The Trundle's put great stock in tradition. Ours may seem a little stranger than most but they are no less in value and we are no less fervent in our commitment to them because they are mundane and easily missed...
I type this from an Internet cafe in Lindos, on the Greek island of Rhodes. Our love affair with the islands continues. Apologies friends for being so lax in my blogging but with a week in South Africa, a few days respite and hard work in Chi and then off to Greece on the 'final' Trundle family holiday (our third) I've found it hard to make the time to funnel my thoughts through nimble fingers.
I was lying on the beach today, gazing across the bay and wondering how to break my cyber silence. The solution came to me as I watched my brother step out of the sea. Our family traditions, more specifically how we interact abroad.
The traveling customs aside (Dad must always hold the passports, don't expect more than a grunt from Adam and find Mum a cup of tea if you value your life) there is a definite way we go about relaxing together. We are professional beach bums, sun worshippers with a conscience (Steve - I've been re-applying every hour and out of the sun for the hottest part of the day ;) and we have beach life down to a fine art.
As always our first day comprised of us assessing the local sunbed trade to mark our targets for the coming few weeks and everyone mocking my tried and tested sunbathing system only to surreptitiously copy my every move. Hmmm... As we noisily introduced ourselves to the local life aquatic Adam launched into his repetoir of diving on our heads screeching "I save you! I save you", making sure he's got us between him and any potential sharks hoping to find a handy toothpick and pulling out our age old repetoir of film quotes, songs and standard jokes.
There have been some surprising new material, I have graduated from 'two big floats' to 'Special K' due to my red sun dress. Lisa and Adam have fallen in love with the mighty boosh and I've learnt to hold my breath any time Adam's near me.
Though predictable these are some of the most relaxing days in my year, there's no-one to impress, no task to fulfill only lazy days lying on the beach eating fruit and Greek salad. There's only one thing missing. My family has expanded in the last year and I'm feeling the absence of Steve. In truth he would probably find out determined inactivity boring, and it is nice to have a goodbye to the way things have been, but I miss him and know that when I get home I have no more trips abroad between now and the Wedding. xc