Monday, July 02, 2007

Fun Monday #23



Jenni over at Prairie Air is the host of today's Fun Monday and in keeping with the start of the summer holidays for many of our children she has come up with the following challenge:

The topic for this Fun Monday is summer memories. Besides a few of your favorite summer memories, I'd like to hear what summer means to you. Is summer all about fireworks, watermelon seed wars, catching fireflies, days at the lake, family vacations, or the perfect swimsuit? What sights, smells, sounds, tastes, feelings do you associate with summer?

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I have some wonderful memories of summer holidays (besides the ones I'm currently boring you with from France). In recent years I've been lucky enough to visit Portugal, Florida, New York and France but my heart remains in Cornwall as my all time favourite holiday destination. Cornwall is a county in the south west of England and I had my first holiday there at the age of six when we stayed in a lime green and purple caravan with no toilet or fridge and I had the time of my life. The year was 1976, the year of a heatwave (we don't get many of those) and I remember playing on the beach, body board surfing, bbqs on the beach, losing the jack ball from boules, walking the cliffs, seeing the lighthouses, going in a speed boat, eating ice cream (with clotted cream if that's your preference) and fish and chips. We went there for six continuous years but the weather was not always favourable. In 1979 the weather was appalling, this was the year of the fast net race when lives were lost and whilst walking the beach one day my dad saved me from being washed out to sea by an enormous wave. In 1982 we started holidaying in Devon where we played in a tennis tournament.

Years later we went back with our children and a new generation has fallen in love. We do all the things I did as a child as well as cycling on the Camel Trail. The children love Padstow as much as Sam and I did, the fudge and the ice cream not to mention Rick Steins fish and chips and we all agree that as long as the rain stays away Cornwall is our favourite holiday destination and where most of our summer memories lie.

To sum up summer for me is time spent with my family, sand, buckets and spades, fudge, ice cream, fish and chips, late nights, lazy lie ins, reading books, picnics and lots of fun and laughter.

The photos above were taken on our last holiday in Cornwall in 2005 and I hope it's not too long before we go again.

37 comments:

Mr. X said...

We believe we've already covered this!
Just about sums up summer holidays, really...
Excluding the ice creme, boredom and traditional family rows, of course.

Must get round to going to Cornwall again sometime...

Anonymous said...

Good of you to remember the lost jack fom the Boules. There is a boules court [if that is the right word]in Elm Park now. Nice to see what are my favorite memories as well. Love

Marmite Breath said...

Cornwall has my heart too! Devon does too though--both places gave us many happy times. Oooh, and Billing Aquadrome was always good, with the caravan and the not too far away drive (it's in Northamptonshire). Newquay was a good holiday though--fish and chips, scones and clotted cream, swimming and fishing, toast with mushroom toast toppers, buying a crap Wham! pillow that smelled like fish, eating sticks of rock until I was sick of them......need I go on?
Your memories, as you can see, Beccy, have triggered mine aswell. Don't even get me started on Butlins! :) I might cry with happiness.

Anonymous said...

I've always loved Cornwall. It's my favourite part of England, and if it wasn't for the Scrumpy I'd probably have good memories of it.

Yvonne said...

Lovely post! Have never been to Cornwall but am dying to go, have an aunt there and everything...

Molly said...

When planning vacations, there is always a dilemma. Should we go where we have gone and know that we will have a good time, or should we explore someplace new? Cornwall does look like a place that is worth a few visits.

sallywrites said...

I like Cornwall and would love to live there, but if I'm honest, I do like a litle more guaranteed sun with my holiday!

frannie said...

Iloved the photos... and it is so nice that your kids are getting to enjoy the same summers that you did!

Anonymous said...

OK, it sounds unanimous: We all need to meet in Cornwall. Once again, love your collages.

Sam said...

Lets remind Embee about the lost keys of the Jenson Healey whist we are at it.

I feel exactly the same way about Cornwall. I think it is my favourite memory in the world.

Anonymous said...

Your holidays sound really, really fun! Take me with you next time, ok?

AfKaP said...

Cornwall IS beautiful! I love it and I love Wales! (I think its the sheep!)

Anonymous said...

I've heard of vacationing in Cornwall from other people. It must be a very popular summer spot!!!

MommaBoo said...

Enjoyed your memories AND pics.

I think we have similar summer views.

Thanks for sharing!

Happy FunMonday!

Yvonne said...

Beccy, just to let you know that I've tagged you for the '8 Things' meme, not sure if you've done it already or are interested, no worries either way!

Anonymous said...

Isn't that the best, when you get to share your summer memories with your kids first hand and then they can become your kids magic memories.

Anonymous said...

It looks amazing, maybe someday!
Great summer memories, Beccy.

Amy W said...

I think you should take another summer trip across the big pond! And visit all your blogging buddies over here...

Anonymous said...

Cornwall sounds like a great place to Vacation. Love your memory
Enjoyed the photos. Looks like you and your family are really having a great Summer.

Julie said...

Lovely memories! Cornwall looks beautiful - I hope you get back there soon!

Kaytabug said...

I want to go on Holiday! When I do I am heading to Cornwall!

Unknown said...

I can't get past you having lost the jack ball for boules! LOL.

Nice memories;)! Cornwall isn't too far from us ---- we might try it out!

Anonymous said...

one of enidd's best friends lives near padstow, and enidd loves visiting her. cycling down the camel trail, eating scones and clotted cream, walking by the beach.

la bellina mammina said...

I would love to visit Cornwall one day...... Those are really beautiful photos!

Anonymous said...

Surfing down the dune looks outstanding! What wonderful trips you have had - Willi and I have visited the same places for a few years now, however we may venture out the next time around. Nice pics!

Jenni said...

I love these photo collages. I think I'll have to check out Picasa.

I would love to see some of those places you mentioned. Danny and I have been to Scotland, but we didn't get to travel around much outside of the area where we were staying. We did spend one day in London, but we decided it was too busy for us. That's the extent of my foreign travel experiences. I've never even been to Canada or Mexico which is just pitiful and inexcusable.

Pamela said...

every old romantic novel I've read always has a trip to Cornwall.

next time can I come along???

my4kids said...

I liked the photos also. Sounds like some great summer memories on holiday!

Poetess said...

Hi

I discovered your blog today. I love the photo galleries. How do you do that It is very effective

Poetessxxxx

Tonya said...

the photos are great :) I have not been to cornwall yet... at least I don't think so...lol Looks like a great time!

Anonymous said...

that sounds so wonderful!!

Anonymous said...

Sammi I cannot recall exactly about the missing keys although I know I can lose most things, but I am surprised you did not remind me about the window. Love to both.

Debs said...

I love how you posted the pics. Creative post and great job!! :)

Anonymous said...

I have happy memories of Cornwall, too. Lamorna Cove, in a little cottage right on the seafront. We went there in the late 60's when I was small and had a great time.

In 1989 I visited it again with my Husband. It looked so small! We stayed in the Lamorna Cove Hotel and had breakfast at the next table to Michael York!

Luv4Zoe said...

I would love to go there! Nice pics

Debbie said...

Beautiful memories!

ChrisB said...

I will have to post a picture of that awful caravan just to give everyone a laugh. You know how I feel about Cornwall. I am happy there anytime and would love to live there!