The Problem of Applying Sunscreen to Wet, Sandy Bodies.
My husband Andy is home from school for two weeks. “What shall we do during the holidays?” he asks.
“Let’s go to the beach!”
The girls’ eyes light up. Callum’s eyes light up. It’s been two years since we last saw the sea.
We pack bags of swimming gear, and an esky full of delicious picnic food. Shall we take SAND-wiches? We grab the sunscreen and our hats and sunnies. Of course, we don’t forget the buckets and spades.
“Are we ready? Let’s go!”
We pile into our trusty old van and head out of our village, down through the cutting, past the paddocks of cows and into the bush. Eventually, we arrive at the top of the escarpment. Andy selects a low gear and we slowly descend a very steep and winding road. By the time we arrive at the bottom, we’ll be at sea level. The van doesn’t like the hairpin bends. It groans and moans. We don’t like the way the sides of the narrow road disappear into nothingness. We peer sideways out of the van’s windows. It’s a long way down. But we are going to the beach! The journey will be worth it.
Nearly two hours after we set out, we arrive at the coast. A quick change of clothes and we are ready. The kids run from the van, heading for the sandy path which leads to the beach. Our feet sink into the sand. We wriggle our toes. We smell the salt air. And then we stop… and look. We can see the sea!
We claim a little part of the almost deserted beach just for ourselves. We throw down our bags. We spread out our towels. It’s time to dip our feet into the ocean. The girls run towards it. They splash each other and giggle.
“Hey!”
“The water’s cold!”
“We’re going to build a sandcastle.”
“Wow! I’m hungry! I can’t wait for lunch.”
“Can I film you, Mum?” Why not?
“Are you coming into the sea, Dad?”
“Do I have to?”
“Yes! Of course, you do, Dad! We have more fun when you join in.”
“The water’s cold!”
“It’s time to reapply some more sunscreen.”
“Can we walk to the rock pools?”
“I’m going to collect shells.”
“I found a crab.”
“Is there anything living in this shell?”
“I think we’ve had enough sun for one day.”
“I hope no one is sunburnt.”
“It’s time to go home.”
We’ve been on an outing to the coast. We could call it a field trip. Did we learn much from our day at the beach? Did we come home with our minds brimming with further questions? Yes!
What did we learn? We learnt…
Dad’s hat makes a good bucket for collecting shells.
An older brother is perfect for holding onto when the waves are strong.
Jumping waves is much more fun when Dad jumps too.
It’s necessary to keep out of the way of younger sisters’ legs in the water, otherwise, your own legs will end up bruised.
The van might be 25 years old, but it can still climb up and down the escarpment.
A day at the beach is a lot of fun.
And further questions?
I want to know…
“What’s the best way to reapply sunscreen to sandy wet bodies?” Gemma-Rose turned into a piece of human sandpaper as I rubbed in the cream. There must be a better way.
Some further research is needed perhaps. We’ll have to think up some ideas that might possibly work. Of course, they’ll need testing out. We could set up some scientific experiments… sand, seawater, children and sunscreen. Another day at the beach?
Yes, please!