Nature's diary - August

[Tinkerbell]

The arrival of August heralded the preparations for our annual holiday in Devon or Cornwall, together with grandparents, uncle and aunt (6 adults and 2 children). Cakes and pies would be baked, to sustain us at our destination, and sandwiches prepared for the journey. We would set off in two cars, in the early hours of the morning - no motorways then, but on the other hand there was less traffic too.

A chalet at Beer, in Devon was to be our holiday home on more than one occasion, though strictly speaking we stayed halfway between Seaton and Beer. The chalet sat high on a hill, along with maybe half a dozen others, with wonderful views below to the countryside and sea. The accommodation was extremely basic, no electricity, bottled gas to cook with, and no running water - this was fetched daily from a standpipe at the entrance to the field, usually by my brother and myself. The chalet was fenced to accommodate a patch of 'garden', but more importantly to prevent the resident horses from straying too near the holidaymakers.

We walked into Beer most days, along country lanes overgrown with an abundance of wildflowers and made our way down the unusual stream edged main street, to the beach. Sheltered by high cliffs on either side, with the sound of the sea drawing the pebbles back and forth, the mainly shingle beach accommodated the small local fishing fleet which provided entertainment and education to those of us from more inland surroundings. Trawling our own lines for mackerel was a real treat, as we looked back at the coast from our boat, taking in a very different perspective.

If we holidayed at the right time, it would include attendance at the Beer Fete. Local folk were very friendly and encouraged us to enter various classes, so a garden on a plate was a great favourite, as we scoured the beach and rock pools for shells and lanes for flowers. Wild mushrooms might also be found, whilst out on one of our many walks, to be taken back to the chalet and cooked for breakfast.

Evenings were mostly spent sitting outside, playing cards and ludo, or taking in the view, with bats darting about in the twilight and owls hooting nearby.

Even days endured in the rain or sea mist were enjoyable in their own way, as the rain pelted down on the tin roof - we just had to find an indoor occupation for a while (I-spy for example). Then the sun would emerge maybe bringing rainbows, or the sight of the damp being turned to steam in the field below. Horseflies sometimes biting were about the only downside I can recall of these 'back to nature' experiences - cheap, cheerful and immensely memorable holidays.

[Tinkerbell]

Towards the end of August, Thatcham near Newbury was my destination to stay with great aunt and uncle Collins. They had no children of their own, but my brother would go there for a week, followed by me a week or so later. Although they lived on the busy Bath Road, their garden was entirely different to our own - little box hedges, cottage garden flowers to pick, vegetables and a chicken house and run at the bottom, all interspersed with fruit trees and bushes. An oasis of interest in fact. One of the highlights of these visits was a daily walk, together with the dog, around by the allotments. These sided on to fields, hedged by blackberries, harebells, and toadflax in particular. But the main attraction for me was the trees, seemingly enormous; I would race ahead of the others in order to climb up and 'hide'. From this vantage point I could see for miles and was able to spot the odd birds nest, fungus, insects and moths and maybe the oak apple - that spongy interesting growth.

All this together with a game of cards in the evenings, followed by a small but delicious supper and aunt Mabel's chips - cooked in beef lard - for breakfast in bed. What more could you ask for?

Back to school soon - and many friends hadn't even been on a day trip. How lucky we were by comparison.