CHILDREN
The Whatley’s are out of office this month as they embrace the life of Cornish beach bums. Join Sara, Robin and the kids in… LIFE’S A BEACH
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Children need no more than a beach; sand, sea and ice creams and they are as happy as, well, sandboys. This was our third year making this particular beach our home, and I can see many more to come. Two peninsulas have created an expansive sandy cove complete with rock pools, two rivers and safe swimming and surfing. It’s heaven. We set off each day with buckets and spades, beach balls and many, many snacks. One day we dammed the smaller stream (actually more of a splash), working as a family construction team with Jarvis heaving stones into place and Mia excitedly shouting instructions to us lowly spades. “Faster! The water’s escaping!” said Mia the foreman. “’Eavy,” puffed Jarvis, splashing a small pebble into the pool while trampling across
e had such a wonderful holiday in Cornwall recently, we nearly didn’t come back home. “Go and find a cave we can live in,” I told the children as I settled back with my lunchtime pasty, and off they trotted across the vast expanse of sand to explore the rocks. Ho hum, no luck I’m afraid, only “big scary dark caves.”
If you will sit bare bottomed on the beach, expect a thorough exfoliation experience!
the rest of the sand dam. Oh children, your ‘help’ is priceless. For just a moment the dam held and Mia was amazed we had the power to stop the stream. Then suddenly it gave way and with a gentle whoosh the water trickled out across the sand once more. With screams of delight, both children paddled down the stream until it dispersed into the pillowy hillocks
of sand and dips of warmed sea puddles, which stretched all the way out to the white tipped waves breaking far in the distance. After all that excitement it was definitely time for ice cream. The little hole-in-the-wall parlour right on the sand was our daily pit stop and served the most delicious, creamy cones and tubs imaginable. Jarvis learned many new words on holiday, but one of the most important was, of course, “I cream!” always said
June 2022 | SUSSEX LIVING 65
June22 The Wonder Years.indd 65
25/05/2022 15:57
