A couple of months ago I read a request on Linda Jones’ website ‘Have a Lovely Time’ for women who would be willing to share their memories of childhood family holidays. One specific holiday type they were researching was the package holiday to the Mediterranean from the 1970s. I had only recently posted a photo of a 5 year old, nut-brown me pretending to paddle on a Majorcan beach for the Young At heart Photo Meme so I thought this category fitted me particularly well.
So began a fortnight of meandering through my childhood memories, accompanied by an enthusiastic mum who became my researcher. Mum hunted through albums at home to find suitable photos and helped to jog my memory. She bundled up the pics and sent them off to me so I could sift through them and find good ones to scan. My memories of dates and locations were patchy but Mum was fantastic, reminding me which hotel we went to which year and even how much the holidays cost. Left to my own devices, my own recollections of these years started to trickle back to me. I remembered a cine-film my Dad took when he raced off the plane first so he could capture me coming down the steps dressed in my stripey poncho and sombrero, carrying castanets and maracas.
Olivia, the journalist writing the article, was very happy with the photos and the email detailing my stories. She arranged to interview me by telephone a week later. We had a great chat and I babbled on, not quite sure how useful the information I was giving her actually was. She assured me the magazine, which I was now told would be Prima, were pleased with the photos and my inclusion in her article would go ahead.
Last week Mum rang me to say her subscription copy of the July issue of Prima had arrived. I was slightly nervous about her reaction as my memories had included adults getting sozzled on local cocktails and children running around on the beach all day with hardly a Factor 2 to protect them. Fearful Social Services might pay her a retrospective visit, I hoped she would take it all in good part. She did! She was so excited as there is a whole page devoted to our family recollections, surrounded by the snaps she had helped choose for me.
Mum and Dad are celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 6 June so we visited them this weekend. The magazine article became a focus for the celebrations: “Oh look at your brother in his football kit!”, “What a handsome chap your dad is?, “Wow, Mum, that dress is gorgeous!” I was so thrilled that my blogging, which began as a personal diary, would lead to something like this which I had no idea would bring such pleasure to my family.
We travelled back last night with a teeny stripey poncho in the boot: Mum had kept it all these years.
So hunt out the July copy of Prima (it should hit the shops this week) and turn to the Summer Special section. You will see the lovely Linda in a beauty parade at Butlins on page 70 and my own story on page 72.
How cool, I will have to buy a copy now!
Good for you – whatg a wonderful way to preserve all those memories for posterity (and make some new ones)!
That's fantatstic! Isn't it wonderful the places your writing can take you. Will def be buying Prima this week!
@TheMadHouse, @Steve, @Tattie –
I'm so chuffed about it. I think my parents are even more delighted. And you're right, Tattie, the blogging/writing opens up so many interesting doors. Even more pleased that they mentioned my blog in the article!
Oh wow, this is fabulous! I'm not surprised you're chuffed!!
CJ xx
Well done girl! I can assure you that your parents were not alone in their sun protection theories. My mum used to just buy after sun…hmm.
@CJ – indeed I am!
@Sooz – my mum was just the same – lather me in after sun to cool me down but send me out in the roasting sun the next day!
I've just gone through old photos for my son who wants to put together a montage for his wedding. It is a great way to reminisce! I shall look out for Prima!
Hehe – great stuff! Loved your feature and delighted that the request from the lovely Olivia ended up with you and me featured! It just shows how much love can go into such a piece and I hope Olivia takes heart to know that her piece has inspired such happy memories.
I think the fact that I didn't finish anywhere in that "beauty" line up may have scarred me for life and I sought solace in the biscuit tin. My early foreign holiday memories mainly consist of my mum being three sheets to the wind and on one occasion, venturing into the mixed sex loos and taking far too long, pointing and laughing. Yeah, thanks Mum!
That's such a great story – what a terrific outcome. And you got the poncho to boot. It is lovely to think that your blog has started off a lovely family reminisce. And look at you chugging down the old vino there! Bought Grazia today. Will have to buy Prima tomorrow.
Hey Trish – it's Olivia! So pleased you liked it. Btw I'm not a PR, I'm a journalist, writing for Prima among other mags – just to set the record straight! 🙂 xx
How fabulous!
Send your P's my congrats please!
Now I know where my brother gets his colouring from. Sister and I are ghostly white but he goes dark brown as soon as the sun comes out. We were blaming the milkman for a long time. Never thought about the Conway connection.
I can't get Prima in Bahrain, but I'm sure the article is fab – congratulations on your first foray into journalism!!
Damn, won't get to see the article but well done you. xx
@Olivia – so sorry about that. No idea why I referred to you as a PR as I had already had a look at your website and seen where you had been published. I have altered the wording of my post accordingly. Many thanks once again for putting it together.
@deerbaby – Did you go back and get the Prima then? Well worth it, despite having forked out for Grazia the day before! Sorry x
@Libby – Thanks. It does feel good x
@Kate – I was delighted with Olivia's article abut me; you never know where these things can lead.
@VB – I'll photograph the page for you when I get my own copy and email it if you like?
@Expat Mum – does your brother look like a wizened old prune like me then? So pleased his parentage has now been accepted haha!
One of the most enjoyable vacation is to decide which bit of tourist tat. A universal pleasure that grow desperate to choose something you will remember forever and show care for your children in years to come.
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