Hi, I’m Nick Simcock, an English Language coach. I help Italians to unlock their English. A transcript of this podcast can be found in the description.
English Summer Holiday Memories
Here in Italy the schools have closed for Summer and it’s holiday time again. If you are lucky enough to be able to take time off now to avoid the august crowds, then maybe you’re already on holiday, listening to this podcast on a beach, in the mountains or in a bustling city.
But what memories do you have of your summer holidays as a child? I don’t have many photographs of when I went on my family holidays in the 70’s and 80’s in England. We only had real film cameras back then and we didn’t take many photos compared to today, of course, that doesn't mean I don’t have some special memories.
I used to live in the Midlands in the UK and a common destination for us was Wales. One of my earliest memories was camping with my mum and dad and sister at Lake Bala. I remember standing in the middle of a blue tent as heavy rain pounded on the canvas and wind whipped the sides, watching little rivers of water flow all around us and wondering if the tent was going to protect us from the elements.
I do also have some sunny, although faded childhood memories of being at the seaside town of Tenby in South Wales in the mid 1970’s. Sandy beaches, buckets and spades, walks along the coast, old fishing villages, caravan parks, bed and breakfasts, fish and chips, ice cream, and, ‘fingers crossed, hope you’re lucky with the weather!’
And after the holiday when you were back home chatting with friends and neighbours the number one question was always, ‘how was the weather?’. Now I live in Italy and I find it interesting that the number one question after a holiday for Italians is ‘Come era il cibo? / how was the food?', a telling sign of different climates and different cultures.
The English dream of good holiday weather, warm sun and blue seas. By the end of the 1970’s, with more flights available and package holiday deals, for the first time in history the Brits were spending more on holidays abroad than at home. And showing off your tan to your neighbours once you got back to cold rainy England, was considered proof that the weather was amazing.
The British cultural change to holidaying abroad is represented in a classic British TV comedy series, which aired between 1975 and 1979, called Fawlty Towers. It starred the Monty Python legend John Cleese as a grumpy owner of an outdated seaside guest house. It made hilarious fun of the traditional British seaside holiday and further encouraged us to get on a plane and jet off to new glamorous foreign destinations. If you listen to my podcast to improve your English I fully recommend the series Fawlty Towers.
And so, what memories will you take home with you after this Summer? What memories do you see your children making? I wish all of you happy summer holidays!
A full transcript of this podcast can be found in the description. You can find out more about me on my website - speakwithnick.it
Ciao for now!
