It has to be the year when my family and I went to Hastings for 2 weeks. More than just 'Buckets and Spades'. It rained often and we rented an old seafarers cottage just short stroll away from the town. Even today,that sea salt aroma stirs many memories of my time spent there.
We whiled away many an hour down at the seafront with amusements in the penny arcade, eating fresh crab or fish and chips, the fairground attractions and the like. My favourite attraction had to be the ornamental mini put-put golf links, it was always a laugh and a lot of fun putting our skills to good use.
It was very colourful and exciting and there was always something happening, from tiptoeing over the hard pebbles for a paddle in the sea, to humorously watching other bathers swiftly move their belongings away when the tide came in.
What made this holiday so special to me, was that it was the last holiday we had together as a family. I was 12 years old and becoming a teenager, soon after that I wanted to be 'cool' and just holiday and hang out with my friends and peers. My brother, who is 4 years older than me, began working and soon after, moved away and my grandmother peacefully passed away shortly after my brother left home to find work. So it was never the same after that.
Although the location may not be as exotic as a Mediterranean resort or a palm-fringe Caribbean island. It was the most memorable and most cherished holiday I have ever had.