yes, so we got the tent up and wandered down to the beach for a mosy around! both girls had a fab time paddling and making up see monsters, until BB really saw one an exited the sea pdq looking absolutely terrified. she maintianed it was a giant squid. we kept suggesting it might have been seaweed, but only the removal of the offending rock with seaweed on it persuaded her that we were right. it did have something of the squid about it though.
the next day started off rainy, so the girls did some craft kits in the tent whilst the worst of it settled, and then we went down to the beach with our suntent – mostly known as a wind and rain tent really! and fab it was for the shelter!! BB found the first fossil – a small ammonite, and we all played in the sea. realising the pebbly nature, we invested in sea shoes for bb and sb, and things looked good. a chippery lunch on the beach added to the treat value. ahh, this is what holidays are all about! at the end, we went to the local fossil shop and replaced some sharks teeth for bb, and found a box for sb to fill with agate pieces to say thankyou for all the washing up she was going to do – she did do the washing up of brekkie and lunch without fuss all holiday. SB really is a good helper.
next day looked really rainy, so we went to nearby lyme regis for a museum day, and by the time we were all parked, the weather was gorgeous! our first stop was the first museum we walked past – dinosaurland. i loved it, bb mostly loved the title, but did zoom around and played a bit, and SB obsessively collected all the answers to the questions on the leaflet. there is something appealing to me a bout a huge tableau of belemnites all together really. and it was one of those semi-eclectic little museums that have a bit of a buzz about them. would recommend. we then moved on to have lunch, though we did have to walk out of the restaurant shortly after arriving and have a discussion with bb on the words yuk etc. i guess i was also not exactly relaxed as had started the day with an upsetting dream and was waiting for news from sis. but we did have a lovely meal and then wandered round to the working mill where we went on a fabulous tour by the miller of the day. SB was v interested and asked sensible questions, the the chap more and more directed his talk and display to her – she was v happy. bb and i had a go at using a quern stone together – quite hard work!
we ambled down to the sea front and had icecream and fudge on the beach – i made a poor swap with sb, so she wolfed down loads of fudge! we then moved on to the more traditional lyme regis museum. again sb made a good stab at the leaflet, and bb was v happy with the more interactive exhibits, and we all came away having learnt something. indeed we all had to be dragged out a closing time!! by now both girls def au fait with the mary anning story and various types of local fossil. the museum had some books out which we have already got, and would recommend.
we made the mistake of walking uphill to the supermarket and then being caught in a torrential downpour. BB’s ability to walk evaporated, as did my ability to be patient. we then miserably staggered back to the car! luckilly a simple tea restored everybody’s equanimity!! and chris and i played my birthday present game – it has turned into our camping game, and v happy we are with it!