Oscar is enjoying himself. 17 months old and he is trying out his very first bucket and spade. The sand is not really quite wet enough to make proper sandcastles but Oscar doesn't know any better. This dry, powdery, warm stuff is just right for him. Just right to dig your toes in. He waits patiently whilst his mother conscientiously daubs his face with sun cream and gently rubs it in. It makes him a bit sticky and the sand sticks to it but he doesn't worry. He totters down to the edge of the waves with his attendant parents and waits again while they hold him between them, fitting on a special, less absorbent swimming nappy and dressing him in a pair of smart shorts, so his trousers don't get wet and he doesn't sink like a stone under the extra weight of sea water in his nappy. The wonders of modern technology!
At last he is able to play. I watch from my comfy beach chair and absorb, not sea water, but the delights of the sand, the hovering sea gulls, the gently bobbing boats and cool blue expanse of sparkling sea in front of me. A girl of about eight or nine years old in a red swimming costume is making a very accomplished attempt at swimming up and down in the waves, whilst her mother sits in a pretty sundress watching her and calling her to stay close by. Oscar and his mummy and daddy form a triple silhouette against the bright sunlight, interacting together in traditional family beach postures along the edge of the ocean. Everyone is having fun.
Every now and then Oscar turns back to see if we are watching him. I wait till he is facing back up the beach towards me and wave. Grandad waves too. Oscar goes on playing. Later his mother tells us 'Oscar loved it when you waved at him. He kept smiling and smiling.' We enjoyed the Oscar show. We are catching up on all his developments these past few months when we have been living far apart. But Oscar enjoyed it too! Right now Oscar is at the centre of his world and that's a wonderful place to be. It won't last forever. Oscar will discover there are other people in the world, who demand attention, help and treats. Maybe a sibling will bring change in that department! But for now Oscar is thoroughly enjoying the Oscar show. 'Look at me' he says, although we don't hear the words. 'Look at me!'
