A heartwarming story about two kids, Stuart and the narrator, who share a love for surfing and bond over their shared experiences in the summers with their mothers' work.
There were definite advantages to our mum being a suburban house cleaner. If my siblings or I were ever off sick from school, we might enter those other-worldly houses. Sure, there were plenty of modest ones, too, but even then there might be a pool table, or an adorable cocker spaniel. But mostly, we waited for summer. In the Christmas holidays, Tuesday was the day. Our mum worked with an Irishwoman named Stella, whom we loved.
She always said 'top of the mornin’ to ya!' She also smoked like a chimney. She had two kids of her own, and we drove to Mrs Manion’s house, in Monterey. (Important note: Mrs Manion had a pool.) Later we’d be in Caringbah, at the old man’s house, which was hot, with little to do – but the pool at Mrs Manion’s erased every other so-called hardship.As the summers rolled by, our numbers dwindled to just two: Stella’s son, Stuart, and me. Eldest sisters were out doing other things. My older brother had a summer job. I missed him but only slightly. He’d always played affected in some way, too good to be hanging round us losers, though Stuart and he were the same age. In the summer of ’86-’87, we were all saving money to surf. My brother already had a second-hand board, which I eyed and desperately coveted. Stuart felt exactly the same. Every Tuesday, he approached Stella like a runaway game-show host: 'Mum! I’ve got a deal for you! If I give you fifty bucks and you chip in another 80, I can get a used six-foot Jackson with a leg rope – 'Not far from the old man’s house, we found ourselves at the Force 9 surfboard factory. Stuart had already secured a deal with Stella when I found a small second-hand Gordon & Smith twin fin, with a swallow tail and a pink column of spray paint down the centre. And only $60! At Stuart’s urging, I sheepishly asked my mum if I could lay-by it with my savings – and miracle of miracles, she said ye
SURFING SUMMER CHILDHOOD FAMILY BOND
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Marise Payne and Stuart Ayres go their separate waysThe bedrock political couple are calling time after more than 15 years.
Read more »
Political split: Marise Payne and Stuart Ayres go their separate waysBedrock political couple call time after more than 15 years.
Read more »
Three heroic teen surf life savers rescue woman caught in rip at North Mullaloo beach7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
The Surf Coast and Bellarine towns where house prices rose mostSome coastal areas have risen by two-thirds in only five years, but many are on discount compared with the same time a year ago.
Read more »
California wharf collapses after heavy surf from major stormThree people were plunged into the sea after residents were warned to stay away from low-lying areas near the beaches.
Read more »
Man Arrested in Surf After Alleged $34 Million Meth FindA 30-year-old Greek national was arrested in the surf after allegedly possessing a car containing $34 million worth of methamphetamine.
Read more »