Thursday, July 30, 2015

The Longest Ride

Packing unsuitable shoes, and books I'll never read. It must be vacation time...


Actually I did finish the one on the right. Its an up up all-nighter, but less in a Girl On A Train way and more of a trainwreck, unlikeable couple way.  A 28 year old author and she looks like this: no fair!

 
So we're back at the Family Vacation Centre at the University of Santa Barbara, with eight other families. It's our 11th year. You know the place... The students take the kids on adventures while parents do whatevs. Basically you don't see the kids all week. "Can't call it family" said one of the kids. Whatevs. 


Harley is back east visiting grandparents so just three sprogs this year..,

Temps have been mid -80's all week, unheard of. Its usually foggy and cold on the CA coast..




And for the 11th year running, all us mothers are back in the beginner surf lessons. We are all in our 50's. Our goal is to stay up for 10 feet. #DreamBig. We aim to rip, tear and lacerate the waves, ever the whilst suspecting that scrambling up and going along is our destiny.  


Its so easy on the sand

And being over 50, these are the sort of conversations we have out in the surf:

Me: Zack, the instructor, looks like that actor thingumy whose father is whatsisname. He was in The Longest Ride. 
Friend: I know exactly who you mean. 
Me: (remembering five mins later) It was Scott Eastwood.
Friend: No, that wasn't who I was thinking of. (Nodding to Zack) So he was in that movie?
Me: Yeah, Scott Eastwood is teaching us surfing. 
Friend: So The Longest Ride is a surf movie?
Me: No, it was about bullriding. 
Friend: Makes sense.

Our fantastic instructors, Zach, Dom and Nena. Look at Zach on left. See?


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36 comments:

  1. linda tJuly 31, 2015 at 2:05 PM

    Isn't it funny, I read Among The Ten Thousand Things Two Weeks Ago and I can barely remember what happened in it. Enjoy Santa Barbara!

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    1. About Last WeekendNovember 28, 2015 at 3:45 PM

      Me too!. In fact I've read thousands of books since the hols and don't remember any (and actually cut out half way in many, which seems to have become a habit)

      Delete
  2. WendyMcLeodMacKnightAugust 1, 2015 at 2:59 AM

    You are a wonder! I think I may be one of the few people not gobsmacked by girl on a train - though I think it will make a wonderful movie! Have a great day!

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    1. About Last WeekendNovember 28, 2015 at 3:48 PM

      My father did not like the excessive drinking throughout, found it depressing

      Delete
  3. Flora FascinataAugust 1, 2015 at 3:27 AM

    You make me giggle! Happy vacation to the Brettkelly family and your friends! :D x

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  4. La ContessaAugust 1, 2015 at 10:38 AM

    I wondered where you were!!I think this is MY 4th year with you in SANTA BARBARA!!!!Love the surf lesson.........did YOU stay up??!!

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    1. About Last WeekendNovember 28, 2015 at 3:52 PM

      I can stay up till count of five (if you count quickly)

      Delete
  5. ingeAugust 2, 2015 at 9:21 PM

    Laughing so much at the over 50 comments welcome to my club. Looks like a great trip.

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    1. About Last WeekendNovember 28, 2015 at 3:55 PM

      Love seeing the minty green bag on your blog, reminds me of summer and sea. Hope you're well Inge

      Delete
  6. SarahAugust 4, 2015 at 2:33 AM

    I'm glad it's not just me (re conversation).

    I'm reading a Richard Hannay collection (39 Steps etc) this summer on my Kindle and it's taking me weeks, but I'm loving every minute.

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  7. PatAugust 5, 2015 at 8:32 AM

    Super photos. Your conversations will get even more imponderable later.
    Thank Heaven we can still giggle at it.

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    1. About Last WeekendNovember 28, 2015 at 3:57 PM

      Yes, we have our future in our sights with Mum's emails.

      Delete
  8. HeidiAugust 6, 2015 at 4:48 AM

    I always think your idea of a family vacation is just the best. Kind of like camping, but a bit more comfortable, and the kids are taken off and entertained more like a resort. I'm sure they have the best memories from all the holidays there. I'm upset that you didn't read Watchman though - I want to know if it's worth reading… so many mixed reviews.

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    1. About Last WeekendNovember 28, 2015 at 4:01 PM

      It's been by my bed for months, too scared to read it.

      Delete
  9. libbyAugust 10, 2015 at 12:44 AM

    Yep, those middle aged conversations...a bit like a code but we get there in the end eh? and I expected a pic of you doing a rap squat before getting on that board....glad you had a great holibobs...x

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    1. About Last WeekendNovember 28, 2015 at 4:04 PM

      Good to let our hair down- and out and scraggy - and not worry about - that is the great thing about being over 50 - you stop giving a **&@

      Delete
  10. TrishAugust 10, 2015 at 11:56 PM

    You always have such a great time here - and this year looks just as brilliant.
    I spend my life having conversations like that!

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    1. About Last WeekendNovember 28, 2015 at 4:05 PM

      Love seeing the Rhine cruise on your blog today Trish.

      Delete
  11. UnknownAugust 14, 2015 at 9:50 AM

    Looks like fun in the sun!! Enjoy!
    xx

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    1. About Last WeekendNovember 28, 2015 at 4:07 PM

      Twas! Love the sssparkles over your place today, Heather

      Delete
  12. Jen LawrenceAugust 18, 2015 at 8:26 AM

    Great post. I've missed you! I tried wake boarding and it nearly killed me so good on you on the surfing front. I wish you lived closer. You seem such fun!

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    1. ingeSeptember 27, 2015 at 11:34 AM

      Hope you are keeping well just dropped in to say hello. Tend to be on Instagram more now. Looks like a fun holiday😍

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    2. About Last WeekendNovember 28, 2015 at 4:08 PM

      Hi Inge, yes must rev up my instagram account, have not done that for six months

      Delete
    3. About Last WeekendNovember 28, 2015 at 4:09 PM

      Hi Jen, have not tried wake boarding yet! One for the bucket list as Cy would say...

      Delete
  13. ThudSeptember 16, 2015 at 4:54 AM

    Makes me homesick for Ca which considering I'm scouse is rather strange.

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  14. libbySeptember 29, 2015 at 11:23 PM

    Hello?

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  15. DaniBPOctober 20, 2015 at 4:14 PM

    Miss you very much. And guess what, I was listening to an excellent interview on the cbc last week with a very charming and intelligent documentary filmmaker with an amazing accent... it was your sister!
    I hope you'll be back soon to let us know how you are and what you've been up to, XO

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    1. About Last WeekendNovember 28, 2015 at 4:14 PM

      Thanks Dani, my four (arrgh!) months off was purely procrastination

      Delete
  16. Rob-bearOctober 29, 2015 at 1:08 AM

    We spent most of our summer moving from house to condo (the kind of thing one does, sometimes, when one is 70). Much less work not that we're (more or less) settled in.

    The family looks "all growed up" — or at least well on the way.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  17. PatNovember 4, 2015 at 4:01 AM

    Thought of you with great admiration last week whist visiting Santiago de Compostela.

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