As the sun graces us with its presence and summer sneaks it’s way into our thoughts I have had more than a few of my own so thought that I would share.
First up is my conclusion that we are sinking back to Victorian ways in our enjoyment of the coast. We look at all those Victorians in their full length bathing costumes and the bathing sheds and marvel at the lengths that they went to in order to get some ocean time within the social constraints of the time. When I look out of my window now I see the same vista except now it is in colour!
Children are now in full length bathing suits and liberally coated in all sorts of potions for fear of changing colour in the sun. Dad brings the car to the front and emerges from the trunk struggling with the weight of tents, wind breaks, coolers and the like. This is the first of at least two trips to establish the family on the beach. Actually, on reflection, maybe the Victorians were cleverer than us; they had bathing stations on wheels whereas I repeatedly watch tourists chased, seemingly unexpectedly, away from the ‘best’ spot by the tide!
Another thing about the sun is it makes us think about where we want to be. It may be a foreign beach, a beer garden or some tranquil spot but when you are going about your day these places slip in to your mind as if the sun has opened the patio door of your subconscious. For me the sun calls up island life and, perhaps as importantly, it speaks to the publican in me.
I guess that I am lucky, at least to some degree, to know where I want to be and to be in a position where I know that I will make that happen. I speak to people in industry who, despite a career in some cases, still don’t know what they want to do they still don’t know what it is that will drive them. I had a debate recently when passing on some tools which questioned whether it was the right thing to do. Engineering is my stock and trade so I guess that the question was valid but as much as I am always going to criticise service techs they are the way forward for me as the Engineer gives way to the Publican.
So as the sun shines and you picture that sun trap beer garden and a refreshing pint look closely and you may just spot me picking up the empties.
