I am basking in the glow, not of this wonderful warmth and sun we finally have, but of the timeless joy I am getting from our days outdoors, as I mentioned on Tuesday. I am keeping it close as we draw to the halfway point in the school holidays.
When we got back from the beach on Tuesday, I couldn't stop thinking about how I had felt whilst sitting there on the sand watching the children play. Isn't it wonderful that some things never lose their magic, their lustre? It's like finding a beautiful pearl in amongst the glittering baubles in the little box of my life. 'Oh! I had forgotten this! Look! It's still here!' And now I have these little people to share it with, and yet it is already a normal part of our summer days.
Below is a picture taken in 1977, on the same beach, Brittas Bay. From left, there's my sister Emma, my older brother Andrew, Chris, and me. I think I'm right in saying that Simon was probably about a month old so that's why he doesn't feature!
And as I came in the door on Tuesday evening, fresh from the beach, I went straight to the bookshelf and pulled out our copy of this book which was one of my favourites growing up.
It's one of Marcel Marlier's books called 'Johnny and Sophie at the Seaside', and I loved it because in my head it was Brittas Bay, and that was me (oh how I wished I looked like Sophie!) running up the sand dunes. It was especially beloved on a winter's evening by the fireside, just like the beginning of the book.
I'm not sure what happened to the original one I had, but somewhere along the way my Dad picked up this copy in Irish!
And so the wheel turns. The circle of life goes round. And I get to see it through the eyes of a child once more, and I truly am transported.
And I give thanks, for I am blessed.
8 comments:
sadly, I did not have a beach growing up. However, I am so thrilled to share it with B now. I hope that he does the same for his little ones one day. Thanks so much for sharing your photos and the sweet book...so precious.
Hee, hee, 1977 looked like a good year. Great pics, both the then and the now.
have fun, g
What a lovely post, Ciara. Brittas Bay was always such a magical place, and well I remember those evenings pouring over that book. The image toward the end of the book, the children asleep beside their sandcastle with the chest full of sea shells beside them, is still so vivid in my mind. I wonder what happened to the English edition.
of course, you are blessed. Blessed with a fantastic family and the greatest memories. Thanks for sharing.
:)
oh wow, i haven't seen that book in years! i used to pour over that, love the illustrations. Was there a night time beach bit with stars or was that another book?
lovely post ciara, amazing that the beach doesn't change with the decades or fashion or whatever. always looks timeless no matter who the kids are running around..
Thanks everyone!
Chris, the last page features them walking off up the near-deserted beach with their little dog at dusk. That may have been what you are thinking of. I'll bring the book along next time I see you so you can have a proper trip down memory lane!
It was a glorious weekend! Spent Saturday in Nun's Beach! Did Friday night work out?
I have been searching for this book for years. I loved this book as a child and like one of the other readers comments I spent hours looking at the pictures and imaging I was in them. I am in Australia so if anyone comes across an original please let me know. Kitty Kat :-)
Post a Comment