Can I Play?

Enjoying the beach at Apollo Bay on a morning walk with the mighty Lisa earlier today. Beaches powerfully trigger the memory I reckon.

We walked on the water's edge past some energetic boys on their boogie boards and through an eternal game of cricket... beach chair for a wicket, unfolded and wedged into the sand... dad with the bat generously hitting up catches - two girls go for it and let it fall between them. Much laughter... not just the players but other families watching... Lisa and your blogger walking past. Another ball and another skied stroke... this time to the off side away from the water... mum gets under it and catches it, only to over-act a clumsy dropping of the ball. Dad survives. More laughter!

There is simple, sheer enjoyment of fun being made and shared with those around.

This blogger is transported back thirty plus years to a beach connected to this coast line a thousand miles away at Port Macquarie, NSW. Bill, the little ten year old stands sheepishly near a game so similar to this one watching the dads organise the various beach cricketers in their charge.

Tentatively I recall (with my dad's encouragement) moving up to the dad in charge.

"Can I play?"

"Of course you can mate... what's your name?"

"Bill"

"You're batting next Bill!"

This morning I remembered how good that welcome felt... thirty three years ago.

Feel free to share your summer memories in the space below.


Bill Jennings

http://www.time-space.com.au