Saturday 17 August 2013

Summer Holidays!

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer holidays! As always they seem to be rushing by too fast and I know for some, they are over already.

It annoys me no end that you see these “Back to school” signs everywhere for everything from stationery to shoes. I well remember coming over all depressed and miserable in the school holidays as soon as the “Trutex” adverts came on telly. Remember those?

They went something like, “Trutex, Trutex – we love Trutex shirts… and blouses!” With all these kids looking deliriously happy to be going back to school. Pah! Best years of your life? I think not.

I asked one of my grandsons what his favourite thing to do in the holidays was, thinking we were in for another trip to Clacton pier perhaps, or the beach and he immediately said “Boat trip!”

So we did.




If you’re ever in the Felixstowe/Shotley/Harwich area and particularly if the weather is good, I recommend a trip on the Foot Ferry. It’s only a short crossing and you can stay until the next crossing (about two hours), come straight back or make your way back by road. They do river tours too.

And if you go to Shotley at the weekend, the HMS Ganges museum is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

It isn’t far from Erwarton which, legend has it, is where Anne Boleyn’s heart was buried in a heart shaped box – not Joe Hill’s Heart Shaped Box which is a completely different kettle of fish - or even completely different heart shaped box.

We went on Wednesday and it couldn’t have been a more perfect day. The water in the harbour was as flat and still as glass and the sun was hot.




We saw this again! It never fails to make me laugh. No, not the tree, look closer. I've posted a picture of this on here before.




There was even time for making sandcastles.



And now it is blowing a gale which is probably why the Fizzlet has been going so crazy! Why do cats always go mad just before the wind blows?

Hardly seems possible she’s gone from this…





To this…



Indy still enjoys going for walks - sometimes! Sometimes he'd rather stay home and snooze the day away on the sofa. He does what he wants to do and that's what it's all about isn't it.





26 comments:

  1. That kitty is almost as long as Indy! Whatever are you feeding her on?!

    I still get those awful 'back to school' feelings any time I've had a holiday from work. Going back is never quite as bad as you expect it to be. (Sometimes it's actually a little worse!)

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    1. I think it's because she pinches Indy's food (while he's off pinching hers)!

      You're right - going back is sometimes worse than you think it's going to be at work too x

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  2. I love the coast and all things maritime. Judging by these great pictures, Teresa, you live in a fascinating area. Don't Indy and Fizz look cosy stretched out on that carpet? Rx

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    1. It is lovely, Rena with so much to see and of course it is always changing. I love watching the comings and goings of the boats big and small, and hearing the lovely gulls :-) x

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  3. Ah, but the smell of new exercise books and fresh conkers....it's not all bad!

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    1. Ah, the smell of new exercise books. That was one good thing about going back which I hadn't thought about. But I suppose by the time they'd dished out the books, the cloud of misery had lifted a little, being back with friends not seen all summer :-) x

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  4. Hi Teresa, I'm land locked on all sides, but I am really enjoying this summer. Its fantastic to be able to get out and about. I don't even mind dodging the showers!

    I do agree with Frances though, I love autumn, the trees are beautiful when they are on the turn...

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    1. It's been lovely hasn't it, Maria. To think how awful the year began with no spring to speak of and then it all turned round so beautifully!

      Not keen on autumn. I don't like the dark evenings. But I do think it is a very beautiful season to look at :-) x

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  5. Lovely photo of the boat on a hot sunny day. It's a combination I always like, sun and boats.

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    1. I just love watching the sun sparkles on the sea, Jenny. I have found them fascinating since I was a small child, like tiny glittering jewels scattered over the water :-) x

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  6. No sooner will the children be back at school, than we will be bombarded with Christmas things - everywhere. Can we hang on to summer for just a little bit longer - please.

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    1. Oh yes, Maggie, let's hang on to it for as long as possible :-) x

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  7. I remember the boat called Damp Pussy. I have a file on my computer with that name with a view to writing a story but I've never come up with anything.

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    1. I'm sure you will, Keith! It's too good not to use! :-) x

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  8. I know how it feels to be at the end of the summer vacation, but honestly, I can't wait. See I'm South African, so no summer vacation here, but since I still have to work with Europe, I want to bash my head in every time someone "disappears" from office on their "short break."

    Siiiiiigh.

    Enjoy the rest of your vacation time, though. ;-)

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  9. I remember that dread of having to go back to school! Glad you had a lovely boat trip, and those photographs of your furry babies are gorgeous. X

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    1. I feel it even now when the littlies have to go back, Mandy! Had to rescue one of the furry babies from outside my bedroom window this morning - guess which one :-) x

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  10. I've not been good at keeping up with all my on-line contacts lately but how lovely to log on here and see your photos of Indy and now not so little Fizz. Glad you're enjoying the summer with your grandchildren. Have been loving school holidays too and therefore not writing (sound of slapped wrist!). Back to work soon!xx

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    1. Now then, none of that wrist slapping, Lydia - if you're not writing, it's all going into your story store in your head :-) Found out yesterday that the summer holidays are two days longer than I thought :-) x

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  11. Hi Teresa

    Lovely photos, especially of Indie and Fizz - what a beautiful cat.

    I used to dread going back to school too, but since working in education I always see September as a chance of a fresh start. Certainly better weather than the New Year in January.

    Linda

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    1. That's a good way to look at it, Linda - a fresh start a different New Year (one with sunshine!) :-) x

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  12. Lovely pics Teresa, and that boat's hilarious. Terry Pratchett got away with it in his Snuff book. He had a barge called the wondrous fanny. Now if I put that in a story I'd be told off. And Charles Dickens had Mr. Dick swiveler or Twizzlers can't remember which in The old Curiosity shop. I think I should be more daring maybe...

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    1. It's wonderful isn't it :-) You can have such FUN with names and why not? :-) x

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  13. I had to enlarge the photo but yes isn't it great - who would call a boat that? LOL! Haven't been to Felixtowe or Clacton for some time but have fond memories of the area and it was lovely to see your photographs. Our childhood trips to the beach were normally taken in Clacton as we have relatives there. Worked at Butlins for a very short time once too as a teenager - oh dear, down memory lane we go! As for back to school, I am with you all the way. It has always depressed me, even with my own children. I also agree that schooldays are not the best years of one's life - if they were there wouldn't be much point going on would there? :-)

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    1. Fancy you working at Butlins! It's never been quite the same in Clacton since they closed.

      I've always hated the end of the holidays. I used to dread my kids going back. But it's very true what you say - if they were the best years, there'd be nothing to look forward to! :-) x

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