The Spanish on the Beach
For those who did not grow up beside the seaside, getting comfortable on the beach doesn’t always come naturally. Preparing for the beach is a major chore and when there are children involved it easily becomes a military operation. It amazes me when I see three generations of Spanish families enjoy an entire Sunday at the beach with their entire necessary home comforts. This will include tables and seating for all family members, numerous fridge boxes crammed with food and drink that flows continuously, miniature marquis for sun protected dining and in some cases a television or a whole leg of ham.
The British Struggle
So why is it, we struggle with a parasol, a bucket and spade and a couple of towels? Why do we make ourselves dizzy on arrival trying to apply sun cream, assemble the umbrella, inflate arm bands and lay towels out? How is that I always forget something whether it be water to drink or a child’s sun hat? It has been said time and time again that the Brits can be spotted a mile off. Not just because of their snow white skin rapidly reddening under the direct sun at midday but also because of the irritated expression on their squinting faces.
Beach Pro’s
I do admire those people who manage the beach so effortlessly. Their towels remain sandless and smooth all day whilst they happily skip in and out of the water at intervals without burning the soles of their feet on the hot sand. They can eat three courses without a single grain touching their lips and when they leave they are packed up in seconds and depart looking refreshed and could easily go from beach to evening out without stopping off at home.
Preparing in the UK
If you are planning a holiday to Spain and reading all the women’s magazines for some holiday inspiration you could end up overwhelmed by the volume of summer paraphernalia suggested that you buy in the shops. It’s enough to have a browse around Boots to end up feeling giddy with the amount of lotions and potions required to protect, tone and nourish every nook and cranny on the body. If you were to buy everything that is suggested for the perfect, risk free holiday you would most definitely need to pay its value in excess.
Below is a checklist of everything you should ever need on the beach in Spain if you follow the magazines:
Sun protection for face
Sun protection for body
Protection stick for lips
Hat/scarf or cap
Kaftan or wrap
Flip flops
Towel for drying
Towel for laying
Sunglasses
Parasol
Sunblock protection for hair
Leave-in conditioner for hair
Underwear to change into afterwards
Showergel
Chair
Magazine/books
Water
Fruit
Juice
Sandwiches/rolls
snacks
Cooler box/bag
Mosquito repellent
With Kids…
UV tents
More towels for drying and lying
Trunks, swimsuit, UV suit
Hats
Sunglasses
Flip flops
Buckets, spades, shovels, sieves, shapes
Inflatable armbands, rubber rings, dinghies
Children’s sun protection
Mosquito repellent
Bat and ball
Frisbee
Beach ball
Loose t shirts
Change of clothes
Snacks
Water
Sandwiches
Juice
Of course, carting all this to the beach will more than likely result in you spending the rest of your holiday flat on your back in recovery from your lindos donkey impression. You could try the alternative list:
Sun cream to share with whole family
Arrive wearing sunglasses, hat, etc
Towel each
Bucket and spade each child
Parasol
Water
Money for lunch at beach bar/chringuito