The temperatures were into the nineties all last weekend – very hot! We had arranged to have a picnic with friends on Sunday and decided to go to the beach at Breakheart Reservation. This is a beautiful spot not far from us where we have taken some lovely walks, both in the winter and spring.
Come Memorial Day weekend a lot of the seaside and inland beaches ‘open for business’ – that is, lifeguards at the weekends and restroom/refreshment facilities are provided. Once the school holidays start, most of these beaches will have lifeguards on duty seven days a week.
The boys have never swum outside before – the weather in Scotland is not all that conducive to outdoor bathing, particularly in the sea/lochs! And, although I have many memories of childhood swims in the North Sea, I wouldn’t dream of doing it now :)
As soon as we arrived the boys headed straight for the water. Now that summer has ‘officially’ started the swimming area in the lake has been ringed off, and it is fairly shallow, visible and safe. With either me or my husband on watch in the water, the boys were able to explore the area next to where we were sitting freely.
Seeing them walk into a warm, fresh water lake in the sunshine was just wonderful. And they loved it, we were there for a few hours and apart from a quick lunch, they spent the entire time in the water!
There was of course much splashing!
Lunch was a fantastic picnic. Our friends were more organised than us and had a gorgeous picnic set with them (and very tasty homemade quiche!) so the adults were able to have a very civilised picnic at one end of the blankets, with a free for all with bread, cheese, ham and sandwiches that we had brought at the other end for the kids!
And yes, that is the wee girl attempting to eat a strawberry with a knife and fork… Anything the boys can do, she can do better :)
All three of them had a great time – the 6yo in particular loved it. He really enjoys swimming and was in his element.
We’ve had lots of wonderful days since we moved here, and some amazing outdoor adventures. But this day, to use my 4yo’s favourite phrase was the ‘best day ever!’. Seeing the kids swimming outside, in such beautiful surroundings was really quite magical. Thankfully, this beach is only about a ten minute drive from our house. And, next time, I’ll be in there with them :)
I am linking up with the wonderful Coombe Mill’s Country Kids again this week. This is such a fab linky – encouraging us all to get outside with the kids and enjoy our surroundings. Click on the badge to see what everyone else has been up to!
I am also linking up with the wonderful Magic Moment linky, hosted this week by the lovely Victoria!
Aw Sara what beautiful pictures again. It looks like the boys had an absolute ball, swimming in a warm lake would be brilliant. I too have given up on dips in North Sea, even my girls are not keen! Your wee girls face in the strawberry eating picture is priceless x
Thanks Nichola :) The boys loved it! And there’s definitely a not of a difference between a sun warmed lake and the North Sea :) The wee girl is a very determined little girl…!
oh that looks like the perfect Summers Day. So jealous you can swim outside. We’d probably get hypothermia swimming in our local river :D. great photos
Thank you! It was a perfect day :) Next time I’m definitely going in too!
such lovely photos, so jealous that you can swim in open water. what a fabulous thing for the kids to experience. Love your cute little girl too :)
Thank you Sarah x I’m so glad the boys have the chance to do this – they loved it!
I love swimming. And even though I look disgusting in a bathing suit – I’m getting one and heading to Jenkin’s Beach – thanks for the push!
You’re welcome :) It was a lovely day!
I am sure children have a different body temperature to us, mine are just the same and jump in the river here at Coombe Mill or the sea at every opportunity. That does look like an idyllic day all round and one I think you will remember for ever. Thank you for sharing on Country Kids and for the lovely mention of my linky.
You’re very welcome Fiona, thanks for hosting such a lovey linky :) I’m sure the boys would have jumped in whatever the temperature, but it was actually quite pleasant – even I could be tempted to join them!
That looks so much fun. Great pictures.
Thank you :)
That lake looks amazing, what a good idea to rope it off and make it safe for kids. The picnic looks lovely too :)
It is isn’t it? They have lifeguards keeping an eye from the beach and someone out on the lake too. It felt very safe. Thanks for commenting xx
Wow it looks absolutely amazing there, gorgeous photos too Sara *packs suitcase*
Thank you :) It is stunning – one of my favourite spots so far. Thank you for commenting xx
Ahh it looks like you had a great day. I wish we lived a bit closer to the beach! Xx
We lived quite close to a beach in Edinburgh – but it was WAY too cold to enjoy it like this! Thank you for commenting xx
How fabulous to have that so close to you, it looks beautiful and the lovely clear shallow water is perfect for kids. Wish we had that in Surrey! Proper little lady with table manners and everything! x
I do feel very lucky to have this on my doorstep. It did feel very safe with the kids, it was lovely. Proper little madam more like :) She’s a real mimic – copies everything the boys do, it’s very sweet, and very funny!
Looks amazing – wish it was nearly that war here!! xx
The weather is definitely a bonus, although it is chucking it down as I write this! Thanks for reading xx
Gorgeous pictures, what a lovely spot. Can’t believe your kids never swan outside in Scotland! I remember swimming in the river Tilt in Blair Athol as a kid (I may have lost a toe or two to frost bite though! :-D) It is lovely swimming in the fresh water lakes and it feels so much cleaner than the north sea!
It is beautiful – one of my favourite places so far :) And, it’s terrible that they’d never swum outside (apart from at Center Parcs, very briefly!) – but there really would have been a risk of frostbite with the weather we’ve had in recent years! I used to swim at North Berwick on holiday when I was a kid – freezing!
It looks so idyllic. And to think temperatures in the 90s. Can only dream of that here. The picnic looks enchanting too. Happy days.
Very happy – such simple pleasures – beach and a picnic, so lovely to see kids enjoy it so much :) Thanks for reading xx
That does look fun! I don’t see us heading to the water here in Scotland! I’m just starting to get the hang of picnics but I doubt I will invest in any proper gear…fingers and napkins I’m afraid :) So glad it was the “best day ever” definitely a magic moment!
Yeah, we arrived with sandwiches in ziploc bags and a kitchen roll for plates/napkins :) It was rather nice to have a plate though! I haven’t been in the water in Scotland since holidays in North Berwick as a child :)
Oh wow looks like your little ones had an amazing time, would love to take my little man wild/outdoor swimming and this place looks perfect for that! Also that picnic looks so yummy, great photos :)
Just stopping over from country kids
Laura x
It was such a great experience for them – and one we’ll be able to repeat – just fantastic! It is a beautiful setting. Thanks for stopping by xx
It looks like you had a fantastic time – splashing is of course obligatory when in water ;). That picnic looks wonderful too. Thanks for linking to Magic Moments xx
A good time was had by all – with lots of splashing! Thanks for hosting Magic Moments in Jaime’s absence :)
Now this looks like a perfect day sunshine, sea and strawberries, yummy :)
sorry i’m late stopping by, been a mad week for catching up …
No worries, I know that feeling! It was a lovely day :)