Where did you holiday when you were little? If you were anything like me your holidays involved rock and sandy beaches, not hummus and sailing like my girls. I have fond memories of caravans and chalets; long car journeys and ferries; rain and freezing cold beach days huddles behind a wind break on an Atlantic Coast beach.
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For me the holiday I remember the most isn’t a one off holiday, it is a combination of trips. Â My Grandparents had a house in Abergele, North Wales where they eventually moved, so we spent many many weekends and holidays down there over a number of years and months.
I remember the amusement arcade, that is just the same now as it was back then (save for the chain smoking takes place outside) with its bingo tables and slot machines.
I remember the two pence machines where the money had to tip over the edge, the ones you played until you didn’t have any coins left in your hands.
I remember the ten pence machines which we weren’t allowed to play as we would lose too much money.
I remember the small funfair with a huge bumpy slide where you sat on mats to go down. I remember always wanting to go on again.
I remember my Dad and my Grandad skimming stones in the sea and us kids running in and out of the freezing cold sea but laughing.
I remember cousins and aunties and uncles all crowding round the one table for tea and working out who was going to sleep where.
I remember card games like Gin Rummy, Queenie, Seven of Diamonds and betting with matches or pennies from the penny jar.
I remember the beach huts that were no longer on the beach but the stories about the fact that my Dad used to make money working on them when he was a kid.
I remember the cafe on the beach and the caravan park at the side of the beach where we never needed to stay because we had Gran and Grandads.
I remember smiling and eating chips and staying up late.
I remember thinking this was what holidays were about.
What do you remember?
Karen Beddow founded Mini Travellers in 2014 while doing what she loves most...going on holiday!
Mini Travellers is for parents looking for holiday ideas, destination reviews, days out and things to do with the kids. We also have family travel tips, activity ideas and all other things family holiday related. Take a look at some of our latest reviews for holidays and day trips in the UK.
Happy memories! X
Happy Memories.
Oh I love this post Karen! So sweet, I used to love going away with my Grandparents. I think you are giving your girls the most amazing experiences, they will have so many happy memories with your holidays and kids are just as happy on a beach in North Wales eating chips as they are going abroad. The best bit about holidays is just being with family xx
I had quite a few holidays on the north Welsh coast growing up – donkeys and sandstorms plus paddling whatever the weather. And those helper skelter slides with the scratchy mats… I always wanted to go down again too 🙂
This is great! You know my holidays are still like that though! It’s not a holiday if you’re not eating a sandy cheese sandwich on the beach! These photos look a lot like some of my old family hols too, we used to go to Abersoch most years, and had some brill family holidays in Devon and Cornwall too. xx
What a lovely trip down memory lane. My first family holiday was to Jersey when I was three and the following year we went to Ibiza. I also remember a disastrous week in Pontins. After that we had less holidays and more days out on a Sunday and Bank Holidays in Alton Towers. All happy memories though, full of laughter and smiles. Thanks for the memories xx