Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Beach paraphanalia

Remember when you were younger and you went to the beach with your parents? What did you take? A towel, a picnic (of course) and a windbreak. Oh and maybe a football, a frisbee and a cricket set.

Wind forward a few years and look at today's beach family. Here they come, body boards, wetsuits, windbeaks x5 (to make a full on shelter), wind tent thingie, picnic, foldable chairs, full beach games kit (including, petang, that funny velcro throwing game and stick and hoop), buckets and spades, fishing net, crabbing lines, sea fishing rods, inflatable goals for football, football, aerobie, kite surfer, surf board, small RIB, canoes, spare dingy in case no one fancies the RIB...

...Bantham Sands is a sight to behold on a windy August day, it's more like a small tented village than a beach.


21 comments:

Paul said...

The thing that impressed me in France was the minimalist approach office workers took to going to the beach.

At 4 in the afternoon the women would turn up in their work clothes, strip off (they had their bikini's on underneath) rub in some sublock and lay back on a towel that was concealed in the bag they were carrying.

An hour later the men arrive with footballs, volleyballs, frisbees, american footballs.

See, men really are from Nike and women from venus.

Anonymous said...

You're so right, Six, although OH always refused point blank to take mountains of stuff down to the beach,

Crispin Heath said...

Paul, how come Europeans are just intrinsically cooler than us Brits. no amount of Kite surfing is going to do it.

Crispin Heath said...

C is that you Curmy?

Anonymous said...

Yes, it is Six, I mistyped my name !
How are Eben and Louis, ? thiving I hope. Did you all enjoy your holiday ?

Paul said...

I don't know Six, perhaps its an attitude of mind - all I know is that everyday of the two week holiday I would see at least half a dozen women who left me speechless because of their simple understated style, glamour and I have to say it, sex appeal.

There's not much stylish, glamourous or sexy about a thermos flask and a cold sausage roll I'm afraid.

Crispin Heath said...

They are thriving thank you Curmy. Louis is sitting up now. He's still the most laid back child in the world. Eben's starting preschool in 3 weeks which he's terribly excited about and far less laid back about.

Anonymous said...

Six,just as well Louis is laid back, . I'd never have survived if both of mine had shared the personality of my youngest (yikes)
I'm sure pre-school will do Eben the power of good, it'll get rid of some of his energy !
Tell your wife not to be surprised if he goes to sleep on the sofa when he gets home, it usually exhausts them !

Gavin Corder said...

By the way, you have found the image you were seeking!

So much better than sacha or freddie!

Anonymous said...

Having read your postings on 5live mssge boards, I did wonder what someone with so little to say there (that wasn`t the usual wishy washy pc populist metrosexual claptrap) would write a blog about. I am somewhat saddened that the joys/responsibilities of fatherhood would have gave you good reason NOT to devote your time to such a poor blog.This sort of fare could be bettered by reading a schoolboy`s discarded jotter. Glad all your co-contributers from 5live boards enjoy your revelations as much as you probably enjoy the comfortable monotony of theirs. Still enjoyed this mutual appreciation club.

Crispin Heath said...

Nice to see you took the time to search me out and post a little bit of vitiol. And anonymously as well, very brave of you soldier. Well at least I inspired you to look me up and invisibly abuse me. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

That was a very cowardly and unpleasant post from Anonymous. If you weren't so tolerant, Six, you'd have removed it.
Why do they bother to post here at all ? I love your blog, keep up the good work, Six

Crispin Heath said...

They're entitled to their opinion, shame it's anonymous, but hey. What's the point of everone liking what you're doing.

Span Ows said...

hahahaha...that is typical! There are a few that would fit the bill, I've had a run-in with at least 3 in the last few days (on the MB, not on my blog)...as you say they've made the effort so you have really upset someone...how exciting!!!

Anyway...WHY has nobody mentioned a BUCKET AND SPADE!!!!!...and a little net for the rock pools...these were the only reasons I went to the beach!!!

Crispin Heath said...

That's what slightly perplexes me. The only persn I've lost my rag with recently is Parker, but I really don't think it's him. My own brand of wishy washy, non-commital, sit on the fence liberalism must have been so difficult for someone to really get their teeth in to that they felt having a pop at my views on beach etiquette was the only way to vent their spleen. I didn't realise you could upset people - so much they look you up - by being mildly reasonable.

Span Ows said...

No, Parker would be funny about slagging you off, anonymous sounds like he (she...Charlotte?/Wendy?) meant it.

Now please say Yes Span you are absolutely right re bucket/spade/net etc...

Paul said...

We used to go to the beach to catch crabs, now a night in Falaraki has the same effect.

Linda Mason said...

Blimey, that anon comment was uncalled for. Watch out Six, you're part of a 'clique' and they don't like cliques!

Hand on heart I always find your blog entries interesting. You have a nice knack of writing about things that are of interest to everyone and that are enjoyable to read because of your entertaining style.

I've added part 5 to my blog seeing as you asked so nicely.

PS When do I get my tenner?

Anonymous said...

Six, if it's not Wendy or Charlotte, it could be coolman, or one of the other nutters that periodically turn up on the station board and accuse us all of being a clique, even if we have diametrically opposite views about things.

Span Ows said...

Six, I noticed something this morning. There is a poster called SWL, who has said that Parker is always in a minority...it could be that someone has mistaken YOU (SYL) for SWL...(blush) I know I just did!

Anonymous said...

I'd imagine that this flamer is one of the boxing crowd - proably the one who got banned for ranting at you a while back and having a go at your late mother, or possibly Quinn.


Happened to me a while back - I ended up getting all sorts of really nasty emails and it put me off blogging for some while. Had to remove several threads as they were so completely spammed with hate mate. Heigh ho.