AFTERNOON IN #WATSONBAY #ilovesydney

We have learnt a valuable lesson this afternoon. Don’t be fooled into buying frangipani tarts; even if they tempt you with pear and apricots, as they are heavy on the tummy, never mind the waistline!
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Finding shade this afternoon is a difficult pastime. It is 89 degrees, although it feels hotter. We walk along to the right side of the bay hoping to find somewhere cool, but it is now 3pm and all the spots are taken.

We end up sitting on a dirty sand -wet wall overlooking the beach, where a boathouse provides the shade. My lovely husband takes out his sketch book and paints and is happy and relaxed doing his thing.
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As for me, my body protests at the way that I am siting; my shorts dig in and, suddenly feel too small and tight. “Why oh why didn’t I go on that diet!”
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My creaky knees crack, as I slide clumsily down onto the wall. Nothing graceful here I’m afraid. With knees bunched up under my chin, I begin to write. The ink in my pen keeps disappearing to add to my woes and the heat is getting to me. I write an observation poem on what I can see.

                       
                                                         AFTERNOON HEAT.


                                                    As the heat haze rises,   
                                                    The baking sun
                                                    Cooks the sandy beach
                                                    Golden yellow.
                                                    It meets the refreshing sea
                                                    And cools,
                                                    Creating a translucent vapour.
                                                    Footprints wet and pronounced
                                                    Evaporate rapidly
                                                    And the sunbathers
                                                    Basted with sun cream, 
                                                    Roast!
                                                   Their skin turns brown,
                                                   Crispy and well done.
                                                   Sun visors and hats
                                                   Provide a canopy
                                                   And tilted umbrellas
                                                   Offer intermittent respite,
                                                   From the fierce sun rays.
                                                   The water laps thirstily
                                                   Along the shoreline.
                                                   It swishes and swirls
                                                   Offering some cool refreshment
                                                   From the oppressive heat.
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​Oh! Before I go; I have just spied myself 60 years ago! A little girl in a ruched swimsuit and white floppy sunhat tied under the chin has materialised on the beach in front of me. She looks adorable as she plays in the sand.

I have a black and white photograph, taken of me when I was about three years old when I was holidaying on The Isle of Man wearing a similar outfit.

I’m not too sure that I looked as adorable; however, my parents always told me the tale that one day a couple offered them £1000 for me!

​Nowadays I’d be lucky to get 1000 pence!