Skegness

Copyright Michael Coatesworth.

Last revised: March 08, 2008

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Holiday in Skegness

Mike Coatesworth

Myself at back after receiving my runners up medal

for the darts competition, Paul in front was the winner

I was like a little child; all excited as I sat and watched the family and driver place the luggage for our holiday carefully around the bus. Once again it was time for our annual main holiday. This time it was for almost three weeks. Every year it gets longer.

We were off to sunny Skegness, where the whole atmosphere vibrates in excitement with its amusement parks, side-shows, model village, and of course the holidaymakers laughter as they play on the long unspoilt sandy beaches.

The place we were staying at was a holiday village just outside Skegness at Chapel St Leonard's. We have been going there for seven years and each time we look forward to going as the village offers plenty of entertainment for all ages. If you wish to relax, there is a secluded beach where you can sit and bask in the hot sun completely undisturbed save for the local wildlife.

The bus was now packed and after one last check on my property to ensure it was all locked up; we were ready to set off. It was a 24 seated coach we were on and although there were only three of us on the coach, Betty Lesley, and myself the rest of it was packed with luggage. Why is it that whenever women go on holiday, they have to take almost their entire wardrobe with them? I only had one suitcase, but the women had three each and one contained just shoes!

Behind us, Mark and Tina with Baby Jodie followed and even their car was full with luggage. What they hadn't been able to pack, they had placed on the bus.

'Are you going for a couple of months?' asked the driver laughingly as he climbed into his seat. 'Are you sure you have enough clothes with you?'

Betty shot him a glance and smiled. 'Well if we haven't, we can always buy more in Skegness.'

Soon we were on the motorway enjoying the scenery as the driver took it at a steady pace. Well there was no need to rush; we didn't need to be there until the afternoon. As we drove along with the wide open fields on either side of us we could see the occasional large farm buildings and every so often the farm smells would catch p to us and waft pungently passed our nostrils. Being a country lad, it didn't bother me at all. But both Betty and Lesley held their noses.

At one stage we passed a large building that stood prominently in the near distance. It was a large mansion, and used to form part of a castle. But with the walls long since gone, only the large house remained. Of course it was evident that it had been modernised, but the original ramparts and long slit windows remained and could still be clearly seen from the roadside. I began to think of the events that the property could conjure up of years gone past. It probably would have many tales to unfold.

After a three hour scenic journey, we finally arrived in Chapel St Leonard's. The hot sun was high in the clear blue sky as we alighted from the bus in front of our chalet. I just knew that it was going to be a great holiday. When everything was unloaded and I'd had my Cuppa, and placing on my Panama hat, I made a beeline for the secluded beach. The gentle concrete incline allowed me to get onto the sand without difficulty.

As I sat there with my fingers running through the sand, I closed my eyes and listened to the gentle lapping of the surf as it headed towards me, the tide was coming in. There was nothing to worry about; the tide only came so far up the beach. It was so relaxing, the sound of the surf, the gulls above me and a gently cool breeze coming from the wide-open ocean. As I faced the sea, to my right was a large crop of tall cliffs that jutted out into the water. At the bottom of the cliffs, a cave could clearly be seen. Although only a diver could access the cave as the lower half was continuously filled with water. When I was younger and able, I wouldn't have hesitated to explore it and find out what secrets it held, but now I could only imagine what the ocean placed there.

Gentle fingers replaced the sand and my hand was entwined with a mermaid's. I smiled as I knew it was Sarah, I couldn't have gone on holiday without her, it wouldn't have been the same, I would have been lonely. A gentle tug with her hand and I followed her into the sea. Farther and farther we went out into the blue green warm ocean. When we were deep enough, we dived and joined the marine life as we swum towards the seabed.

Sarah reached her hand into the soft silky sand and retrieved one of the most beautiful shells that I had seen in a long time, and she handed it to me. For quite a while we swam and frolicked underneath this oceanic paradise. The fish and sand crabs were amused and they stopped to watch us as we enjoyed ourselves. We swam along the coastline and entered an opening in the rocks. We ascended and suddenly our heads cleared the surface and for a moment, I wondered where I was. Then I realised that Sarah had brought me into the cave that I could see from the beach. With strong arms, she lifted me to the side of the cave and gently kissed me.

Hearing seagulls close to me, I opened my eyes to see two slashes of white on my trousers. The birds had bombed me! They obviously thought I was an easy target and decided that I was worth hitting. They must have decided that it was time I had a Cuppa, and wanted to let me know in the only way they could.

I knew that when a seagull craps on you, it is supposed to be lucky, so I thought my holiday was going to be just great!

As I set off back to the chalet to get changed, I reached into my pocket and retrieved an object; it was a beautiful seashell...

***

It was almost time for the cabaret, but first it was the children's 14 years old and under talent contest. Fifteen children were going on stage to entertain the customers and hopefully win themselves a coveted certificate and "Maid Marion" prize.

We got into the theatre early so as to get a good position to see all the acts. The theatre held almost two thousand people sitting an average of four to a table. It was divided into two sections. One section for parents and children, the other for adults who preferred to enjoy the show without children running around their feet.

The music played, and the compare came onto the stage to introduce the acts. After cracking a few jokes and singing a couple of songs, he introduced the first act of the talent competition.

I sat there and watched as one by one the children entertained us. After several acts had been on stage and we had applauded them, the compare came out and introduced the next person. So far there had not been anything special, but I admired the children for getting up and entertaining a couple of thousand strangers, they must have been really nervous.

The little 10-year-old girl came onto the stage. At first she stood there with the microphone in her hand and just stared in front of her. The spotlight was on her, so she couldn't see the audience at all, but she could hear them. The whole theatre went quiet and waited in anticipation as she stood there. It was as if she was waiting for everyone's attention. I sat up in my chair and looked at her. Somehow I knew that this young girl was no ordinary act. Maybe it was the way she waited, or the way she held herself, I don't know.

As soon as the theatre was quiet, she began to sing the song by "Bette Midler," "Hero," and when she finished she brought the house down and those who could, stood and gave her an ovation that I hadn't seen in a long while, she was brilliant.

Wiping the tears from my eyes, I applauded with the rest of them as they shouted "for more." She couldn't do another song, as they are only allowed one song each. But I knew who was going to win that competition, even though it was obvious to everyone in the theatre that she was a trained singer and probably had singing lessons from when she could first talk.

After hearing the young nightingale sing, the rest of the show seemed tame in compare. Secretly, I along with other's, was hoping that they would bring her back on, as she really touched the hearts of the audience.

When the show was over, I went outside. The dark cool air hit me. At first I gave a slight shiver, then being a true Yorkshireman, I soon got used to it. I travelled a short way along the coastline, passing the music and ringing bells from the gambling machines and a man shouting, informing people that there was still room inside if anyone fancied a flutter on the Lotto. Passing the hamburger and hotdog stand where the smell of onions was so overpowering it took away the smell of the fresh sea air. I knew where I was going.

Travelling along the lane at a steady pace, I soon left the music and noise behind me. 'Did you enjoy the show?' asked Sarah, as she lay stretched out on the rocks. She was facing me with her head resting on her left hand.

Back in the secluded cove, I knew she would be waiting.

She beckoned me to her, then as I drew near; she pointed to the small boat that was tied up nearby. While she dived into the water, I got as near as I could to the craft and waited. It wasn't too long before she was at my side and helped me into the boat. Where she was taking me, I didn't know, but I knew that wherever it was, I would like it.

The full moon shone brightly and all I could hear was the ripple of water as my little mermaid gently pulled me along. Occasionally I could see the white foam on the water as her tail made a gentle splash on the surface. Soon the lights of the holiday camp were far behind me. Resting in the boat, I was remembering the song the young girl had sung, "Did you ever know that you're my hero?" "You are the wind beneath my wings." These words were going around my head, when I suddenly found myself in the water.

The boat had turned over and I was unceremoniously tipped out. As my head broke the surface and my mouth gasped for air, I could hear laughter in the near distance and immediately a smile creased my features and I calmed down as I realised that Sarah had tired of pulling me and decided to have some fun. She came close to me and gently kissed my forehead. Then taking my hand I was once again taken down below towards the ocean bed.

Deeper and deeper she took me to the depths of what to her was home.

In the distant I could see small lights that grew in size as we swam nearer. We approached a structure, encrusted with barnacles and seashells. Without hesitation, Sarah took me through the front entrance and then upwards. My head once again broke surface, and I found myself in a well-lit cavern. This must have been the light's I had seen when being brought here.

Once again, with Sarah's help, I scrambled onto a ledge and after a few moments, my head cleared and I took stock of my surroundings. Everywhere there were nautical objects. Sailors sea chests, Ships Anchors, even a ships logbook, when on looking at it, I could see was dated 1812, plus many other objects including Indian artefacts. Though I found it strange to find Indian artefacts among seafaring equipment. Picking up some of the artefacts, I found they had strange writing on them.

Going over to one of the chests, I opened it to find everything that I would ever need to sail and navigate a boat should it ever become necessary.

Feeling a hand on my arm, I turned to see Sarah waiting patiently as I had been in awe of her belongings. Sitting at her side she took me in her arms and we kissed with a passion that would have made "Casanova" jealous.

As I was a little tired, I lay down and was soon asleep.

'Wake up sleepy head, we're off to Skegness town, to the main promenade.'

Looking around my room, at first I was a little disappointed, but my face lit up as I remembered the previous night, and I hoped the little girl would win the contest, just so that I could hear her sing again, we would know the results on Friday.

'Come on dad,' said Lesley. 'There's a big parade on today and we don't want to miss it.'

After breakfast, we went by pony and trap to Skegness centre. Taking the scenic route, it took a little longer than the usual twenty minutes. As we approached the main promenade, the music from all the amusements and funfairs rang in my ears and the smells of a variety of cooked foods mixed not unpleasantly with the abundance of seafood on offer by vendors. The sun was high in the sky and I could feel the heat on my arms ands knew it was time for the sun cream.

Everywhere as far as the eye could see, were thousands of holidaymakers enjoying themselves. We headed for the beach, which was already packed, but we wanted little Jodie to have some fun with the sand.

Settling down on the golden brown beach, I helped Jodie build a sandcastle, and her gentle laughter rang sweetly in my ears. As I dug into the sand, I came up against something hard. Carefully clearing around the object, I retrieved it and after cleaning it up immediately recognised it as an Indian arrowhead. My attention was momentarily diverted to the ocean a few yards away as I heard my name being called, I waved and a moment later turned to see little Jodie waving also, had she seen what I had just seen?

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