I have promised Paddington that I would take him to the Pleasure Beach, and I thought he might like to come to the Sandcastle Waterpark with me as I have been asked to conduct a Pool Lifeguard exam there, and I can show him around inside.
I knew it would be an early start … 7am, which is not normally a problem. However, I didn’t realise that the clocks would go forward that weekend, so that we would lose an hour’s sleep … Hmm, I’ll have to tell Paddington gently, as it will feel like we’re getting up at 4am and it will still be dark. I’d better make sure I’ve got everything that I need ready for the morning as it will be a quick breakfast and then straight out of the door.
Well … the early start didn’t quite go to plan, my alarm didn’t go off … Argh … I woke up at 6.20am to birdsong and raced out of bed. I managed to get Paddington a drink of milk and a slice of toast and Marmalade, so he was quite happy. I picked up my rucksack and we jumped in the car and set off for the Sandcastle Waterpark. Fortunately, everyone else’s alarm mustn’t have gone off either as we arrived there first.
I’m going to let Paddington take over as I should really go and speak to some of the Sandcastle staff before we start the exam …
Hello, it’s Paddington here …
It is a beautiful, crisp and very quiet morning with the sun just coming up, and Elaine took some photos of me in front of the Pleasure Beach, and by the entrance to the Sandcastle Waterpark while we were waiting for everyone to arrive. I really do think the photos look very good … especially the ones of me.
Even though it is early, it isn’t too cold, just a little chilly, but I am glad I have my warm coat and hat on, and that Elaine made me a little breakfast. Oh, she’s calling me over, I believe it’s time to go inside. She says it will be very warm in the Waterpark and I might not need my coat. I think I’ll sit down in front of the waterfall and pose for another photo … I rather like doing this …
I’m making sure I hold onto Elaine’s hand as she shows me around. It’s such a big place, that I don’t want to get lost and it gets quite noisy when the waterslides start up. I must say, it looks very much like parts of the Amazon Rainforest from Peru, and I am really looking forward to going back for a holiday there in June.
I decide to walk up the steps to the terrace to get a better view, so that I am overlooking the pool … and I spy a hot tub. Just the ticket for a little bear early on a Sunday morning … a nice relaxing spa pool all to myself, and from here I can see Elaine with a group of lifeguards on the poolside. It looks like they are about to start the exam. She said that she would be finished by about 10.30am and then we can go to the Hive cafe and have a nice breakfast … I can think about what I am going to eat while I’m relaxing in the hot tub … Mmm, tea, and Marmalade sandwiches with a sticky bun … or two.
I think I might stay in the hot tub for a while, at least until she’s finished with the exam. Phew, she was right, it is very warm in here … just like being in the Rainforest … well, almost.
All that’s missing now is a lovely cup of tea. Elaine must have read my thoughts as she had one of the staff bring me a cup of tea, and I waved to her to say thank you … I could get used to this.
Eleven weeks and Six days to go until we fly to Peru on our adventure … I’m so excited .