article by John McGee

back to main list of stories and articles

AT THE BEACH

They both stayed near the beach and had a child each, both boys, who were about to start school after the summer holidays and so they decided to spend the weekend at the beach.  They packed up on the Thursday night remembering swimsuits, buckets and spades, beach balls, sandwiches and other accessories.  Joe and Tom were excited when they were told that they were going to the beach for the weekend.  Jan and Kim, the two mums, were excited as well to see the boys so happy.

They went by bus and the boys sat near the windows while the two mums sat behind them. It was a short journey and the boys talked excitedly about what they could see out of the window. When they arrived at the beach they saw the donkeys and couldn’t wait to have a ride. Next they had a go on the big dipper with their mums. After that they had a boat ride round the bay but by this time it was getting dark and most of the fair was about to shut. It was time to find a good, dry place to put up the tent.

Both mums got out ground sheets and sleeping bags and with the boys’ help, the tent was soon pitched. The boys got their torches and with no TV to watch or radio to listen to, the only thing to do was to talk.  The mums spoke about what they would do in the morning and the boys listened excitedly. Soon they were so tired they crept in to their sleeping bags and went to sleep.   

Kim, Joe’s mum, was the first to wake.  It was just about sunrise so Kim got dressed and decided to make breakfast for everyone. She had to go outside to set up the camp stove.  Unzipping the tent entrance she stepped out, stretched her arms and inhaled the frosty air. She was just about to look for a good place to set up the stove when, all of a sudden, she noticed a big black round shape about twenty feet away from her. What is it, she thought? She ran back into the tent to waken Jan. “Come quickly! Come outside!" she shouted. Jan woke with a shout of fright and got up straight away. Both mums went outside to see what was wrong. “What is it?” asked Jan. “I don’t know,” said Kim. “Let’s go and find out,” said Jan.

They both went closer to find out what it was. Very soon they realised it was a big whale and it was stranded there. “How would it have got there?” asked Kim. “Maybe when the tide came in late last night.” replied Jan. “But how is it going to get back to sea?” asked Kim. “The tide is very low and it is such a warm day to be stranded. And the tide may not come in until late this evening.” “Yes, you are right; we must do something to help it.” So they went back and woke the boys up. They got dressed and they all went to help. The boys took their buckets and spades with them. Kim and Jan took their mobile phones with them.

The two boys were surprised to see such a big sea creature and asked if they should fetch some water to help. “That is a good idea,” said their mums and so the two boys fetched the water in their buckets. “Perhaps we can dig a trench around the whale," sad Kim to Jan," and fill it with water.” And so they started to do just that. Back and forth the boys went fetching water, filling up the trench with water. This was very tiring and it was very hot so they were going to need more help. Jan remembered her husband’s emergency number and called him and explained the situation both her and Kim’s husband worked together as special rescue men with the RAF. They both were helicopter pilots on board the same helicopter and were on duty together. A short time later they arrived at the beach with their rescue team the boys were very surprised to see their dads. “Hello, boys” said their dads, hugging them. “What are we going to do?” asked the boys. “It will be all right.” said their dads.” We will soon have it back in the water again.” “Can we help?” asked the boys.  “Not this time, boys, I’m afraid.  Besides, you and your mums have done a very good job up until now.”  So Jack, who was Joe’s dad, asked the boys and their mums to take a break.

Ed, who was Jan’s husband, took the boys and their mums to the tent and returned back to Jack and their crew. It was a six man crew and so they had to decide on what to do to get the whale back in to the water as soon as possible. Jack and Ed planned out their rescue. They got out a large canvas, straps and shovels and with the help of their crew they began digging just below the whale’s body. They slipped the canvas straps under its body and lowered the winch down, hooked up the straps to the winch and gently lifted the whale safely back out sea. It was a success for the rescue and after the task the captain of the RAF awards gave their fathers the rest of the weekend off as a reward.  This meant that the men could be with their wives and their boys for a couple of days. Both men returned to the beach and were reunited with their families. This made them all very happy indeed and so they decided to return home early to spend some time at Ed’s house.  They threw a small party to celebrate getting the whale safely back into the sea again.

They had a barbecue in the garden with plenty of drinks and music.  They danced around and played party games all evening - this made the boys very tired.  As the time was getting on their mums decided that they should go to bed because they had to start school in the morning, so they said their goodnights.  “See you at school in the morning!” said the mums. “Yes, yes!” said the dads.  “Yes, yes!” said the boys. This meant that both mums and dads could see the boys start school for the first time.

John McGee

Webmaster replies

Thanks John.

The story flows well and is a pleasure to read.   

The only thing that was not probable was the RAF giving the fathers time off!

Can I safely assume that the story is not based on something that actually happened to you? Let me know.

Contact us and tell us what you think about John's seaside adventure.

John replied to my question. Here is what he said.

On the Beach is all made up, not real life.

Thanks John.