The Wonder Years

The Whatley’s are out of office this month as they embrace the life of Cornish beach bums. Join Sara, Robin and the kids in… LIFE’S A BEACH

We had such a wonderful holiday in Cornwall recently, we nearly didn’t come back home. “Go and find a cave we can live in,” I told the children as I settled back with my lunchtime pasty, and off they trotted across the vast expanse of sand to explore the rocks. Ho hum, no luck I’m afraid, only “big scary dark caves.”

Children need no more than a beach; sand, sea and ice creams and they are as happy as, well, sandboys.

This was our third year making this particular beach our home, and I can see many more to come.

Two peninsulas have created an expansive sandy cove complete with rock pools, two rivers and safe swimming and surfing. It’s heaven. We set off each day with buckets and spades, beach balls and many, many snacks. One day we dammed the smaller stream (actually more of a splash), working as a family construction team with Jarvis heaving stones into place and Mia excitedly shouting instructions to us lowly spades.

“Faster! The water’s escaping!” said Mia the foreman.

“’Eavy,” puffed Jarvis, splashing a small pebble into the pool while trampling across the rest of the sand dam. Oh children, your ‘help’ is priceless.

For just a moment the dam held and Mia was amazed we had the power to stop the stream. Then suddenly it gave way and with a gentle whoosh the water trickled out across the sand once more. With screams of delight, both children paddled down the stream until it dispersed into the pillowy hillocks

of sand and dips of warmed sea puddles, which stretched all the way out to the white tipped waves breaking far in the distance. After all that excitement it was definitely time for ice cream. The little hole-in-the-wall parlour right on the sand was our daily pit stop and served the most delicious, creamy cones and tubs imaginable.

Jarvis learned many new words on holiday, but one of the most important was, of course, “I cream!” always said

with a little stampy dance of joy. And it never seems to matter how much sand gets in children’s ice cream, they still lap them up like the nectar of the gods.

Talking of sand getting places it shouldn’t, you would be amazed at how much we took home every day, tucked away in ever nook and cranny imaginable. Well children, if you will sit bare bottomed on the beach, expect a thorough exfoliation experience!

Life feels easy on the beach. Stress is at a minimum, the children can run free and Robin and I managed to close our eyes and relax, for a couple of minutes each! We did return home, much to our children’s annoyance, and they have had to make do with the little sandpit in the garden and buckets of water. Roll on next year for more sandy, sticky and sweet beach fun. l

Tel: 01444 455081 janetirwin@janetirwin.com www.theacornsnurseryandforestschool.com

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