This week I am mostly pet
sitting!
Yesterday was too hot to take
the dogs out. They flopped around all day and didn’t seem to mind missing a
walk and I must admit I was happy not to go out with temperatures in the high
twenties.
This morning I got up extra
early and took them out before it got too roaring hot and we stopped by one of
the beach hut taps so they could have a drink. If we go along the Essex Way we take
a bottle of water for them. Dusty does everything at high speed so gets hot and
tired very quickly.
We have an occasional walk towards country instead of beach, but the farmer is harvesting and I have a fear of tractors
and farm machinery which I think is called ochophobia. My husband reckons it’s
a throwback to all those public information films that used to be on when we
were kids showing people having horrendous accidents with farm machinery.
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| Poppy and Dusty |
Today and tomorrow is the
Clacton Air Show, but I don’t think I’ll be going this year. I’ve seen enough
of Clacton for one summer. I always find the pier hot, noisy and crowded, but
the kids don’t seem to mind. And I can always find a quiet spot away from the amusements to have a drink break with one or other of the little people.
 |
| A quiet spot |
I prefer the Ha’penny Pier - no thrills, but a nice place to be.
The area below is known as The Pound and used to be home to our fishing
fleet which was far more substantial than it is today. The Lightship is the LV18, occasional host to Radio Mi Amigo. It's interesting to go aboard for a look round.
 |
| The Pound |
 |
| Lifeboats |
 |
| Fishing boat coming home |
I’ve seen lots of young gulls
this year. I think they are incredibly cute!
And I think there are pigeons nesting under the Ha’penny
pier ticket office. I imagine they like their waterside homes.
 |
| Pigeons under the ticket office |
It’s a lovely little
building. Whenever I look at it, I imagine ladies and gents of old getting
their tickets and waiting to board the paddle steamers. If you’d like to see a
photo of it in those far off days, there is one here.
 |
| Former ticket office |
I made the decision to take
time off from writing while I had the children and I’m going to do the same
when my two granddaughters from away come to stay as from next week. They’ll be
here the following week too which is going to be hard for the four going back
to school, but on the bright side it’ll be much quieter when we go out and about
with all the schools back in business. The parks are going to be a lot less busy!
Not that I want to think
about them all going back to school. I have never liked the summer holidays
coming to an end.
I’ve never had such a long
break from writing before though (probably the reason behind my waffly blog posts).
It’s been a lovely summer –
all those things I had lined up to do on rainy days were never needed - but I’m
certainly not going to complain about that and there’s always half term to look forward to.
The little ticket office is such a charming building, Teresa, and I adore the young gulls with their gorgeous markings. And it's wonderful to see the picture of Dusty and Poppy able to run about together at last. Your grandchildren must be having a glorious summer and the break from writing is well worth it to enjoy all that precious time with them. I've hardly written anything for a few weeks, partly because it's too hot, but also because of making the most of time with my youngest daughter before she starts university next month. We've mostly been mending fences and capturing escaped ponies, but we've enjoyed every moment and being together is all that matters. Wishing you a lovely time with your two granddaughters. xxx
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely little building, Joanna. I just wish I'd taken a more thoughtfully composed photo that didn't include the bins (trust me!).
DeleteOur time is precious isn't it - I'm glad you're enjoying the summer before your youngest goes to university. It's going to be an emotional time for you this September. I hope all goes well xx
Your photo of the ticket office reminded me of the old attractive structures that were common in my childhood. At railway stations, theatres and pier heads when life was orderly and people were dignified and polite towards each other - Britain's bygone days lost in the mists of time.
ReplyDeleteVery different times, but it is nice to look at such places and imagine how it used to be. Although I must say the Ha'penny Pier seems to draw visitors who are quiet and well behaved and apart from the clothing it is almost like a step back in time xx
DeleteReading this reminded me of a man we met on our early walk, a few days ago. He has a 17 month old bearded collie. Poor thing must really be feeling the heat. Doesn't seem possible that the summer hols are nearly spent. We've got our three grandchildren with us for lunch today. Tomorrow they leave for France, on a week's holiday with mum and dad. But as you say, there's always half-term to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteI do feel sorry for dogs I see out in the full heat of the day, Martin. The pavements must burn their poor paws. I was out at 7.30 this morning with Dusty and Poppy and it was very hot even then.
DeleteEnjoy your lunch with your lovely granddaughters and I hope they have a wonderful holiday in France. I used to look forward to the school holidays as a parent, but I think I do even more so now xx
What a lovely post yet again Teresa. I adore all those photos (honestly if you hadn't mentioned it I'd never have noticed the bins - just saw the gorgeous building) Yes time spent doing what you've been doing, building up all those wonderful memories with your grandchildren, is a good reason to have a break from writing. Er - but not too long a break - we certainly don't want a dearth of fabulous Teresa Ashby stories thank you ;-) xxxx
ReplyDeleteAw you are lovely, thank you, Sue xx
Delete:-) xx
DeleteGlad I popped over to such a special blog post. I love old piers, and the Ha'penny one looks so relaxing. I'd be there on a deckchair with a book as well. Enjoy the time with grandchildren, and you deserve a writing break and then you'll have lots of things to write about when you get back to it. Fab to see Dusty with Poppy out and about again. Lots of love, xxxxxxx:)))))
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely for a quiet sit down :-) It feels unreal sometimes to see Dusty running around off the lead after so long - seven months - of keeping him quiet :-) xx
DeleteIf it's any consolation, Teresa, I have also taken time out from writing this summer due to grandchildren commitments. I felt guilty at first and then I thought, 'What's more important?' The writing will always be there but the grandkids grow so fast.
ReplyDeleteOh Wendy you should never feel guilty about spending time with your grandchildren. The time we spend with them is so precious xx
DeleteOdd you mentioning young gulls as I've noticed lots of them on our travels. Wonder if this is an especially good year for them, or it's just coincidence that we've both seen more than usual?
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, Patsy. Not just me that's noticed then. Mind you, you have been getting around a bit :-) xx
DeleteHow lucky you are Teresa, I've just been moaning how bad the weather has been this year. Whenever I've had any real free time and plans to do outdoor stuff it's bucketed down here in the Midlands.
ReplyDeleteLike you I've been away from the writing desk, although I'm back now.
If I had any grandchildren, I'd probably be taking them out here there and everywhere too.
Those piers look interesting. I bet they could tell a story or two...
I can't believe how lucky we've been with the weather here this year, Maria.
DeleteOur little Ha'penny pier has a lovely atmosphere and a real sense of the past. Now I know why my grandad and his mates used to sit down there for so long :-) xx