My memories of summer bring me great joy. The house I grew up in wasn't big, but we had a good size yard and a decent sized swimming pool. And the backyard and pool are the best memories I have of summer as a child. I have endless memories of being in the pool with my sisters and friends. Dad would be firing up the barbecue and making the most delicious salads while Mum was greeting her parents who would turn up with wonderful homemade pastries for dessert. The weather would be anywhere from balmy to absolutely stifling! And it was wonderful.

The days seemed to stretch on forever. We would stay in the pool until well after sundown. Our energy would be renewed simply because Dad would switch on the underwater lights in the pool. I think breakfast was about the only meal we ate indoors during summer. Lunch and dinner we used to sit beside the pool on the timber furniture Dad built.

Mum would warn us not to swim straight after a meal. But she never said anything about running around like idiots directly after a meal. If we weren't running, we were riding our bikes or tearing around on roller skates and skateboards.

When I think of summer as a kid, I have an image of my Dad smoking his pipe, playing the piano accordion. We thought it was great! There was always a group of friends and family who would drop in and end up staying for a barbecue and a swim. There always seemed to be lots of food and laughter.

Nowadays, with my own family we are hopefully creating our own happy memories. We don't have a pool but are fortunate enough to live quite close to the water. We get up early, head down to the water. My husband goes spear fishing and is usually able to catch enough fish for a great meal. The rest of us are splashing around, snorkeling and playing Frisbee in the water. By the time the sun is too hot to bear we are on our way home.

Afternoons are spent either cycling or bush walking. We are fortunate enough that my in-laws live only a 40 minute walk from our home. On weekends we put on our walking boots and make the trek through beautiful bushland to Nan and Pop's house. There our son refuels on milkshake and a slice of fresh baked cake before we make the trek back home again.

Hopefully, when our son is an adult, he will look back on his childhood and have fond memories of his summer days, filled with fun, food and laughter.

Learn more about this author, Aurora N.
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