Family Day Out

Baby seal chillin' at Donna Nook

I love spending time with my special people and today was one of those special days. Tamara has been poorly all week and I've had one of those insanely busy weeks. Loads to do at school and brass band rehearsals 4 nights this week. It's all taken its toll on both my poorly girl and Jack who's missed his bedtime stories from me. So this morning when we woke I expected a day at home giving Tamara chance to build some strength and Jack time to play with me. However, Tamara had other ideas. Not shopping! She gently but firmly encouraged me to take us to Donna Nook to go and see the annual spectacular that is the birth of hundreds of baby seals. None of us have ever been before and I was intrigued. So after my protestations about Tamara being out in the cold off we went, armed with a camera and a football.

On the way there we decided to stop at a fish and chip shop for some lunch, We saw Dolphin chippy in Sutton on Sea and enjoyed a lovely meal there. Then on to Donna Nook.
I really didn't expect what we saw when we got there. The first thing that struck me was just how many cars were there. When we finally found a space to park we ventured over the dunes. The strangest sound emanated over the dunes and I begun to realise just how many seals were there. We got to the fence that separated us from the stars of the moment and marvelled at the sight of hundreds of seals with their pups littered over the vast expanse of beach. I wondered how long it would take a seal to waddle the great distance from the sea to their nurturing place. And so many people came to watch with us. It did make me feel a bit strange and I wondered how the seals felt about us staring at them. My question was soon answered as we walked a little further down the pathway and we saw a young pup looking extremely content lying on his/her back. I think the little thing must have been dreaming as it jumped and jerked in its sleep. Jack was fascinated by the little creature and watched waiting to see it move. When it eventually opened its eyes it seem to look straight at us then shuffled around and promptly broke wind, which sent chuckles down the line of onlookers. All three of us thoroughly enjoyed this amazing spectacular and I'm sure we'll go back next year.

Now it was Jack's request to play football on the beach, so we jumped into the car after negotiating the dunes once more, and off to Mablethorpe beach. I love to see Jack running around and laughing and jumping with joy. It's such a delight to see him smile. I remember a line from one of Michael Cards songs that reads, "I would wander weary miles, would welcome ridicule my child, to simply see the sunrise of your smile..." How true those words are. Both Tamara and I feel so lucky to be able to share our lives with this fabulous gift of love that we see in Jack.

My day ended with a performance at New Day Christian Centre in Skegness. I had to leave my poorly girl and sleepy boy behind which left me feeling a little sad, but I had a fabulous time with the good folk at New Day who were busy raising money for The Storehouse a new home for the New Day fellowship. I hope they enjoyed the music I shared with them and wish them success in their vision to be a centre for revival in Skegness.

When I got home I was expecting to see my wonderful family watching the X-factor, instead Jack was fast asleep in bed and Tamara was dozing, watching the X-factor in our bedroom. I am such a lucky man to have these two special people in my life. They give me joy daily and I can't imagine being without them. I loved our family day out. I long for our next special day like today.