Holidays as I remember, were always planned for fun and leisure
But whichever of the two, always afforded me lots of pleasure.

Early ones down on the beach, sand castles, Punch and Judy
Mum and Dad in deck chairs, one broody and t’other moody.

Then off on my own to Uncle’s farm, how I loved the horses and the dogs
Rounding the hens up for the night, and finding lizards, snakes and frogs.

Up to stay with Great Uncle Jim, who was a railway signalman
Good to be with him in his box, train spotting at Wokingham.

Back to the beach with Mum and Dad, but this time to Dungeness
For fishing and bird watching, from an old railway coach - Beachness.

Then having joined the local scouts, my first experience of camping
In a field beside Old Father Thames, with pastures new for tramping.

Towards the end of schooldays, for the summer hols I was wishing
They were really enjoyable, comprising lots of bicycling and fishing.

Then came the war - and holidays became memories of the past
Which hopefully would be resumed, when peace returned at last.

Indeed, the next was different. A major milestone in my life.
For just a few hours previously, I’d got myself a lovely wife.

Now harking back to forty six, I’m reminded of horses for courses
Conditions were far from easy, as we were both still in the forces.

As demob was still some time away, married life was rather troubled
But I could readily confirm, pleasures shared were pleasures doubled.

Then having got shot of air force blue, we found ourselves free to roam
Although our finances were rather stretched, running Home Sweet Home.

Luckily the ensuing holidays, gave the chance to spread our wings
To travel around by train and bus, enjoying fresh sights and things.

But the best were yet to come, with the arrival of our two boys
Holidays were now for the family, all experiencing new joys.

Friends had a farm in Cambridgeshire, and we travelled up in state
As far as that was possible, in a 1935 Morris Eight.

Next year it took us to Somerset, to a farm in quaint Bicknoller
Nestling beneath the Quantocks, ‘twas a site very hard to foller!

There followed a spate of Butlin’s, at Bognor, Minehead and Ayr
Whatever the growing boys fancied, they would surely find it there.

Back to the farm in Cambridgeshire, well timed in September
Assisting in the Harvest Home, ‘twas hard work as I remember.

Then we hired a Dormobile, which I drove up to the Lakes
Sites where our caravan rested, were lovely and no mistakes.

Next year we booked a Transit, with good friends numbering four
We went up to northern Wales, but a breakdown marred that tour.

Farming friends moved to Bedfordshire, to Bovril’s flagship farm
Adjacent to lovely Ampthill Park, and a small town full of charm.

When they moved to Millbrook, switching from cattle to sheep
We were introduced to lambing, farming training on the cheap.

We sampled Pontin’s Bay View camp, at Brixham down in Devon
To catch fresh mackerel for breakfast, required being out by seven.

Ere long the boys decided, they’d grown too old to come with us
So we acceded to their wishes, and certainly didn’t make a fuss.

From that time onwards I suppose, the emphasis was on leisure
But still the holidays on our own, provided memories to treasure.

When my wife at last agreed, to make her first trip by air
We ventured into Europe, and enjoyed our holidays there.

We started off with The Netherlands, in the heart of Amsterdam
Canals, galleries and museums, as much culture as we could cram.

Several good trips to the Channel Isles, somewhat nearer home
And one in southern Ireland, provided peaceful resorts to roam.

A memorable one was to northern France, in Brittany, in a gite
Eight included two little granddaughters, who were very sweet.

Our last flights were to Norway, to be based in Sogne and in Oslo
When our elder son was working there, a wondrous land you know.

Now I’m living on my own, I look forward to most welcome breaks
In Gloucestershire and Cornwall, where the boys have set their stakes.

Indeed, my holidays have been varied, providing leisure and fun
So I very gratefully give thanks to God, for each and every one.

© Aubrey Sinden