The Costa del Barrow

Whenever it is hot and sunny in the Lakes ( which isn`t very often) I long for my Yorkshire roots and a dip in the ocean at Filey or Scarborough or Whitby. Heaven to me is simple, a swim in the sea and a fresh crab for tea.
Today was the first day of the Summer holidays and the washing machine broke down. Mr N`s parting shot was "wouldn`t it be nice to eat dinner in the dining room tonight?" So I sat on the bottom stair like a deflated Cinderella who thought she was off to the ball then got a puncture in her pumpkin!
Undeterred by lack of washing machine and years of school work mountainous on the dining room table I had a little cry then had a very strong coffee and rolled my sleeves up...
My  three children were lounging around draped allover the place second only to my three fat pussycats for sheer outstretched laziness.
Well I hand washed some shirts for Matty and Bridget Jones knickers for me and really enjoyed wringing them out ...having a little imagine I was wringing someones neck who thought he might shadow my first day of the holidays shine. It was  actually rather good fun and pegging them out in the glorious sunshine made me even more determined to grenade the dining room before escaping.
I was surprised to find the wood beneath the piles of work, and was even spurred to polish it. Then just to make Matty feel bad I set it with a lovely blue tablecloth, blue glasses and even a candlabra.
I poured a whole bottle of bleach into my hairy shower , squeezed the kiddies into the car that was full of black bags of doom (useless school policies and recycling) and drove to my nearest beach.
Roan Head is nearly in Barrow , not your first choice for a holiday, all inclusive would comprise of a four pack of special brew and a tattoo! The beach though is breathtaking. White sand dunes (full of fornicating Barrow teenagers but apart from that it`s delicious) and beautiful shells looking onto the mountains of the Lakes in the distance.
After my frenzied first housework in six months I felt a bit grumpy, overheated and wished I was 7 like Jemima and could get my bum out without getting arrested. We skimmed stones and rolled down the huge sand dune and then going "oo oo aarr aaarr ow ow" we gingerly made our way home across the stony expanse. I still was feeling a little hett up.
Then out of nowhere a gorgeous labrador , a little panty, a little chubby, a little wheezy, trotted along by my side and kept me company. He was a dead ringer for my beloved dog Ben and made the walk to the car park a cool breeze. A sweet old lady caught him up and I asked her what was his name. "Yorkie" she said. Being a York lass this made me smile and we got chatting. The lady was swinging a lead that said "retired guide dog" that made my heart swell for this beautiful dog who had helped me cross the hard rocks to my car.
She then went on "he was my son`s guide dog, but sadly he died in January. We of course kept Yorkie as he is family. Sometimes we lose him and find him sitting by the bed in what was my son`s room. He`s probably the only one who understands how much we miss my son as he does too, terribly."
Well big tears welled in my eyes and I put on my shades to hide my emotions.
"See you again luvvy" she smiled and drove away.
Now I don`t know if I dreamed her but my feet no longer ached , I wasn`t grumpy or hot and bothered. I felt I had been in the prescence of  true love , angelic and magical.We are guided to marvellousness everyday by  our angels -the people and animals who pull us through this mortal coil that is life. I`ll be happy hoovering or whatever tomorrow as I realise how lucky I am and how I sometimes take my special ones for granted.
Happy holidays...I know mine will be now.

Knicker bocker glories

posh vanilla ice cream
whipped cream
sliced strawberries
chocolate sauce
strawberry sauce
chocolate flakes
maraschino cherries
slosh of pimms (For grown ups)

Layer the icecream, cream ,strawberries and sauces in a sundae glass top with cherries more cream, choc sauce and a crumbling of flake , serve with a side shot of Pimms or amaretto or whatever is your tipple and you`ll need a long spoon as your tongue won`t be long enough!