Thursday, July 04, 2013

What I need is a thermos

If we're to be proper OAPs going on day trips we need a thermos. And quite possibly picnic chairs.

We took sandwiches yesterday as there are no cafes or food outlets on the island. You'd have been impressed: I actually cooked a chicken the day before so I could make chicken sandwiches. 

Normally part of the thrill of a day trip, for me, is the obligatory cake and cuppa at the tea-shop, but knowing that wasn't going to be possible I resolved that we would have a healthy lunch: chicken sandwiches on granary bread with apples and bottled water.

What they hadn't mentioned was that the little ticket office also sold chocolate and crisps. All good intentions went by the board, partly because of my shorts.

You see, unusually for me, I'd consulted the BBC weather forecast before dressing for our trip. it assured me that it was going to be full sun on Skomer for the afternoon. So i put on my shorts and t-shirts and alight cardigan. I took a think jumper mainly for the boat crossing but didn't anticipate needing it. 

By the time we arrived at the rather grandly-named embarkation point the sun that had been threatening to peep through was lost behind thick clouds. Everyone else buying tickets was dressed in walking boots, long trousers and warm waterproof anoraks and looked at us strangely especially the sombre German man I later on mistakenly accosted thinking it was Husband walking behind me. 

So feeling a bit chilly I decided that a Mars bar would warm me up. As would a packet of crisps. Hey ho.

And after all the walking around the island an ice cream on our return was only our just desserts.

Anyway, back to the thermos. I dislike tea kept in a thermos but I fear I shall have to overcome that prejudice, just as I have battled with my tea-bag in a cup abhorrence at Zac's. (I have my own tea-pot there but they always make a huge pot and never give it to anyone else but me so it seems such a waste that I've given up on it.)

I can see us now, Husband and me, sitting in our picnic chairs admiring the view, blanket over my knees, thermos at the ready. Only one step removed from those people who drive to Mumbles, sit in their cars on the sea front and stare at the view before driving home again having had 'a lovely run out.'

4 comments:

nick said...

Yes, I also wonder about those couples who do nothing but sit in the car all afternoon "admiring the view". Which more than likely is a scruffy litter-strewn beach. And quite often they're in a car park surrounded by other couples also "admiring the view". Surely there are some secluded and genuinely beautiful spots they could have chosen instead?

Liz Hinds said...

But they'd probably have to get out the car and walk to those, nick.

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Oh my word Liz , by the time I got to the end of this post I was in stitches ,, In my head I was thinking ,,"I hope they aren't a couple who drive then sit, flask of tea and sandwiches " and return ,, I laughed so much ..

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Oh my word Liz , by the time I got to the end of this post I was in stitches ,, In my head I was thinking ,,"I hope they aren't a couple who drive then sit, flask of tea and sandwiches " and return ,, I laughed so much ..