Childhood #2

    The beach is possibly the best place to be, only when it's hot. As a child, I used to be taken there quite a lot.

   As a family, over packing for the beach seemed to be our talent. We used to pack things like lunch fit for twenty, wind breakers, buckets, spades, towels, books, changes of clothes, fishing rods, bait, hooks... the list is possibly endless. - at one point,  we took a wheel-barrow down..

   As soon as we'd arrive at the beach, I'd jump out the car and run straight onto the stones, then struggle to walk along the odd shaped, sharp rocks, causing the rest of the family to catch up on me and overtake me. The stones were the worst part of the trip, I was never able to walk along the beach without getting stones jumping and hopping into my shoes or coincidently kicking a rock the size of a bowling ball. 

   During the hours that we would spend down the beach, we would take around an hour just applying sun cream, I hated it. Every time my mother would put about a cup full in her hand, clap her hands together and wait for my response. Looking at the sun cream that was causing her hands to go an ghostly white, I'd take small, cautious steps forward. Whilst smiling she would plaster the sun cream over my forehead, cheeks, nose and then the eyes. - Well, eyelids. - The pain would be unbearable, a bit like fire on you eyeballs. - Not that I've ever had that but if I did, I'm sure it would feel something like that.

    After the trauma of the unforgivable sun cream, I'd then race with my cousin towards the water. - It wouldn't really be a good race, it looked more of a leaping battle, something from Swan Lake... maybe a little less extravagant  This was a routine, a way to jump from one visible sand spot to another, and away from the sharp, unforgiving, large rocks that aim to hurt little toes. - 

    Coming to a halt just before we collided with a wave, we'd then jump back because we knew that the water was less than five degrees at its best. The jump back was almost critical. It was a way too avoid the waters ice like temperatures however, our efforts were rewarded with a splash from the wave crashing down on the sand centimetres in front of our feet. The squeals that left our mouths were almost inaudible. Containing out nerves we would turn too face the temperature of the water with courage, we ran. Squealing, laughing and trying to keep our balance whilst face planting waves seemed difficult but it seemed like the most fun to watch and be doing. Adjusting our bodies too the cruel temperatures seemed almost impossible but when you're young, if you're having fun, you don't pay attention too those things. 

    As the end of the day drew nearer and our energy levels were minimum and our stomachs filled to maximum. The sun would set slowly and everything would be plastered in an orange glow. The sky a light pink, the sun a royal orange and the sand, a crisp golden brown. The sights would complete the day and wrap everything up in a bundle to add too the memory box. 

    Anywhere can create memories but being with people who mean a lot too you can create only the special ones. Take everything day by day and hold you hand out too opportunities that may come up to create something special that you can remember for the future. 

~Soph.