Yesterday it was 27degrees. It was too hot to move. So we decided to head to the beach. Tynemouth is only 25 minutes away in the car and has a lovely long beach with road access at one side so Daddy could drop Elliott, Arthur and I off on the beach with our mountain of stuff and go and park the car.

We took a picnic and a giant quilt to lie on and our umbrella. When it is too hot the beach is great as there is always a lovely breeze off the sea to take the edge off it. We put our blanket down next to a little stream. Arthur and Elliott played for hours and paddled in the sea and made sandcastles. They helped lots of other children make things too and made some friends. They had lunch and then had a nice long nap under the umbrella so Daddy and I could have a long sunbathe.

When they woke up they played more in the stream and we found a big crab which they both got to touch as I held it. Though they thought it was hilarious when it ran sideways up my arm!

We had a fantastic time. We have never spent the whole day at the beach before. I think we will again as it went really well. Daddy went a bit pink so is getting me to cover him in Aloe Vera at every opportunity. No doubt he will wake up this morning and be completely brown as he is lucky like that.