What a great weekend activity, I think, still labouring under the delusion that my children are happy to go along with my idea of a good, family day out.
So I suggest it, without thinking carefully how to lead them into it gradually, but by bit, until they’re hooked.
“What’s Beachwatch?” asks Ben, suspicious already.
“We’d be helping look after the beaches, by walking around…”
“Walking?” demands Hannah, always on the lookout for the “W” word, and not in a canine way.
“.. and picking up all the litter that gets left there. Then we’d list what we’d found so…”
I don’t get to finish my lame explanation.
“What, you mean we’d be walking about picking up rubbish and then writing about it?” says Ben, the scorn spilling from his lips.
He has a point. So I laugh.
“Yes, I thought it’d be educational and ecological all at the same time. A good, family day out.”
“I don’t think so.”
I know when I’m beaten.
So we went to the zoo, ate our picnic on the grass and bothered the orangutans and gorillas instead.
By the by, I’ve been awarded a lovely picture by the even lovelier Cartside.
I now pass it on to …
Enjoy.
Ooooh, thank you!!
We try to avoid the ‘W’ word at all costs. “Let’s go on a Sunday afternoon outing” we say. Or “Let’s get some exercise”. But they sniff it out. “You mean, a walk” they say in derision. Then once we’ve got them going, they love it.
Iota – you’re welcome. It is amazing how they protest and moan at leaving the house and then when you’re out clambering over stiles and fording streams, they have a ball.
Can’t blame them really – you didn’t really sell it! You can almost hear the scorn dripping from the “I don’t think so comment”!
Hey and many thanks for the award