Mother had no faith in the sea. I found this out when we were at Littlehampton, boarding far from town and the sea. The beach was far from shops, ice-cream stalls and of course toilets!.
Father knew the beach on other side of the river so planned an expedition to escape the crowds so that picnics and bathing could be away from the crowds. All approved the plan and we found that we'd ferry acrosst. Us kids were keen and excited. The boatman, a gnarled weather beaten old salt doing job, smoking a pipe that sent out reeking clouds. I remember his hands and arms ends gripping the oars.
Panic on mother’s face was obvious as we clambered into the boat. The charge was one penny each and for this we crossed fast flowing River Arun. That was quite evident when the tide was out. When the tide was in the water was sluggish so rowing across to the other side was simple, much to the relief of mother. On opposite shore we had to trek over strange territory for a few minutes spending a day at the beach, bathing, eating and exploring. Mother however merely sat down and had no dealing with the sea.
With food eaten, bodies tanned by the sun, tired out from running about and hungry again we walked back to the ferry. Large queues of customers now were there, crossings seem to take longer now tide was going out. That is not true it was racing out and the ferries were making heavy weather of the trip. As we boarded the boatman with grim determination turned the craft and rowed with a steely face rowed upstream painfully slowly. Only when the berth on the opposite side seemed totally out of reach did he swing the boat around and drift with the fast current. With ferry hopelessly out of control until some yards from the berth, he nudged the boat into waiting hands who quickly fastened it and unloaded passengers. We boys and Dad certainly had faith all would be well. Mother on the other hand did not open her eyes until she was helped out of the boat on the other side
Word Count 362
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I love all the detail in this, painting a happy picture of that way of life.
ReplyDeleteLovely and descriptive piece of writing.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautifully evocative write, Robin!💝
ReplyDeleteI really like the narrator's voice, how much attention he pays to his mother and to his surroundings. I like all the wonderment he injects into his descriptions of the place and of his mother.
ReplyDeletethis was brilliant! i admire your descriptive skills. well-written.
ReplyDeleteNice one Robin. The contrast in the boatman's time worn confidence and mother's worried face is stunning
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday
Much💝love
I like the narrator's voice, the images and the feel of the piece. Lovely writing.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful little adventure, vivid and bold. I picture the weathered old salt rowing and your mother with white knuckles and eyes tightly shut.
ReplyDeleteA perfect day but not from your mother's view!
This could have been my story! My mother was terrified of water, and she passed that fear along to me. Along with that, driving up a steep hill if I cannot see over the front of the car to what's ahead, I am a whimpering, pitiful passenger huddled under the dashboard!
ReplyDelete