Happy Monday everyone - hope you've all had a great start to the week!
The photo above was taken in February 1977 at Pambula Beach in NSW. I am sitting on my Dad's boat holding the first fish I ever caught by myself [in saying that, I'm sure I had a little help from my Dad ;-)] Every summer we would spend the Christmas holidays camping at Pambula Beach, Dad would go out fishing whenever he could and us kids couldn't wait to have a turn! Dad's boat never got a name, they could never decide what to call it. Dad used to joke that he was going to name it "The Boat" and get it painted on the side! He never did though, and to this day, it remains unnamed but very much loved!
When it was our turn to go, we had to get up early when it was still dark. We put on our 'fishing clothes' that we had laid out the night before. We had to whisper and climb into the car holding the doors not quite closed until we had left the caravan park then we could safely slam the door shut. I remember feeling excited to be spending some special time with my Dad, I remember the wind in my hair as we sped across the glassy surface of the river, on our way out to the bay. I remember looking down at the dark water and feeling a little nervous about what was beneath me.
Still to this day, I have a terrible fear of sharks, having seen them in the water on many of our fishing trips. I am trying not to pass this fear on to my children. I may be failing at that.
In fact, I'm fairly certain I am :D *shudder*
This photo evokes many memories, but probably the strongest one is the love I have for my Dad. I think he secretly loved that his little girl loved fishing, and although fishing was definitely 'men's business' in the 70's, he always made me feel special whenever I ventured out on the seas with him.
What special memories do you have of your Dad? I'd love to hear what you all got up to :-)
Bye for now!
xx
K
Oh so sweet, you just look so proud. My special thing with my Dad has always been skiing (he was a ski instructor) - we used to take off on trips just the two of us and chat, chat, chat as we went up the chair lifts. Like you, we'd often set off in the dark, which just made it even more of an adventure - I miss skiing (I followed Dad's footsteps and become an instructor too) but I hope one day to teach my kids, just as my Dad taught me :)
ReplyDeletethis is such a special photo ♥ your smile says it all. my Mum & Dad got divorced when i was about 3 or 4 so i divided my time between 2 homes. dad also had a boat and used to take us water skiing and fishing in the summer. i remember helping to salt the Snapper fillets :) and my brother chasing me around with the huge, orange ocean crabs we had caught. they still terrify me to this day xo
ReplyDeleteSo seventies...so adorable! :) Our 'together' thing was hockey games. They'd always come on after we kids had gone to bed but I'd hear Dad making popcorn and the sound of the game starting on the television. That was my cue to get up for a "glass of water" and on my way back to bed he'd always ask me if I wanted to watch the game for a bit with him. I was totally in it for the popcorn :) but I learned the game and all of the players of the day and hockey nights became a bond between Dad and I. Thanks for the memories Kristen! :)
ReplyDeleteThere's that gorgeous smile! I loved fishing and crabbing with my dad. He taught me how to fillet a fish and clean a mudcrab - he said you had to learn how to do these things to fully appreciate the meal. Thank you for sharing ♥
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