A very young (7 months old) Ollie, in the sea. He still had a collar back then.
The rain stopped the day before yesterday, and the sun came out today. Julie was on a day off from work, so we decided to take Ollie the dog to the seaside for the afternoon.
Wells-next-the Sea is our nearest seaside town, only 30 minutes in a car. There is a large dog friendly section of beach, and a pine forest leading up to the sand dunes. Unfortunately, the sun was not present there, as it was shrouded in coastal cloud. That didn’t matter, as it was warm, and very busy, with both day trippers and holidaymakers there for their annual summer break.
Ollie had great fun in the sea, which was surprisingly warm, and enjoyed meeting up with all the other dogs. Julie and I got a lot of good exercise, and some rare quality time together.
I love the English seaside towns like Wells. Unpretentious, unstructured, and pretty much unchanged for decades. The fish and chip shops, the tacky sea front gift shops, the beach cafes, and the amusement arcades. All part of my past, and still there in the present.
Kids wander along clutching inflatables, buckets and spades, and ice creams. The small coastal railway is as popular now as it was 50 years ago, despite computer games, satellite TV, and Alton Towers. Passers-by wave at excited children as they make the short journey to the beach, or on the return to the town.
There is almost no graffiti, very little rubbish, and the shops still close at a normal time. On the beach, families still make sand castles, or dig channels towards the sea. Children run excitedly into the waves, watched by parents sitting with rolled up trousers, busy preparing picnic food, or treats. By the time 5 pm approaches, long lines of tired kids, some carried by their mums and dads, snake down the long harbour wall, returning to the town, the car parks, or the nearby caravan camp.
They are ready for those fish and chips, and an early night before doing it all again tomorrow.
Who needs Disneyland?
beetleypete 
We took Little O to Frinton-on-Sea earlier this week and he had a whale of a time. Reminded me of my own childhood holidays in Port Elizabeth where both sets of my grandparents lived.
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Frinton is great. And it is also home to some of the best Art Deco houses in England. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Kids get overstimulated and grumpy at theme parks. Kids get worn out and hungry at the beach. I vote for the beach any day.
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Me too! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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When we really notice all the little things around us, it is wonderful. Appreciation for nature is a great thing. Lovely post, Pete. Best to you.
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Thanks, Jennie. The English seaside towns have hardly changed since my parents were children.
I love the nostalgia they represent.
Best wishes, Pete.
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How wonderful to visit the same seaside towns, pretty much as they were when you were a child. Few people have that experience. Nostalgia is tremendously warming and invigorating. I love it. Best to you, Pete.
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Got a good reason
For taking Ollie out
Got a good reason
For taking him out now
He’s a day tripper
One way ticket to the sea, yeah
It took me so long to find out
And I found out
(My apologies to the Beatles.)
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I suspect Lennon and McCartney were anticipating his birth, David. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Wells sounds like a delightful place, Pete. It’s fun to see Ollie in his younger days.
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Pete, this post has more photos of that day, and useful links too.
https://beetleypete.com/2016/01/17/wells-next-the-sea-an-afternoon-out/
Best wishes, Pete.
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Much better than Disney and it’s free!☺️
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Thanks, Kim. And it’s real too. Sand in your toes, and wet clothes. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Reminds me of my childhood staying with relatives at Southend. We sometimes go up to Cromer, another nice beach along the North Norfolk coastline.
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Oh yes, we are at Cromer and Sheringham many times a year too.
https://beetleypete.com/2016/01/16/cromer-a-seaside-town/
Thanks, Stevie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Reblogged this on beetleypete and commented:
One of my early blog posts, from 2012. The English seaside, and a very young Ollie.
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