A Monthly Publication

Minister of Union Church

 Recently I did something that I very rarely do. It was a warm sunny day with a more than ideal amount of wind.  But we had two of our grandsons staying with us, it was my day off and they begged to spend a day on the beach.  So down to the beach we went, found a couple of deck chairs and set up camp for the day.  The boys spent hours digging a personalised Lido for their own enjoyment and later for any child on the beach who desired a warm place to dip themselves. 

Sitting there with towels and drying tee shirts blowing in the wind fastened to our deck chairs it reminded me of the days when my grandparents would keep watch as I played on northern beaches at holiday times.  My preferred head gear was a little different to the knotted handkerchief that Grandad seemed to prefer!  A £5 cowboy hat bought in Hunstanton kept the sun from burning my head.

 The beach is a very interesting place to be I soon rediscovered.  Various family groups doing just as we were doing soon turned into a regular little community of people seeking to enjoy what many of us in Hunstanton simply take for granted.  After been prised out of my deckchair to help in the construction of a rather impressive castle with tunnels and moat and then dragged off to buy ice creams for the tired engineers we set about having our picnic.  At least the bags would be lighter going back.  A great day was had by all rounded off with a tub of mussels which I enjoyed much to the disgust of grandchildren and wife! 

As I looked over my shoulder on leaving this wonderful playground I saw the numerous works of art built by many children (and adults) the holes once inhabited by cricket stumps where test matches had taken place, the tracks made by a variety of ponies rode by children with faces full of amazement and joy all bearing testimony to a day on Hunstanton Beach.  The incoming tide would wash over the lot and in the morning it would be just as it was this morning, an expanse of flat wet sand waiting to be enjoyed tomorrow.  As usual I finish with a verse from the Bible.  Picturing a beach as representing the love and compassion of God.   The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. His mercies begin afresh each morning.    New every morning.  Lamentations 3 v 22 & 23 NLT