A Polish family on the Beach

Behind the cottage we have , what can very loosely be called,  a patio.
In actual fact, it is a square of concrete which is filled with sad looking , shade loving plants and the odd dog poo and mouse carcass, so today I thought I would go and buy some cheap and colourful plants and clean the whole place up.
I went to town, bought the plants , then took the dogs to the beach for a walk.
It was overcast and a little blowy when we got there, with small family knots camping out on the sand as the tide came in. So I sat on the promenade steps for a while, feeding the dogs their treat of Aldi Meatballs and people watched.
People Watching on a quite, dull Welsh beach proved to be an interesting study of just how small the world is.
There were four families on the one stretch of beach . A group of Polish adults without children. A Somali family having a Punic lunch. A Muslim family trying unsuccessfully to fly a selection of small kites and three older ladies from what sounded like the Midlands.
I was intrigued at the eclectic mix of it all as on one stretch of local beach.......... I realised that I was the only Welshman in sight!
One of the Muslim women, who was wearing an ankle length coat , headscarf and very trendy large oval sunglasses, swooped her kite close to us, and it's tail lashed me harmlessly around the head. She stopped still, and looked worried before I waved at her to let her know that it was ok .


Two of the Polish men came over to chat as I dolled out the meatballs , I offered one a German meatball after he pointed with a cackle at George chomping his way through his. He pulled a face and said it was not as good as Polish meatballs and he gestured over to his wife who in turn offered me a small square of spiced apple cake., which was lovely.
He told me that they lived in Irlam in Manchester .


It's a small world , is it not?


36 comments:

  1. I wish I lived nearer the beach especially in this heat. We talk to everyone as well, some may say I'm nosey ;)

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  2. Making human contact and friends as you go along...it's a beautiful world :)

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  3. Anonymous1:10 pm

    All in all...a lovely day.

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  4. Sometimes harmony is obtainable after all....though who'd have though it would have taken a packet of balls?

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  5. People are not as unfriendly as we sometimes make them out to be. Most are open to have a chat.
    You 'painted' a lovely picture here, John. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Small world? Well that's if you think 197,000,000 square miles is small. You should have said to the Polish lady, "Haven't you got any scotch eggs? I don't usually eat small squares of spiced apple cake."

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  7. Dogs and children the world over, are icebreakers... language barrier... no prob.
    Forget politicians, just send them as peace envoys.

    LLX

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  8. Anonymous1:26 pm

    I am not so sure about the global village but I think spiced apple cake makes it so much better.

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  9. That does sound nice. We live about 60 miles from the coast, and I don't go nearly often enough. Nothing like dipping yourself in salt water and people watching! Myrtle Beach (our most popular beach) is so tourist-y you're likely to see people from anywhere in the world, but most of the international visitors seem to be Canadians.

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  10. A Punic Lunch? Is that like the Punic Wars??

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  11. I’ve always said “dogs and Welshmen are people magnets”

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  12. I am laughing myself with the thought of the cackling Polish man pointing at George eating a German meatball. You are a people magnet John!

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  13. Just realised 'Doc' said people magnet. Not sure about the Welsh bit, just your charisma!!!

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  14. When I used to walk my Scotties, I can't do that now, I had more people stop to talk about them. Even people in cars. The first words they always said "Oh No, Scotties can I pet them " as my hopelessly friendly dogs were wiggling in delight.

    cheers, parsnip

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  15. Small world indeed John - like when you go on holiday and meet somebody who knows somebody you know.

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  16. You paint a good picture for us to imagine John x

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  17. What a delightful observation JG

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  18. The kite flying and sharing apple cake...a wonderful event.

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  19. Food is a great leveller

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  20. Gendobri. Hello in Polish. From my exercise book of Polish words. I have made it so I can speak to Polish people on the Warsaw train in the mornings.

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  21. People from other countries always have something interesting to offer. I don't understand those who just find other nationalities threatening. Our own culture is far from perfect and other perspectives are invigorating. So are you now googling recipes for Polish meatballs?

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  22. People from other countries always have something interesting to offer. I don't understand those who just find other nationalities threatening. Our own culture is far from perfect and other perspectives are invigorating. So are you now googling recipes for Polish meatballs?

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  23. It is nice to listen and watch the world once in a while.

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  24. What a lovely day. Never mind the meat balls, it is the recipe for the spiced apple cake I would love.

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  25. Simply delightful ...
    x

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  26. You are such a nice bloke John. Wish sometimes I could break the ice and make more conversations with folk.

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  27. It sounds like an absolutely perfect day. You and the pooches certainly draw the crowds.

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  28. Anonymous7:01 pm

    Aldi...is it as confusing there as it is here? I had no idea it was international until just now.

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  29. I see very few people when I dare to venture out. It's too hot to leave the air conditioning.

    Love,
    Janie

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  30. People will always talk to someone with a dog. I always do.

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  31. I would want to pet your dogs if i saw them on the beach.

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  32. Small world indeed.

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  33. Your dogs have you trained, John. Meatballs for a snack.
    Have a great Wednesday!

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  34. I am continually amazed at how connected we all are, if we just talk for a few minutes we find the common ground!

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  35. It is ... I used to live in Irlam, Manchester :-)

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