Our Sepia Saturday prompt this week sees a charming young lady sat on a beach. My contribution is a picture of my father and my brother, feet in seawater, enjoying the invigorating effects of the North Sea on their extremities. Some may shout about the benefits of steaming spa pools, others may pay tribute to the soothing properties of Epsom Salts or Detoxifying Essential Oils, but if you want to turn a boy into a man, let him dangle his feet in the freezing cold waters of Bridlington Bay. The picture must have been taken in about 1950, and I suspect it was taken in Bridlington which was the holiday resort of choice for our family at the time. Other than the slightly sloping horizon, it is a surprisingly good photograph and I wonder whether it might have been taken by my Uncle Harry (see my post from yesterday) who would often accompany us on holiday along with his wife, my fathers' sister, Annie. And if it was taken by Uncle Harry, it would complete a neat family triangle, because I have to confess that the bathing belle in the prompt photograph is my fathers' other sister, Miriam.
If you are fed up with my family (and I wouldn't blame you) paddle on over to the Sepia Saturday Blog and take a look at loads of other contributions to this weeks' Sepia Saturday, none of which will feature any more of my uncles or aunts.
you look so cute, is absolutely nice pictures I love sepia Saturday, have a nice weekend Alan!
ReplyDeleteThey look like they are really enjoying the cold North sea water. My wife had to try wading in the Arctic ocean in the Beaufort sea.
ReplyDeleteNow you know why I never learned to swim! My high school years were spent in Bridlington and Flamborough, before Brid ever had a swimming pool. I could never see the fun in getting into a swim suit in cold temperatures and getting into FREEZING water!
ReplyDeleteThere is so much joy in this photo. I have many happy memories of childhood days at the beach in our home town of Bridlington before my family migrated to Australia. Thanks Alan.
ReplyDeleteEven if the water was cold, they didn't seem to mind. They might have made perfect participants in Polar Plunge events.
ReplyDeleteI take it that they had to roll up their pants and these are not bathing suits, but why would you need a bathing suit if you were only "strolling" in the frigid waters....lovely clear photo. Your family must have cared deeply for the pictures, for everyone you post seems to be pristine clear!! Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteHow cute is that?
ReplyDeleteI always love your family photos.
Dee at Shakin' the Family Tree
I can vouch for the cold feeling of the North Sea at Bridlington, Scarborough and all points north to Aberdeen. Paddling, well watching others, at Saltburn is the nearest I get these days. Rolled up trouser legs that was the height of fashion - all that your father was missing is a knotted handkerchief on his head.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful picture! I knew it was your Dad right away, though I wasn't sure if it was you or your brother standing alongside him. The ocean water of the Oregon Coast is freezing too, and I know what you mean. We would still go in up to our knees, no matter the weather, but only once in my life can I remember it being hot enough outside that it felt good to get all the way in.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and choosing this subject. It has brought up so many memories.
Kathy M.
Love the photo! You're describing my childhood seaside memories - Brid, Scarborough, Cleethorpes - and I can still feel that North Sea chill....
ReplyDeleteGreat photo! They seem to be enjoying themselves, even in the very cold water.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the quality of the photo - some of those old photos are so crisp!
ReplyDeleteYour father has a lovely face.
Wearing a sweater vest (we would call it so in the USA) to the beach. Yes, there must have been a chill breeze too. you Brits are tough!
ReplyDeleteAs the saying goes, "If you wear a sweater while wading on the beach, you must live in Oregon --- or Bridlington.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone is at all tired of your family, Alan, when you produce this level of photo gems week after week. Or would that be North Seas amber?
ReplyDeleteJudging By The Grins ,the North Sea was warm that day (or was it Bravado?)Ah!The Lovely East Coast ! (I envey you......we always gravitated to the West Coast..Blackpool,+even then,it was a bit tacky in comparison!)
ReplyDeleteA lovely happy picture, full of memories.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely time they look like they're having!
ReplyDeleteAlan!WILDLY OFF TOPIC..but......Alan.The WYCIB(S)B could meet soon!I take it weekdays/during the day is best for you? I'm best most WEDS/THURSDAYs every week!I,m spoken for these weekdays this week (Phil x-Fireman is supping in Hebden Bridge) & the following week (in Salford at The Lowry seeing an exhibition of Peter Blake's with my mate Don.But the week after that Thursday 31st is possible for you???? If not , I'm open to alternative dates.Afternoon?????Who else would like to come????
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your family photos! Not tiresome at all and this is a good one!
ReplyDeleteI have a photo of my father in the water at Bridlington somewhere, but he didn't look as happy about it as you seemed to be.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy all your old photos! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful shot. I wish it was in color because I have a feeling it would be even more grand. And I can imagine that water. I hope there was some place nearby which was nice and warm. Then I think back about my trips to Britain and think, "Uh, no. They don't turn the heat on!"
ReplyDeleteAlthough Scheveningen is south east of Bridlington, I can still vouch for the fact that the North Sea can bl.... cold, even during summertime! So I admire the brave smile on your face, Alan.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing can beat an invigorating dip in the Atlantic! Just looking at your photo at Bridlington, my toes are curling up with the cold! You have not lived until you have braved the waves of an Atlantic beach!
ReplyDeleteOh, that water looks so cold. I can tell that your brother and father weren't planning on going in or else they would have packed their swimming trunks. The water must have been just too inviting. Brrrrr.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Made me think of the expression "cold feet." I guess you could say they got "cold feet" about "taking a plunge."
ReplyDeleteAlan, I've looked at hundreds and hundreds of Sepia Saturday photographs by now. Many have been fabulous images, but there are two that will stand out in my memory for years: this photo of your father and brother; and Square Sunshine's July 2010 post of his grandfather coming in for tea. These two photographs speak to me of family, of home, and of peace. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photo, Alan.
ReplyDeleteLove the outfits, so hard to imagine in this day and age. They look so happy!
ReplyDeleteI can see Roger's goose-pimples from here!
ReplyDeleteHaving done Nordic Baths myself, I am partial to cold waters for their invigorating effect. I somehow envy your father and bro, for the dip, but not their fashion!!!
ReplyDelete:)~
HUGZ