there were five children in the 10 to 14 range and Tilly aged just one. When we were walking Tilly along the prom with Issy and Inge doing 'one, two, three, swing!' as they walked it didn't seem any time at all since the teenagers with us were babies of Tilly's age doing the same thing.
As well as being our annual Sandilands day, it was the fourth day of Inge's week long 40th birthday celebrations. On Sunday she had a day at the races where John (her ex-husband) won several hundred pounds, Jessie discovered lobster and a good time was had by all who enjoy that kind of thing. I was not of their number. I would have enjoyed the lobster, but have disapproved of almost everything else.
Monday was the birthday itself, and Tuesday was the day Inge was supposed to be going on a picnic with us, but actually did the washing and packing for Thursday (when they go off for a long weekend in Scotland) while I took her boys off her hands. (see yesterday's blog)
Wednesday: birthday lunch and tea in Issy's chalet at Sandilands. Seafood platter and very chocolatey chocolate cake.
On somebody else's blog I mentioned the lovely clean, sandy beaches of the Lincolnshire coast: this is Sandilands on the last day of the school holidays - warm, much sunnier than it appears in the photos which have turned out rather dark, and almost deserted.
I was standing in the sea about three hours after high tide looking back to the shore. This next photo shows the quality of the sand. Jess is not prostrating herself before Joel, but is actually starting to dig a pit in which to bury him.
Finally Esther (formerly the youngest girl) with Tilly (also Joe), and Jenni doing what teenagers do best when not actively engaged in the art of stropping.
There were photos taken of the birthday party, but not by me. I'll try and get hold copies.
lizdavies
That's the first time I've seen any of those dreadful plastic clogs being put to their only rightful use, ie being worn as beach and paddling shoes. The number of middle aged folk who really ought to know better, that I've seen wearing them around towns as acceptable ordinary footwear, just goes to show that far too many people have no idea how they look to others!