Winter’s Day at the Beach
I love Australia. I love that even in the deepest, darkest days of the winter we often get some sunshine. Coming from Ireland, where the winter is long, dark, cold, and wet, the winter here in Australia is a picnic in comparison.
Not that it doesn’t get cold here in Melbourne during the winter, it certainly does. Last night, for example, was about 4 or 5°C (39°F). But today should heat up a bit, and allow four fully charged boys some time to roar, and one tired mum some time to recharge at the beach, or park… or somewhere outdoors!
I need outside time. Time to connect with the earth, preferably surrounded by trees or ocean. I’m not fussy, either will do. My boys need somewhere that they can run, jump, and make a lot of noise. 4 boys = lots of noise, but it doesn’t seem as loud when we are outside.
When I say the water is cold, I mean very, very cold. So cold that the blood in your feet decides it’s not worth the effort to heat them. It’s always hard those first few minutes trying to get used to the cold. My boys like to show who is ‘tougher’ by being the first in, and showing the least reaction to the cold. IrishCyborg is really good at this. He just saunters in as if the water is the perfect temperature. “Nothing to see here, water is lovely, and I am the toughest!!”
Not to be out done, IrishKing follows suit. “Not a bother, this water doesn’t feel cold to me! I’m a hard man!”
It looks warm enough, so IrishDoom takes the plunge.
Screaming from the cold,
he hightails out of there!
He decides to give it another go, this time he succeeds!
“Come on Mum, it’s not cold” …Liars!
Didn’t bring a ball? No worries, use your Crocs instead.
Luckily Crocs are practically indestructible.
I asked IrishWrath why he wasn’t playing.
He answered that he didn’t want to wreck his Crocs, but then pondered for a while…
“I am carrying YOUR Crocs, Mum.. so maybe I will play after all”.
“Crocs, crocs!!” they shouted pointing at their shoes floating in the water. I wondered why they weren’t shouting shark, shark. It would have been more fitting since there are no crocodiles in Melbourne. Oh, whatever, it’s only a game. (Mentally taking note, which I will forget by the time I get home, to teach them what animals are in fact in Victorian waters)
I watched them play there for ages, joyous in the simple delights. Fresh air, healthy children, and the sound of laughter. Then suddenly, it dawned on me. Crocs as in their shoe brand!! Boy, I’m slow!
Evey time this kid sees a flock of birds, he has to run for them screaming like a banshee. What’s with that? Was he a dog in a former life? I think he was a Collie. Full of intelligence, but needs a lot of training and exercise.
Oh, the peace of the beach. I love Australia, and the beach, and my boys.
