Suggested by Joy: Which fictional character (or group of characters) would you like to spend a day at the beach with? Why would he/she/they make good beach buddies?
Now that's a question that requires some thinking... Not what book I'd like to spend a day at the beach with, but what character from the fictional world...!
First of all, it was a long time since I spent a whole day at the beach. In fact it has been a long time since I spent a whole day anywhere away from home. Part of the day is another matter. But this summer - and in fact a few summers back - all I've done at any beach or lakeside is really to walk along it, take a few photos, maybe sit down on a bench or rock for a few minutes and contemplate.
Varberg on the West Coast of Sweden, 2001
Back in the days when I did sometimes spend a whole day at the beach at a seaside resort, my literary company would often be some crime mystery novel. I'm not sure I would dare bring any of those detectives with me in real life, though, since that would most likely just mean trouble! If I had to choose one of them, I think it would be Miss Marple. We would sit in comfortable deck chairs in the shadow of some tree - she knitting, and I just resting - and watch people and draw conclusions about them. If she spotted something interesting, I could get up and take a photo, just in case we might find ourselves in need of evidence later. She'd probably have a pair of binoculars rather than a camera; pretending to watch birds rather than people.
Whitley Bay, English North Sea Coast, 1971
If I wanted male company, I'd choose Lord Peter Wimsey. You may notice I take an old-fashioned British attitude to beach life. I think they had the right idea. Deck-chairs and fully dressed. Perhaps just a daring bare-foot walk along the shore to feel the water wet your feet. Anyway, other advantages of inviting Lord Peter would be that he would drive me in his car, and Bunter would come along and serve lunch, and sort out the deck chairs and umbrellas and things. And if Peter and I wanted a moment alone, Bunter could go and chat with Miss Marple. I'm sure they'd find plenty to talk about.
There. I think I have my day at the beach all set. I just really hope no one dies. A minor mystery of a disappearing piece of jewellry or something would be excitement enough.
I am totally with you! When can we leave? I loathe the thought of swimming in the sea, perhaps to step on a jellyfish or something unpleasant. Yet I love the beach. Oh, your delightful story sounds like heaven! We would set up very comfortable lawn chairs and unbrellas, and of course have a cooler with us. And watch the children building sand castles, leaving once in a while to search for sea glass, tiny crabs, and walk the shoreline. Then we would return home to say how exhausted we were! Forget the character from a novel, I'm going with you!!
I love Miss Marple! But probably wouldn't read it at the beach, but in the winter, snuggled underneath a blanket. The beach...when I stay there for 3 hours it's long, unless it's after 4:30 pm, when it's not so hot anymore:)
10 comments:
Since I'm not a beach kind of a person it would have to be people who could keep me entertained.
I am totally with you! When can we leave? I loathe the thought of swimming in the sea, perhaps to step on a jellyfish or something unpleasant. Yet I love the beach. Oh, your delightful story sounds like heaven! We would set up very comfortable lawn chairs and unbrellas, and of course have a cooler with us. And watch the children building sand castles, leaving once in a while to search for sea glass, tiny crabs, and walk the shoreline. Then we would return home to say how exhausted we were! Forget the character from a novel, I'm going with you!!
Wonderful answer! Those two would be the perfect choice. Now if Hercule Poirot could just show up for a while, it would be even more entertaining!
am i the only one that can't read this? I can see the photos but the words are all in a single line down the side of the page and can't be read.
Great food for thought! I would choose Jo from Little Women or Anne from Anne of Green Gables.
Great choice! You not only chose someone interesting to got to the beach with, but you got to time travel too!
Here's my response: http://harrischanningauthor.blogspot.com/
Oh what fun! I had the same decision making process, because I love mysteries but wouldn't want one to happen at the beach.
I went for scifi instead.
http://elizabethwillse.com/2010/07/29/booking-through-thursday-at-the-beach/
Wow, you really took the time in making your answer. Mine was a little bit more simplistic. Here’s mine
I love Miss Marple! But probably wouldn't read it at the beach, but in the winter, snuggled underneath a blanket.
The beach...when I stay there for 3 hours it's long, unless it's after 4:30 pm, when it's not so hot anymore:)
I find hypothetical questions like that very difficult to contemplate. I'd go with your choice of Miss Marple though. Quite inspired.
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