It was a tedious, exhausting journey.
No point in asking if we were nearly there yet; we were always nearly there, just as we were always nearly rich, nearly united, nearly content.
But soon we were slithering joyfully down the grassy slopes below the crumbling ramparts, whose only function for us was as a backdrop for hide-and-seek.
The hot sun scorched us scarlet, then burnished us golden-brown.
Our parents would rediscover each other, a fleeting hiatus in their warfare.
On leaving I’d cry, watching the ruins fade from view.
One day I’ll live here, I thought.
And now I do.
Click to get on board with Friday Fictioneers
Not really fiction, I suppose… well perhaps the bit about ‘burnished golden-brown’ since I was always a freckler. 🙂 Thanks to Rochelle, for her untiring efforts on behalf of Friday Fictioneers, and for choosing my photo thus allowing me to wax lyrical about my adopted home.
castelsarrasin 
I loved “we were always nearly there, just as we were always nearly rich, nearly united, nearly content”
LikeLiked by 3 people
I was going to write exactly the same as Neil! 🙂
LikeLike
And so was I!
LikeLike
Me too!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Neil.
LikeLike
“Our parents would rediscover each other, a fleeting hiatus in their warfare.” Tells so much and paints a picture.
LikeLike
Many thanks, Tanille.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sandra,
There’s so much to love in this story. “The hot sun scorched us scarlet, then burnished us golden-brown.” Brilliant line. (heading for the beach this morning, hoping not to come back scorched). Great story and photo.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Many thanks Rochelle. Hope you’re enjoying your visit, you certainly seem to be making the most of the sea!
LikeLike
The first half almost reads like a metaphor for our times. Great story, rich and colourful.
LikeLike
Many thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those lovely memories of childhood summer days, lovingly expressed. Well done.
LikeLike
Thanks, Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sandra I always enjoy your richly textured stories.
LikeLike
Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Sandra.
LikeLike
Lovely piece of autobiography, Sandra. How nice that you live in the place of your childhood dreams!
LikeLike
Thanks for reading, Penny. Sorry I’m a bit late here, it’s been a hectic week.
LikeLike
Pingback: It’s Gonna Be a Bumpy Ride – Friday Fictioneers | A Dalectable Life
This was beautifully written, Sandra. And I, for one, am happy you managed to have your happy ending, despite the challenges getting there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww thanks, Dale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pleasure was mine 🙂
LikeLike
I loved the writing and story and picture.
There was nothing to not love.
Well done.
LikeLike
Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for recalling the memories of my holidays in your part of the world. Fabulous
LikeLike
Glad you had happy memories of Dorset, Michael.
LikeLike
A delightful story with a happy ending. I hope the hoards of tourists, of which I was one last year, don’t cause you too many problems!
LikeLike
Thanks, Keith. I tend to be very tolerant of the grockles. If it weren’t for them, half the shops in our sleepy little town wouldn’t manage to be open for the rest of the year for us. As it is we’re all charity shops and fast food outlets. 🙂
LikeLike
Wonderfully written story, Sandra.
I’ve read, “All fiction is largely autobiographical and much autobiography is, of course, fiction.” ― P.D. James
Now if I were to say that I ever browned or burnished, that would be impossible fiction. Thank you for the inspiring pic.
Well done!
LikeLike
Thanks for reading, Bill. They do say ‘write what you know’ and I draw heavily on my childhood for tales of dysfunctional families. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
And you do it so well, Sandra.
LikeLike
A lovely place to live. I have visited Studland’s and Lulworth cove a few times when I lived in Dorset.
LikeLike
Yes, it’s beautiful. Sometimes I find I’ve been taking it for granted and then I’ll have a moment of revelation! 🙂 Again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Memories of my own childhood holidays!
LikeLike
Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this! I’m crazy about castles, and your story is delightful.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
A sad, but beautifully woven story. I’m happy for you, that you were able to live in this place of nice memories. Thanks for the inspiring photo this week, Sandra!
LikeLike
Thanks for reading, Brenda!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely story, Sandra. What a perfect ending 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for reading, Linda.
LikeLike
Beautifully done and I loved how it was bracketed by “nearly there” and then “now I do” 🙂
LikeLike