What I did on my holidays – then and now.

Then;

As a child I loathed going back to school after the summer holidays, mostly because of the dreaded school essay. Every year was the same – write 500 words entitled what I did on my holidays. In those days, I wanted to write just one-word – “nothing!” My dad was a farm worker and as anyone connected with farming knows August and September are some of the busiest times. Dad would be out at first light and still working long after it got dark. Mum didn't drive and so leaving the farm was out of the question. Looking back I realise what a privileged time it was. I climbed trees, rode on tractors and combined harvesters, played in the hay barns, fed the calves, collected the eggs, built dens, lit camp fires and all the other things a child living on a farm in the 1950s, and 60s did. 

A good book and a shady spot!

I was eleven when this photograph was taken. I can't remember what the book was, but it was probably something by Enid Blyton.

Now;

This year’s summer holiday came in December – and what a summer holiday! I don’t know where to begin!   Christmas in the sunshine, fireworks and live music at New Year, Zoe and Lilly’s christening, days spent at the beach, a trip into the hills, a trip to the Zoo, swimming, playing – we did it all! But best of all we did it with our son, his wife and their two amazing children, and we did it in Australia! I don’t want to bore you with family snaps – but honestly – how can I resist?

Have you every seen two such beautiful little girls? Lilly Grace and Zoe Rose all dressed up for the christening

What a lovely start to Christmas – a banner just for us!

Nanny and Zoe decorating the tree

Christmas Morning

Celebrating New Year's Eve with fireworks and a concert in Elder Park

Fun in the sun

No descriptions required!

Fishermen’s wharf markets, Port Adelaide

The outside of this building may not look very exciting, but once inside you find it filled with everything from books, toys, antiques and jewellery to lighting and dolls. I was lucky enough to visit and discover one or two interesting books, including a lovely copy of to find a golden pony by Amanda Gavin (very scarce and the first copy I've seen in more than 20 years) a nice Famous Five by Enid Blyton, a Pookie book by Ivy Wallace and a dust jacketed copy of Party frock by Noel Streatfeild. No trip is complete without buying at least a few books!

So that's what I did on my holiday - what about you?