Musings

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Forgive me missing my Sunday Musings but the Bank Holiday here in Ireland had me by the seaside in a Log Cabin with friends having a barbecue.  They have a new Jack Russell puppy, Bella who at 16 weeks was the star attraction.  We took her for a long walk on the beach and over cliffs to the little port though we did carry her for a good portion of the way when she got tired.  

Sunday reminded me of my own childhood Summers which were spent in a caravan park in County Wicklow.  To our front lay cliffs and pathways down to a glorious white sandy beach which stretched for miles.  Fantastic sand dunes and a small river were our playing grounds and Jet (my black Doodle) and I would walk for miles.  If I wanted to swim he would swim with me right at my side.   If I played sliding on a tray down the dunes he would sit on that tray with me

.  'The Captain' was a wonderful gentleman who owned a boat and we children would go with him and row up the river.  Each time we came to a low bridge we would all lie down at the bottom of the boat.  Our singing could be heard for miles.  Today a lone man befriending lots of children would be seen as sinister but then it was different.  My Father who was a very safety cautious man who gave us several warnings about what was dangerous (including strangers) loved that man and his wife.  The Captains wife would have a big loaf of fresh bread with copious lashings of homemade strawberry jam for all the weary sailors when they finally came to shore at around 6pm in the evenings.

The Captain ( who got his name from the hat he always wore) taught me to drive in my mothers Renault 5 around the bumpy tracks in the feld.  He drew a picture of a fish swimming and said it was me 'The Cod'!.  Jet sat in the back of the car and I aged 13 drove around the fields, concentrating hard on all the bumpy bits and the gear stick which was in the centre of the dash board.

The next year I made friends with an American girl from Florida.  Her name was Cathy Hickey and her father bred race horses, coming to Ireland every Summer to go to the sales to buy new Irish Thoroughbred stock.   He brought with him from America, his Rolls Royce car and Cathy and I drove it around the bumpy fields for days on end.  When  I think back on those summers I'm reminded of what a wonderful childhood we had and how lucky we were to have the freedom to develop and grow in such  amazing surroundings. 

 

[Becky & Sheeba]

Wonderful story telling of your childhood growing up in Ireland. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This really is a wonderful story of your childhood....and it's exactly how I picture growing up in the Irish countryside.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

AHHHHH! Sounds like a wonderful memory/childhood! I forgive you for missing Sunday because I think you were at a great place spending your free time wisely!! Good for you!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

What a wonderful life and memories!  It is like a story book life you lived!  Lucky, lucky  you!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Great "musing" - one of your best.  Your descriptions are so vivid, I can "see" your summer.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This sounds like a great way to grow up!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

It does sound idyllic. Another era indeed.