We arrived home from 'up north' on Sunday after a very quick and busy visit. In our usual way we tried to fit in all the things we normally do there in a shorter space of time. Number one on the list is a day on the beach. This is the thirteenth summer Helen has been going to Longsands Beach in Tynemouth and tradition can not be broken.
A beach is always entertaining. Rock pooling, riding non-existent waves, picnics, and hot chocolates to warm you up again when the North Sea has turned you blue.
Our trips 'up north' have us going into town, buying new school shoes, and uniform, and all the other necessities of life. Lunch was at Wagamama this time, where a bowl of noodle soup got the better of Helen. I had a night out with my stepsister, talking, eating Greek mezes, talking, talking some more.
Trips 'up north' we go to Tynemouth Station on the weekend for the market. The girls love the man who sells everything Dr Who related - including a hoard of DVDs. I love all the vintage things. My only purchase this time was a bag of vintage threads on wooden spools for £2.
What trips 'up north' don't usually include is a chance to take some photos of the place mats I made and gave to Mum for her birthday in April. But most of all, trips 'up north' have never involved saying good bye to the house that my mum and stepfather have lived in for thirty years.
It is the right time for them to move, but oh so very, very sad to say good bye to the house. Tears were shed. Next time we go 'up north' we will be able to do and see all the same things but we shall be staying just five minutes up the road in their new apartment. It will feel strange.
Susan
Welcome home! Looks like a brill time away! jxo
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo for good hols - love the pics
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! Loving the place mats oh and I would have bought the rocking chair then figured out how the heck to get it home!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! I have to remind myself that your trip up North is a trip down south for me :)
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! Looks like an amazing time! I've missed you and am so glad Mr. Abroad fixed your computer. Welcome back, lovely :)
ReplyDeleteHooray for reconnection! Looks like a great time had by all up North!
ReplyDeleteYeah, you're back! It looks like a lovely trip - I hope the move goes smoothly!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I want that rocking chair!!!
What a great time! Riding the waves sounds perfect for a day on the beach!
ReplyDeleteThe vacation sounds lovely. The house is very sad but if they are ready to downsize then that is the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteTechie husbands are the best! Sounds like a lovely holiday, even with having to say goodbye to the house (yes, I do talk to houses!) I'm sure those placemats will quickly find a home in the new apartment
ReplyDeletegood job hubby fixed the computer so that you could share your holiday xx a new place to visit is a good thing xx new memories to make xx
ReplyDeleteOh I've missed you! Glad your hubby is such a clever fellow. I love the pictures your post - the buildings are so beautiful and different to here, that food is always so tempting! I know what you are saying about the house - I felt the same way when my grandmother's house was sold after about 40 years...a piece of family history gone but memories remain, so that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a relaxing and fun time away..from the soup to the gorgeous vintage spools (seriously 2 pound?- I hate you!) and everything in between it looks like a fabulous time.
ReplyDeleteIt's always sad to say goodbye to something that has been such a big part of all your memories.
And 'up North' now breaths a sigh of relief that it can get a word in edgeways now!
ReplyDeleteNew memories to make in the new appartment I'm sure xxx
Welcome back, you did well cramming all that in! I see the east coast hasn't had the jellyfish epidemic that the west coast has been hit by o.O
ReplyDeleteI want that rocking chair!! How much was that?
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great time. Minus the tears of course.
Love ya xx
Sounds lovely, but with a bittersweet ending. I love the spools. I have some of my mother's.
ReplyDeleteOh, but you had a good time! Excellent beach time too!and, yes, sad to say goodbye to that home, but a new home for next time, so all will be well.
ReplyDeleteI remember when my parents moved from my childhood home. Bittersweet memories. The rest of your trip up north looked fun
ReplyDeleteI take back all those *rude* words about beaches.... looks magical.
ReplyDeleteI think it should be a rule that there should be at least one person in a family that can do the computer fixing!
ReplyDeleteI remember when my Mum left my childhood home, I was gutted! It felt more weird than moving my own home. Never been one for photos really but I always make sure I take lots of photos now.
Welcome home & lovely to see you back, looking forward to seeing loads of gorgeous sewing again :)
Lush x
Looks like a fabulous break
ReplyDeleteooh lovely! What no sand drawings?
ReplyDeletelooking forward to beaching it again now!!
those placemats are awesome!
ReplyDeleteMy parents moved house, within the same village, after I'd been moved out a few years. It did feel strange for a long time that they weren't in my childhood home and that I'd never go there again. They moved into the house that my best friend lived in when we were kids though, so their new place has always felt like home to me!
Looks like a fun trip. I don't think this Aussie wo loves the sea could bring herself to swim in the North Sea! Brrrr. The Southern Ocean is cold enough. It feels weird when family members don't live in the same place anymore. But your memories are yours, not attached to the house. I hope your Mum and Stepdad have settled in well to their new place.
ReplyDelete